The Woods of Light

‘Prepare yourself for a great journey.’ —The Grand Minimus

The Woods of Light, also known as the Clearing, is the first level in Rayman 2: The Great Escape and its remakes. It follows Rayman and Globox's escape from the Buccaneer, and is the first level in all versions of the game but the Game Boy Color adaptation, in which it doesn't appear at all. It is a tutorial level without enemies and significantly shorter than the other levels in the game. This is where Rayman learns that Ly the Fairy was captured by the pirates and then decides to set her free.

The Woods of Light The Woods of Light ← The Buccaneer (escape) The Fairy Glade → {{{connected to}}} Original version After being separated from Globox, Rayman starts looking for his friend and finds himself in these peaceful woods. He meets Murfy, who arrives to teach him the basics of the game's controls as he walks past the Stones of Thought. A few mosquitoes briefly appear in the Woods of Light. File:The Hall of Doors N64 01 The Woods of Light.jpg The Spiral Door in the Hall of Doors which takes Rayman to the Woods of Light Rayman soon finds the first cage in the game, which contains the first yellow Lum he will collect. He has to go down a waterfall, and then up a small valley to find three baby Globoxes crying. They temporarily calm down when they see Rayman, but start crying again when they learn he has no idea where their father is. Rayman then asks where Ly is, and the babies burst in tears, telling him she was captured by the pirates. Rayman then decides to head for the Fairy Glade, where she is help captive, and frees a group of Teensies who argue over who of them is the king. If he has collected the five yellow Lums in the level, he will be able to use the Hall of Doors and leave the place.

The Woods of Light The Woods of Light ← The Buccaneer (escape) The Fairy Glade → {{{connected to}}} Dreamcast version The level is almost identical to that in the original version, though it is graphically enhanced. Popolopoï and colourful birds can be found in the Dreamcast version. This Purple Lum will help Rayman find the Globox Village. The Spiral Door in the Isle of Doors which leads to the Woods of Light At the end of the level, a purple Lum giving access to Globox Village can be found, even though Rayman will have to get Ly's silver Lum in the Fairy Glade first. Notably, the Hall of Doors is replaced by the Isle of Doors in the Dreamcast version.

The Clearing The Clearing The Clearing ← The Buccaneer (escape) The Fairy Glade → {{{connected to}}} PlayStation version The level was significantly remodelled in the PlayStation version, but very little actually changes in Rayman's progression. The waterfall at the beginning of the level is totally different, and the part where Rayman has to climb between two walls was replaced by several pillars and a rope ladder. Murfy doesn't appear and the advice is given by Ly instead. The waterfall at the beginning of the level Three Baby Globoxes crying The Spiral Door in the Hall of Doors which leads to the Clearing Compared to the original version, there are twice as many Yellow Lums and only one cage.

The Woods of Light The Woods of Light The Woods of Light ← The Buccaneer (escape) The Fairy's Glade → None PlayStation 2 version In Rayman Revolution, this level may only be accessed once, and the beginning area has been completely remodelled. This is where Rayman acquires his magic fist from the Grand Minimus, who gives him a Silver Lum.

External links The Woods of Light playthrough at YouTube (PC version) The Clearing (The Woods of Light) playthrough at YouTube (Sony PlayStation version) The Woods of Light playthrough at YouTube (Sony PlayStation 2 version)