Rayman 2: The Great Escape (PC) Boss FAQ
Written by Thunderbird
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Copyright Notice
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This FAQ is copyright (c) 2002 by Sean Taylor
This FAQ is merely intended to assist you, the reader, with the bosses that you
will find in Rayman 2: The Great Escape for the PC. You may not post it
elsewhere without first asking for permission. You may not modify this FAQ and
then post it as your original work. You may not use this FAQ for money making
purposes (this includes running ads on the same page as this FAQ). If this FAQ
is posted on your site (with permission), it may not be placed in an area that
requires a special membership (paid or otherwise) to access. If you would like
to ask permission to post this FAQ on your site, please email me at
thunderbird@shatteredstar.com and I'll probably allow you to do so.
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Copyright Notice
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Revision History
V0.9- First version of the FAQ, mostly complete
V1.0- Completed the game itself, changes done to the final boss (once I reached
his second phase)
Table of Contents
1. FAQ introduction
2. List of bosses
2.1. Axel
2.2. Umber
2.3. Foutch
2.4. Clark
2.5. Grolgoth (Razorbeard) Phase One
2.6. Grolgoth (Razorbeard) Phase Two
3. Conclusion
1. FAQ Introduction
When I came upon the first boss of Rayman 2 not long after buying this great
game, I was completely baffled about how to proceed. I did manage to figure it
out without having to consult any online sources, but later on when I looked at
GameFAQs (the best site for gaming information IMO), there was no specific FAQ
tailored to the bosses of this game, and finding the information in the single
complete walkthrough that was posted (which wasn't even for the PC version of
the game) proved hard. So I decided to make a FAQ tailored specifically for
taking out the bosses of the game while trying to avoid spoiling the plot by
describing each level in detail.
2. List of Bosses
2.1. Axel
Not too terribly difficult to overcome, but not too easy for the first boss. As
noted by Ly, you have to somehow drop the stalagmite in the rear on top of him.
Problem is, he's nowhere near it, and the shots you fire at him have no effect
in making him back up. You also cannot pursue him up the slope because it is
slippery and will cause you to come right back down. The key to defeating him
is the purple lums that wander above him. Grab onto the first one and you'll
see the second one come into view. Jump off and repeat the process. Make sure
you only make your jump shortly after he fires one of his icicles at you or
else you could easily fall back onto the slope and have to start over. Move
around on the lum to avoid his shots, as if one hits you, it will knock you
off. Once you reach the last lum, jump off and fire at the stalagmite at the
top (Rayman's shots will go directly for it). You only need to do this once to
take him out of commission. Afterwards, scale the lums again (Axel was changed
into a purple lum over the last gap) and collect the 1st mask. If you revisit
his level to collect more yellow lums, you will not need to face him again.
Obviously though, you will need to scale the lums again, and the boss music for
him will play while you're doing this.
2.2. Umber
It is a mystery why this weird boss is the guardian of the Sanctuary of Stone
and Fire. He doesn't even require a strategy to defeat, but since the game
lists him as a guardian, I'll cover his strategy here. No directions are given
to you for defeating him, but it's very simple. After making him activate,
you'll see him stop at an area just below a yellow lum (it won't be there if
you return to this stage, but he'll be somewhere in the center). Simply jump on
his head (he won't harm you) and watch him carry you to the edge. Once you
regain control, you will need to jump off his head quickly or else Rayman
cannot jump off in time. If you manage to end up off the sides (you will need
to go down once to place the blue crystal), use the purple lum that came down
here to get back up. Go on to collect the 2nd mask. Because facing this boss is
required to get across to the end, you will meet him every time you come to
this area, even if you already have the mask here.
2.3. Foutch
This boss is very difficult. You might think at first that he's in the
Sanctuary of Rock and Lava, but this is not the case (he's underneath it in the
next level). During the introduction where he's appearing, he will cause Rayman
to lose his ability to fly with his helicopter (you really think the game would
have let you keep that ability after this stage?) and the fight will take place
on the ground (mostly). Once the battle begins, it is well advised for you to
run around the room jumping to avoid his blazes of fire (if he shoots a
vertical one, move to a side to dodge it). Once you come up to a spider web,
jump on it and shoot the stalagmite to drop it on his head and shave away
roughly 1/3 of his life bar. After the first hit, he'll add the vertical fire
streams into the mix and the frequency of his shots will increase. Once he gets
nailed with a stalagmite for the 2nd time, the shot frequency will be even
greater, but no new tricks will be utilized. Drop the last stalagmite on his
head and watch him perish. Go on to collect the 3rd mask. Thankfully, you do
not need to face him again should you revisit this stage, but Rayman will still
lose his helicopter ability upon leaving (either through the entrance or the
exit).
