Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

Last updated

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair cover art.png
Developer(s) Playtonic Games
Publisher(s) Team17
Composer(s)
Engine Unity
Platform(s)
ReleaseNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
October 8, 2019
Amazon Luna
October 20, 2020
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a 2019 platform game developed by Playtonic Games and published by Team17. As a spin-off to Yooka-Laylee (2017), the game was released digitally for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One on October 8, 2019, followed by a version for Amazon Luna on October 20, 2020. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Gameplay

The title is a side-scrolling 2D platform game. The player controls Yooka, a male chameleon, and Laylee, a female bat, to complete various levels. In these levels, the objective is to collect quills and T.W.I.T. coins, as well as to free a member of the "Beetalion". The members of the Beetalion each give Yooka and Laylee an extra hit point for use on the final level, the eponymous "Impossible Lair". T.W.I.T. coins are used to unlock further progress on the overworld through Trowzer's "paywalls". [4] Notably, it is possible to enter the final level at any point in the game, though it is heavily encouraged that the player first secure extra hit points by beating the other levels first.

The "Tonics" feature from the first game also return. Tonics are potions that can modify the gameplay in numerous ways after being consumed by Yooka. [5] Between levels, an isometric 3D overworld is used for getting around. Characters can be found and spoken to alongside puzzles to solve for quills and tonics. [6]

Development

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair was developed by Playtonic Games, a studio composed of former Rare employees. While the game bears similarities with the Donkey Kong Country series, the team opted not to use the moniker "spiritual successor" to market the game. [7] The game was announced on June 8, 2019, by publisher Team17, [8] and released on October 8, 2019. [5]

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (Original Game Soundtrack) was independently released by Playtonic on October 16, 2019, on Bandcamp, with a fully distributed edition under the video game record label Materia Collective. [9] The music was composed by David Wise, Grant Kirkhope, Matt Griffin, and Dan Murdoch.

Reception

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair received generally positive reviews upon release according to review aggregator Metacritic. [11] [10] [12] [13] IGN gave the game a glowing review, calling it an "excellent modernized spin on the 2D platformer". [21] Game Informer also spoke highly, praising the game's great replay value and fresh perspective on the 2D platforming genre. [6] Eurogamer's Tom Phillips called the game "a far more polished game than the studio's predecessor", citing the more modern game designs. [22]

Despite the game's mainly positive reviews, some journalists found issues with the game's design. Destructoid's Brett Makedonski, while having overall enjoyed the game, describing the levels and controls as "not innovative" and "good enough". [23] Hayden Dingman of PC World found the game's difficulty too "taxing" to be enjoyable, giving it 3/5 stars. [24]

Accolades

The game was nominated for "Control Precision" at the NAVGTR Awards. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Wise (composer)</span> English video game composer

David Wise is a British video game music composer and musician. He was a composer at Rare from 1985 to 2009, and was the company's sole musician up until 1994. He has gained a following for his work on various games, particularly Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country series. Wise is known for his atmospheric style of music, mixing natural environmental sounds with prominent melodic and percussive accompaniment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Kirkhope</span> Scottish composer

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others. He has won an Ivor Novello Award for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope and a World Soundtrack Award for The King's Daughter as well as being nominated for various BAFTA, ASCAP, and IFMCA awards.

<i>Banjo-Kazooie</i> Video game franchise

Banjo-Kazooie is a platform game series developed by Rare. The games feature a male bear named Banjo and his friend, a large female red bird named Kazooie, both of whom are controlled by the player. Banjo originally made his debut as a playable character in 1997 as part of the cast of Diddy Kong Racing. Throughout the various games, they are tasked with thwarting the various evil schemes of a witch named Gruntilda. The first game, Banjo-Kazooie, was released in 1998 to critical acclaim and was followed by three sequels and a spin-off racing game.

<i>Super Meat Boy</i> 2010 platform game

Super Meat Boy is a 2010 platform game designed by Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes under the collective name of "Team Meat". It was self-published as the successor to Meat Boy, a 2008 Flash game designed by McMillen and Jonathan McEntee. In the game, the player controls Meat Boy, a red, cube-shaped character, as he attempts to rescue his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, from the game's antagonist Dr. Fetus. The gameplay is characterized by fine control and split-second timing, as the player runs and jumps through over 300 hazardous levels while avoiding obstacles. The game also supports the creation of player-created levels. Super Meat Boy was first released on the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade in October 2010, and was later ported to Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch. A Wii version was in development but was ultimately cancelled.

<i>The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing</i> 2013 video game

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is an action role-playing video game developed and published by NeocoreGames. It was released on 22 May 2013. Based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, the game focuses on the trials of young Van Helsing, son of the legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing from the book. The game is set in a gothic-noir 19th-century Eastern Europe and contains "intentionally anachronistic humor and gadgetry". A sequel, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II, was released on 22 May 2014. A second sequel, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III, was released on 22 May 2015.

<i>Shovel Knight</i> 2014 video game

Shovel Knight is a platform video game developed and published by Yacht Club Games. Development was crowdfunded and the game was released for Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Windows in June 2014. It was ported to OS X and Linux in September 2014, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One in April 2015, Amazon Fire TV in September 2015, and Nintendo Switch in March 2017. Shovel Knight is inspired by gameplay and graphics of platformer games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

<i>A Hat in Time</i> 2017 video game

A Hat in Time is a 2017 platform game developed by Danish game studio Gears for Breakfast and published by Humble Bundle. The game was developed using Unreal Engine 3 and funded through a Kickstarter campaign, which nearly doubled its fundraising goals within its first two days. The game was self-published for macOS and Windows in October 2017, and by Humble Bundle for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles two months later. A version for the Nintendo Switch was released in October 2019.

