It feels like it was not too long ago that we were getting trailers to hype us up for Yooka-Replaylee’s release. Playtonic Games has already given gamers a taste of the classic days of original platforming. Albeit, it was the rocky entry of Yooka-Laylee. However, the team decided not to give up and wanted to try and make good on improvements to it. That way, players can experience the full, authentic version that the studio originally promised. What they produced more than lives up to their word. A fun and well-tuned platforming experience that rivals games of the old days like Mario and Donkey Kong. Even with a small misstep in terms of unlock progression.
Yooka-Replaylee: Same classic story, better pacing
When it comes to the narrative of Yooka-Replaylee, it is mostly the same. Players hop into the role of dynamic duo, Yooka and Laylee. The pair crash land and are thrust into a scheme by the villain Capital B. The schemer tries to use the One Book for its power, to grant any wish the user wants. Rather than roll over and let it happen, though, it rips into many separate pieces across various worlds. With that, playing as Yooka-Laylee, the quest begins with reforming the One Book and stopping Capital B.
It’s a simple story of good versus bad. But the pacing is the true winner with Yooka-Replaylee. Now, more cutscenes are present to help give more exposition. Additionally, there are more details about the beginning, including dialogue from the One Book. It’s something refreshing to see, as it helps give a clearer scope of the story. Overall, the story itself is light-hearted and good. Showing the journey of the pair of friends as they fight against evil in the process. Ringing the nostalgia bell in my mind of the days when Banjo-Kazooie were on my TV screen.
Platforming fun but no skills to unlock feels overpowered
Yooka-Replaylee features the comfortable platforming fun of adventuring through levels. While also collecting different items in the process. Whether it’s Quills or the Pagies from the One Book. Attacks are simple but satisfying as I cleaved through the rank-and-file foes throughout each of the levels. Plus, there are unique abilities you can grab, such as fire-breathing or shooting water. While temporary, they give a sort of change from the routine combos that you experience in the game. Furthermore, the controls feel great. Tighter and more responsive controls are prominent in this entry. Making the characters feel much better to play as, and there isn’t any frustration with maneuverability.
A great thing I noticed also was that the game has a vast collection of puzzles to solve. But what makes it even better is that it felt like no two were the same. Rather than having to rinse and repeat and feel like a loop, each one was refreshing to my brain. Whether it’s stomping the correct pattern or smashing a painting. There were various ways to get Pagies and other items. A sign that Playtonic wants the game to be engaging and keep the fun pace going.
However, there is a gripe to be had when it comes to gameplay, and that’s the skills. Rather than needing to unlock them in this version of the game, they are all unlocked. Right as I started the game, I was greeted with a notification letting me know of this. Something that seems like taking away a bit of the fun. As instead needing to earn them, they were right there. It can be convenient at first. But it’s disappointing that one element of things to unlock was taken away. For example, Reptile Rush is something you get from level 4, and you purchase it for 80 Quills. So not being able to work towards that was a letdown for sure, and had me questioning why.
Collectibles and levels to boot
To start with, Yooka-Replaylee is indeed a collect-a-thon platformer. And a welcome one at that, as not having a lot of collectibles would feel like a crime almost. From Quills and Pagies to Page Masters and Play Coins, there is a lot to go search out. While it’s not several thousand to collect (looking at you, Donkey Kong 64), it still reaches over a thousand easily. And it’s great, honestly. The variety of things to collect and the ways to do so make it enjoyable all the way through. Especially since they serve purposes. Like Quills being used to purchase modifiers to the game, or Play Coins to unlock the Arcade Machines.
Speaking of the Arcade Machines, they are great little side levels in the game. You not only earn Pagies within them, but you also get to interact with the adorable Rextro Sixtyfourus. A perfect way to pay tribute to a strong foundation of platforming. Playtonic’s offering of these small side levels further gives a refreshing way to grab collectibles. While also experiencing a different way to enjoy Yooka-Replaylee. But that’s not all when it comes to the levels.
The main levels of the game are also fantastic. While there are only five, they are each distinct and massive. From Tribalstack Tropics to Galleon Galaxy. With their size and depth, you don’t need dozens of maps for this game. The core five that are presented are fun and stunning to explore. Each has different areas to go to, whether that’s way up in the air or you teleport to a separate area. The amount that each has to offer is great, and thankfully, they don’t overstay their welcome. While the game may benefit from one or two extra levels, the five in the game are more than satisfactory. Something that is a far cry from the original Yooka-Laylee, it was a pleasant surprise to see that everything in each level was open to explore right away.
