Real Talk By: Haggy

Brought to us by Playtonic Games and Team 17, Yooka-Laylee is the spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie.  When I say spiritual successor, it might as well be the direct sequel.  It’s made by many of the same individuals.  Is it basically just a modern remastering/touch-up of old games, or do we have something fresh?

Paying tribute to N64 classic platformers, Yooka-Laylee is a ‘collect-a-thon’ with the end goals usually met by finding either enough ‘Pagies’ or ‘Quillies’.  In order to get those you either explore the map or complete puzzles and challenges.  It’s a relatively simple concept.  However, Yooka-Laylee is also jam-packed with humor, amazing aesthetics, and platforming (when the camera isn’t being a little weird).

One topic at a time however.  As the game opens up, the colorful world, happy sound track greets the player.   It was about this time that I would start smiling, and wouldn’t stop until I had to turn the game off.  The colors were brilliantly arranged, and all the shapes were rounded, and given happy little cartoonish features.  Pairing this with the chipper, cheerful score, and you can’t help but feel relaxed and happy while playing this game.  It was almost as if I was turning back into a child, and even though I’m not one for nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia, even I was giggling like a young boy before long.

After messing around with the options and selecting a save, The player then samples the story.  The basic premise is that an Evil Boss Bee, and his assistant Dr. Quack are running ‘Hivory Towers’ and have recently begun a plot to steal all the books in the world so they can get ‘The One Book’ and rule the world.  It’s a simple plot, but it’s sufficient, and leads to some interesting and hilarious dialogue.

Yooka-Laylee is absolutely jam-packed with humor.  The game is somewhat aware of itself with many critters in it referring to how something was in the wrong game. Referencing future worlds and bosses as such, and even setting up game mechanics in the plot.  This is an extremely funny way to do this, and leads to some amazing jokes and set ups.

Players will traverse the many worlds and challenges the game provides, but not without some struggle.  The Camera and some of the foliage can be frustrating to deal with, but the controls are smooth.  Abilities are nice/fun to use, and it all feels so well planned out.  Unfortunately I can’t help but overlook the camera.  A patch would really help out.

Finally, there is almost an alarming amount of variety in this game! With so many types of challenges, puzzles and even Arcade games (That you can play locally, with up to three friends).  In Yooka-Laylee not only can you unlock new areas, but expand worlds you’ve already discovered.  This game will certainly keep you not only busy, but smiling for hours on end.  Seriously, my face hurts, but I can’t help it.

Yooka-Laylee Gets

4.5 Out of 5

What’s Legit?

+The Game Looks Great

+Amazing Soundtrack

+Tons of Laughs

+Gameplay Variety (Fun Mini-Games)

What’s Perpetrating?

-The Camera Occasionally Falls Short

-The Music is Nice, but Could Benefit From More Variety

#YookaLaylee @PlayLegit