The environments are stunning, especially when seen in fluid motion. The first thing you'll notice is that Rayman 2 is an absolutely beautiful game. It's not that the polygon counts are insanely high, because they're not. Nor is the animation stunning. What makes Rayman 2 so wonderful to look at are the textures, the glass-smooth frame rate, and the distinctive level architecture.
Colors are rich and full, and range all over the spectrum.
One level will have you traipsing through a dismal green and brown swamp, while the next you'll be jumping over gorgeously textured lily pads floating down a misty blue river. The levels put these textures to excellent use, with delightfully stunted and crooked architecture that looks like it lept out of some dark recess of Tim Burton's mind. While there are a few lacking sections spread throughout the game, for the most part Rayman 2's designers managed to keep the manic motif consistant, with excellent results. In addition, the character designs are top notch. Rayman, his friends and enemies look right at home in the twisted environments, sporting some seriously odd and creative looks.