Yooka and Laylee get plenty to unlock
Continuing off the collectibles, something I loved was the purpose of the Quills in the game. Players take these to give to Vendi, a vending machine NPC. Upon meeting her, she offers you various cosmetics to unlock and wear. Like t-shirts and shorts for Yooka. Plus fun little backpacks or hats for Laylee. As you progress with collecting Pagies, you can continue to open up more cosmetics to purchase, and with different Quills and Cosmetics for each level, there are some good items to grab.
Cosmetics aren’t the only thing to unlock through Vendi. You can also get Tonics, which act as modifiers for the game, both positively and negatively. You can add more hearts to your characters, or make it so you have fall damage. Further, it gives players an incentive to hunt down the collectibles in the game. Especially with the reward being something that can change the gameplay experience. I found myself many times backtracking to different levels and searching for as many quills as possible. Just to be able to try out the different Tonics and Outfits, changing things up from time to time. This only made the game more replayable and enjoyable. Instead of getting stale from the same platforming experience early on.
It’s nice that the collectibles are there to just be grabbed and have no reward or actual purpose to them. Yooka-Replaylee, gives plenty of rewards for your hard work and searching throughout. So if you are looking to just make your character look good or make things more interesting, there are plenty to unlock, and it only makes the game better.
The pair has never looked or sounded so good
Playtonic has made vast improvements to Yooka-Replaylee when it comes to the visuals. I mean, the difference between the original game and this one is truly noticeable. Seeing the fur and scales on Laylee and Yooka to environmental changes. The visuals upgrade makes the cartoon aesthetic of the game feel more modern. And with that, in tune with the current generation of gaming. Additionally, the lighting of the game is spectacular. Everything pops more because of it, rather than needing to tune up the brightness to see what is really going on. It gives the game the best fit for the tone it sets. And it’s got the audio to match it.
Already, the music of the game was superb with scores by iconic gaming composers such as Grant Kirkhope of Goldeneye 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. However, Yooka-Replaylee adds a fresh take by including an orchestra for some new music to enjoy, and honestly, I found myself changing between the old and new soundtracks constantly. They both sounded so good, and I couldn’t experience just one or the other. However, you have to unlock the retro soundtrack at Vendi to enjoy it.
Furthermore, the sound that the characters make for dialogue is quirky and a relief to see. The noises, rather than straight dialogue, feel just like old platformers. And ironically, it made me want to listen to the dialogue exchanges even more so. That, plus the comical writing that comes with it, made the game feel funny and the characters more lively. Especially when it comes to Laylee and her sharp wit against different, unsuspecting NPCs like Trowzer.
Overall, the video and audio within Yooka-Replaylee are massive improvements over the original game. Showing that attention to improvements was done across the board. Rather than just the gameplay and pacing aspects. Playtonic wanted to make a better experience with this entry, and these are important aspects they nailed.
Yooka-Replaylee is An Absolute Delight
Overall, Yooka-Replaylee is a blast to play and this iteration shows Playtonic nailed getting a second chance to make things right. The story pacing was a big success to notice. Instead of being confused or uncaring, the game details what’s going on. Plus, it gives the characters more personality to enjoy. Additionally, the gameplay changes when it comes to the levels being more uniform keeps the game flowing well. With the massive amount of collectibles, there is plenty of reason to keep diving back in, therefore, giving the good choice to offer replayability beyond the main story.
The narrative of the game is familiar but fun. From start to finish, you get to enjoy the friendship of this unique pair as they fight to conquer Capital B. Furthermore, the care put into the audio and visuals of the game show that the player experience is at the forefront. Playtonic didn’t just want to pay tribute to classic platformers. But rather, keep it alive for a new generation. Something that others should strive to do with genres they care about.
If you haven’t played a platformer or are accustomed, Yooka-Replaylee is something that shouldn’t be missed. Playtonic wanted a chance to redeem the game for the first time… and you know what? They knocked it out of the park. Therefore, having me wish we had gotten to experience the game like this the first time around. While having all of the abilities right away feels overpowering, it doesn’t overshadow all of the good this entry brings. If you are looking to experience a platformer, Yooka-Replaylee is the optimal choice in this generation, and it goes to show that it can sit among other titans in the genre.
Yooka-Replaylee is available now across all current-gen systems.
The Review
Great
