Rayman DS

Rayman 2: The Great Escape is a 3D platformer which is played from a third-person perspective and allows the player control over the camera, though in some situations this control is limited to only certain angles. At several points in the game the player loses control during cutscenes, which typically show dialogue between characters.

By collecting lums (small bodies, or shards of magical energy), the player unlocks more information about the game world and its back story, which can be read by standing still and pressing a specific button for some time. Some back story is also obtained through (optional) instructions from Murfy, a "flying encyclopaedia" who provides explanations on all kinds of gameplay elements.

The Glade of Dreams is invaded by robotic pirates, led by Admiral Razorbeard, with the intent to conquer and enslave. The crisis prompts volunteers, including Rayman and his friend Globox, to form resistance groups. Rayman and Globox confront an army of robots. Rayman battles valiantly with energy spheres, while Globox, despite his fear, aids by creating rain to rust the robots.

However, a telepathic message from Ly the Fairy reveals devastating news: the pirates have destroyed the Primordial Core, scattering the world's energy, and have captured most of the warriors. This loss strips Rayman of his powers, leading to his capture. As Admiral Razorbeard gloats, Rayman urges Globox to escape and find Ly, defiantly vowing to resist.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape was originally conceptualised as a sidescrolling 2D platformer, like the first game. Development on the prototype began in early 1996 with a team of six people and a budget of 10 million francs. It was slated to be released on the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Windows in the fourth quarter of that year. The prototype of Rayman 2 featured some usage of prerendered bitmaps of 3D computer models, differing from the hand-drawn presentation of its predecessor.

In July 1996, German magazine MAN!AC previewed the original 2D version of Rayman 2, describing a storyline in which robot invaders polluted Rayman's world. The game featured new mechanics allowing Rayman to move between foreground and background sections, alongside expanded combat abilities. The preview also identified the returning fairy Betilla and a scientist named Fudge as supporting characters.

Rayman 2: The Great Escape received critical acclaim upon release, with the Windows version receiving a silver sales award from Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA).

Jeff Lundrigan for Next Generation reviewed the Nintendo 64 version of the game for and stated that "with its cute character designs and slick, polished gameplay, Rayman 2 is one of the few titles that can honestly claim to have something to offer any gamer of any age or skill." IGN writer Brandon Justice praised it as "the most impressive feat of game design and execution the platforming genre has ever seen" and recommended players to forget about Crash Bandicoot, Super Mario 64 (both 1996), and Banjo-Kazooie (1998).

A sequel Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc was released in 2003, Rayman 2 influenced the development of Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles (2001). During development, In Utero lead programmer Diego Fernandez-Bravo named Rayman 2, Crash Bandicoot and Shadow of the Beast among the platform games that the team considered to have the best gameplay, stating that Evil Twin borrowed some camera techniques from those games. Project manager Stephan Hernandez also said that the team aimed for a level of gameplay quality comparable to Rayman 2.

Rayman 2 also influenced the development of Psychonauts (2005). In a 2021 interview, Psychonauts director Tim Schafer named Rayman 2, alongside Super Mario 64 and Skies of Arcadia, as games that inspired Psychonauts, particularly citing his interest in the feeling of an epic story and a large world to explore.