Rayman Legends' single-player has gamers play as Murphy and Rayman

Rayman is on auto-pilot for a good portion of the game.

In an interview with Official Nintendo Magazine, Emile Morel, the lead game designer of Rayman Legends,  revealed that in the game's single-player mode, gamers will play as Murphy the frog for a good portion of the adventure. Players will control Murphy with the GamePad's touchscreen while the AI automatically controls Rayman.

Morel: "You have to open the paths for him, you have to kill enemies for him to make sure he can survive. You are the protector of Rayman."

"Not the whole game is like this - you have specific levels for Murphy and the GamePad and more classic levels when you are playing as Rayman from beginning to the end. Half of the game, maybe not half but a good portion of the game, you'll have to play as Murphy."

Morel eplained that the game was designed in this manner to ensure players use the GamePad even when playing alone, telling the publication "It's important that they have the new device and the new gameplay experience."

Some gamers might not like the sound of this, but just about everyone who's played it says it's awesome, and many are saying it's a must-buy. I'm pretty sure Ubisoft's gameplay decisions will be vindicated by the first wave of reviews, although some hardcore fans of the limbless hero will be disappointed by its somewhat unorthodox play-style. Gameplay trailer after the break.

Source: Official Nintendo Magazine