Darktoon
- This article is about the character's role in Rayman fan games. For the similar characters in official games, see Antitoon.
| Darktoon | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Alignment | Bad then good | |
| Appears in | Rayman Redemption, Rayman ReDesigner | |
| Location | Pink Plant Woods, Tempest Terror, Molten Depths, Tasty Reception, The Lonely Cliff | |
| Resistance |  (Rayman Redemption)
| |
| Attacks | Bounce, fireballs, flames, lava rocks | |
Darktoon is a recurring mini-boss enemy in Rayman Redemption and Rayman ReDesigner. He is an Antitoon with some unique features, who has been given special powers by Mr Dark. Early in Rayman Redemption, Darktoon introduces himself as Mr Dark's right-hand man, who has been sent specifically to stop Rayman on his quest to recover the Great Protoon and save the world. After trying and failing several times, Darktoon eventually falls into disfavor with Mr Dark, and has his powers taken away from him. He subsequently becomes friendly to Rayman and his friends.
Appearance
Darktoon resembles an Antitoon, with a dark blue body and light-blue hair and hands. He is slightly larger, his face is elongated, and he has a purple cloak. His shoes are purple as well, instead of red, like those of the normal Antitoons. During his encounters with Rayman, his facial expression is usually a frown, except at his moments of defeat, when he looks surprised.
In the True Boss Rush, his body becomes red similarly to red Antitoons from Rayman Designer and ReDesigner, and his cape becomes dark purple, probably as a reference to Mr Dark's colors in the Game Boy Color version of Rayman, a appearance which is also featured during the same challenge.
In Rayman Redemption
Darktoon's primary attack consists of hovering in the air and hurling fireballs at Rayman, similar to those of Mr Dark. He is also able to curl into a fast-spinning purple ball and bounce around the arena, launching flames towards either side every time he hits the ground. Both the flames and Darktoon's touch are able to hurt Rayman. In each encounter, Darktoon gains additional attacks.
He can only be harmed in his normal form, not when curled into a ball. In some situations he may hover too high for Rayman to reach with a simple jump, requiring other means.
In Pink Plant Woods
I'm Darktoon, Mr Dark's right-hand man. He gave me the power to stop you! I'll finish you off before you can even start!—Darktoon, Pink Plant Woods
Darktoon attacks for the first time right after Betilla explains to Rayman about the Toontotems. In this first encounter, his attack patterns are very simple. He throws fireballs until Rayman jumps and hits him with his fist, at which point he will do one bounce and resume the fireball attack. With agility, he may be hit each time before he has a chance to throw additional fireballs.
In Tempest Terror
Curses! You annoying little rat! You've already made it this far and even defeated Mr Stone! I was sure that the big blockhead would crush you! Well, no matter! I won't let you reach the second Toontotem. I'll stop you right here!—Darktoon, Tempest Terror
In the second encounter, Darktoon alternates fireballs, bounce attacks and lava rocks which he throws down at Rayman. These bounce around and can be either destroyed by Rayman's fist, or avoided by staying at the very edge of the screen, where the ground is slightly elevated. In the second part of the fight, he will also introduce a shower of fireballs that cover a larger area of the screen at the same time.
Darktoon hovers much higher in this battle, and can only be hit from the elevated edges, or while he is briefly dazed after finishing a sequence of bounces. The slippery snowy surface of the arena adds to the difficulty.
In Molten Depths
What are you doing here so deep in the caves? I thought I'd have time to collapse the way to the last Toontotem...! No matter, I'll just collapse the cave on you!—Darktoon, Molten Depths
This arena is much harder than the previous two, as it consists of five platforms hovering over lava. Falling into the lava is instant death, although with some luck Rayman can grab the edge of a nearby platform, as they are pretty close to one another. Darktoon once again hovers high out of each, and switches to fireball attacks with dropping lava rocks from above. While the lava rocks are falling, Darktoon will always be floating directly above Rayman, and can be hurt by his own falling rock if Rayman positions himself in the right spot at the right time.
After being hurt, Darktoon will bounce around the arena. This time, his bounces do not send out flames, but they are difficult enough to avoid with the additional risk of falling into lava. Also he is no longer dazed after bouncing, so the lava rocks remain the only means of hurting him.
In Tasty Reception
Curses! How do you just keep coming back, you limbless loser? I'll finish you right here, right now! No holding back! Gasp! Mr Dark!—Darktoon, Tasty Reception
Darktoon attempts to challenge Rayman again in Tasty Reception, but before long, he is interrupted by Mr Dark. The latter informs Darktoon that due to his failure to prevent Rayman from reaching Candy Château, he is of no use to him anymore, then casts a spell reducing Darktoon to a pair of bouncing eyes, like defeated Antitoons.
In The Lonely Cliff
When Rayman ascends the Lonely Cliff after Mr Dark's escape following the battle of Mr Dark's Dare, he unexpectedly finds Darktoon waiting there for him among his friends. He's now friendly, and is later seen with Rayman's friends during the credits.
Hey, it's me! I bet you didn't recognize me without my body? Well, it just so happens that Mr Dark didn't actually blow me up for good. He just took away all my powers! That means I can't fight you anymore. But to be honest, I was getting a bit bored of that. You go take down Mr Dark. He was always such a big meanie, even towards me. I'm just going to hit the beach and relax. Maybe even have a nice cool drink...—Darktoon, The Lonely Cliff
In True Boss Rush
All of Darktoon's boss battles get an harder version in the True Boss Rush, with Darktoon sporting a red color-scheme.
In Rayman ReDesigner
Darktoon is featured as an enemy in Rayman ReDesigner, and was added in version 1.4.0, available through the editor's enemies tab in the second page. He can be linked to events, but cannot be flipped as he automatically instantly pivots towards Rayman's direction.
He levitates horizontally towards Rayman's direction and constantly attacks him with series of two magic projectiles. His movement can be restricted by reactionary tiles placed on his way.
He's one of the few returning bosses from Rayman Redemption who can be defeated. It takes twenty normal hits to eliminate him, sending him flying away like regular enemies. Alternatively, seven golden or charged and aerial punches are enough, four with a charged or jumped golden fist, or just two hits with the Heavy Metal Fist. Touching him with the Invincibility power-up or by riding the robot dinosaur defeats him instantly.
Gallery
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Darktoon as he appeared in the Gameplay Demo. -
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Darktoon sharing a drink with Joe in the ending. -
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Trivia
- Darktoon uses the alternative name for Antitoons, notably featured in Rayman games in the UbiArt engine such as Rayman Origins.
- Darktoon's appearance and boss battles were very different in Rayman Redemption's early production and in the Gameplay Demo. His lines of dialogue also drastically changed.
- In Rayman Redemption's early development, Darktoon's appearance in Candy Château was meant to take place in the final part of Mr Dark's Dare where he would become the Dark Chimera. Darktoon was meant to plead for one more chance to beat Rayman, which Mr Dark would have granted by turning Darktoon into the Dark Chimera, stating his minion failed him too many times but can still be useful by making Darktoon stronger.[1]
- Darktoon is the character with the most themes in Rayman Redemption, with Enter Darktoon, Darktoon's Mischief, the early versions of those tracks, and The Dark Chimera which was originally intended for his transformation into the Dark Chimera and uses a leitmotif of his other themes.
- The introductory bit of Darktoon's Mischief is not heard in the game and is only featured in the Rayman Redemption soundtrack. This is the only music in Rayman Redemption to be different in its soundtrack release.
- Due to an oversight, his projectiles used to be hearable even when far away in Rayman ReDesigner. which was fixed in version 1.4.4.