2.4. Clark
You may be wondering why Clark is classified as a boss. He seemed pretty
friendly in the Menhir Hills. If you look closely during the boss introduction,
you will notice a big box on his back. Clark is being controlled by one of the
pirates and you will have to destroy the box controlling him (hitting him
directly has no effect). Hitting the box is easier said than done though. Most
of the time he's headed straight for you to try and toss you around the room.
In order to hit the box on his back, you need to make him fall flat on his
face. Since he won't do it on his own, you need to find a device to make him
trip. The three buttons lining the back wall will do the trick, but if you
remember from earlier levels, you will know that these buttons are timed (they
will deactivate after a predetermined amount of time). All three need to be
active to have an effect. Once the forcefield over the red line is active, jump
across it and Clark will follow, tripping over it. Shoot the box on his back
(you don't have time to charge a shot) to damage it. You may have time to trip
him up a second time before the forcefield shuts off, so take advantage of the
opportunity. It will take a bit to bring him down, but with enough
perseverance, you should manage it. Clark will revert to normal after the box
is destroyed.
2.5. Grolgoth (Razorbeard) Phase One
This guy is a real pain in the neck. His life bar is huge, and hitting him with
the right weapon doesn't do much damage to him. Your shots have absolutely no
effect on him. In order to hit him, you need to make one of the bombs hit him
(shooting them will cause them to rebound). However, direct shots will make him
move out of the way. One strategy consists of shooting the three bombs in
different directions, making him hit one as he scuttles out of the way of
another. Or you can send all three while Rayman is going left or right and you
might be able to hit him. It is fairly difficult however. Razorbeard has some
other attacks to supplement his bomb flinging however. If he takes a hit, he'll
be in the air for a bit shooting energy balls at you (similar to the other
pirates' weapons). Dodge these as best you can (it may be helpful to let go of
your strafe key/button). His other attack involves him flying high up into the
air and coming down HARD. This is often easy to avoid as long as you are moving
(do not use the strafe function or you will take a hit). If he misses you with
this, he may try and step on you. If you are far enough away, he'll miss and
resume his bomb chucking. This first phase of his takes only 3 hits with barrel
bombs, and it can be quite easy once you figure out a pattern.
2.6. Grolgoth (Razorbeard) Phase Two
Thought the first battle was bad? This gets even harder. In between the battles
with Razorbeard you will see a cinematic (in the Rayman style of cinematics)
where Rayman seems to get some more power (no power is actually described
though). Rayman gets some encouragement from Ly, finds a shell in the Crow's
Nest (which seems to have taken a liking to him) and hops on. You will complete
this phase of the battle while on the flying shell.
Razorbeard is even harder to defeat here. His life bar is unchanged from what
he was at when he tried to stomp Rayman and fell through. Rayman cannot fire
while on the shell, and since he's on it for the duration of this battle, you
need to find a way to damage the Grolgoth machine. Simple. Notice the two
cavern areas in this small area? One of the two (it's random) contains a
sparkling item at the far end. Have Rayman fly over it and he will gain 5 web
shots. It can be a little difficult getting back out, especially in late in the
battle. Once you get back out, shoot both hands that are holding onto poles and
watch Grolgoth burn its butt for a little bit. After taking a hit to the lava
the first time, Razorbeard will launch 2 energy shots at you (accompanied by a
voice quote from him, which varies). They are unlike normal shots in that they
seek you out. Going straight, they are faster than you, so be sure to zigzag
about. If they both hit something (other than Rayman's shell), Razorbeard may
or may not replenish them (it's been variable in my experience). Simply
continue the pattern of shooting his hands and watching him burn for a bit. If
no energy shots are present when you nail Razorbeard, you can expect him to
remedy that quickly after he gets up off the lava. You may or may not want to
save that extra shot you'll have after hitting Razorbeard twice, it's your call
(I've trashed him both ways). Should you choose not to hit Razorbeard with it,
fire it off to get the weapon energy sparkles to reappear. Once Razorbeard has
taken 4 hits on the lava, he will increase the stakes by causing the lava to
rise approximately 1-2 seconds after you enter a cavern area. You'll need to
get out quickly. I think it takes about 7-8 hits on the lava to put an end to
his machine. Once you have done this, simply sit back and watch the ending! A
couple of things to note: If you die (by hitting the walls or the lava),
Razorbeard's life bar will reset to what it was when the battle began. All of
his attacks are reset too, but Rayman's life bar is reduced since he bit the
dust. Second note: It might not be obvious, but you will have to refight this
boss every time you visit the Crow's Nest (no real need to revisit this place,
as it has no Lums or cages), but the opening level cinematic will be skipped.
3. Conclusion
I'd like to thank the following groups:
UbiSoft for making this great game
GameFAQs for posting this FAQ
Have I missed anything? Do you have a strategy that I don't know about? Feel
free to email me at thunderbird@shatteredstar.com and I will add your tip here
(and give you proper credit of course).