<i>Wreckfest</i> 2018 video game

Wreckfest is a racing video game developed by Bugbear Entertainment and published by THQ Nordic. Wreckfest is described as the spiritual successor to the FlatOut series and a cross between FlatOut, Destruction Derby and cult 1989 PC racer Street Rod. A notable feature of the game engine is the use of soft-body damage modelling, which enables location-based damage that affects the driving dynamics of vehicles in a realistic fashion.

<i>Gang Beasts</i> 2017 multiplayer beat em up party game

Gang Beasts is a beat 'em up party game developed and published by English indie studio Boneloaf. The title would originally be published by Double Fine Presents until May 2020 and self-published afterwards, while it would later be published in physical form by Skybound Games. The game released for Windows, macOS, Linux, and PlayStation 4 on 12 December 2017, following an early access period for the PC platforms that began in August 2014. It was also released on the Xbox One on 27 March 2019. A version for Nintendo Switch was released on 12 October 2021.

<i>Yooka-Laylee</i> 2017 video game

Yooka-Laylee is a 2017 platform game developed by Playtonic Games and published by Team17. It was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in April 2017, Nintendo Switch in December 2017 and Amazon Luna in October 2020. Developed by a group of former key personnel from Rare, Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor to the Banjo-Kazooie series. After years of planning to develop a new game, Playtonic Games initiated a Kickstarter campaign that attracted significant media coverage and raised a record-breaking sum of over £2 million. The game follows chameleon Yooka and bat Laylee on their quest to retrieve a magical book from an evil corporation.

Playtonic Games Limited is a British video game developer founded in 2014. It consists in large part of former members of Rare.

<i>Worms W.M.D</i> 2016 video game

Worms W.M.D is a 2D artillery turn-based tactics video game developed and published by Team17. It is the nineteenth installment in the Worms series, and was released on 23 August 2016 for Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox One. It was later released on 23 November 2017 for Switch, on 1 July 2022 for Stadia and on 11 April 2023 for iOS and Android. Its gameplay resembles that of Worms Armageddon more than subsequent installments, while adding new features that range from interactive vehicles such as tanks, to buildings that the worms can enter for protection. It is also notable for being the first major redesign the worm characters have received since Worms 3D.

<i>Overcooked</i> 2016 video game

Overcooked is a 2016 cooking simulation game developed by Ghost Town Games and published by Team17. In a local cooperative experience, players control a number of chefs in kitchens filled with various obstacles and hazards to rapidly prepare meals to specific orders under a time limit. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One in August 2016. A Nintendo Switch version was released in July 2017.

<i>Warhammer: Vermintide 2</i> 2018 video game

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is a first-person action video game developed and published by Fatshark. It is the sequel to 2015's Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. Vermintide 2 was released for Windows on 8 March 2018. It was released for Xbox One on 11 July 2018, free for members of the Xbox Game Pass. It was released for the PlayStation 4 on 18 December 2018. It also released for Xbox Series X/S on 3 December 2020. A spiritual successor, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, was released in 2022.

<i>Human: Fall Flat</i> 2016 video game

Human: Fall Flat is a puzzle-platform game developed by No Brakes Games and published by Curve Digital. It was initially released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux in July 2016, and received ports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, and iOS and Android over the next several years.

<i>My Time at Portia</i> 2019 video game

My Time at Portia is a 2019 farm sim game developed by Chinese studio Pathea Games and published by Team17. It has some similarities to other farm sims like Stardew Valley.

<i>Windjammers 2</i> 2022 sports video game

Windjammers 2 is a 2022 sports video game developed and published by Dotemu. It is the sequel to the 1994 Neo Geo game Windjammers, co-produced by Data East and SNK. Windjammers 2 was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, and Xbox One on January 20, 2022. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the visuals, new content and gameplay mechanics.

F1 is a racing video game series by Codemasters under the EA Sports banner since 2021. The series holds the official license of the FIA Formula One World Championship, with the FIA Formula 2 Championship available since the 2019 game. A total of twenty-two games have been released to date, with the series' latest installment, F1 24, released in May 2024.

<i>Demon Turf</i> 2021 video game

Demon Turf is a 3D platformer action-adventure game developed by Fabraz and published by Playtonic Friends. The game was released November 4, 2021 on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

<i>BPM: Bullets Per Minute</i> 2020 video game

BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a roguelike rhythmic first-person shooter developed and published by Awe Interactive. The game incorporates elements from rhythm games and roguelikes. It was released for Microsoft Windows in September 2020, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2021, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2022.

References

  1. "NEW GAME: YOOKA-LAYLEE AND THE IMPOSSIBLE LAIR". Playtonic Games. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  2. "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair – Release Date Announcement!". Team 17. 3 September 2019. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  3. Gartenberg, Chaim (20 October 2020). "Hands-on with Amazon's Luna game streaming service". The Verge. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  4. Campbell, Colin (3 October 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair revels in the good ol' days of platforming". Polygon . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  5. 1 2 Beckhelling, Imogen (3 September 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair comes to PC and consoles next month". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  6. 1 2 Shea, Brian (16 October 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  7. Dring, Christopher (14 June 2019). "Playtonic: "We are never using the term spiritual successor again"". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  8. Purlow, Matt (6 July 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Announced". IGN . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  9. admin (March 2020). "Yooka-Laylee and Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Soundtracks Released". Playtonic Games. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  11. 1 2 "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  13. 1 2 "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  14. "Review: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair". Destructoid . Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  15. "Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair Review – A Fresh Perspective". Game Informer . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  16. "Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair Review - Uninvited Nostalgia". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  17. "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Review". IGN . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  18. "Test Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, cette fois, la nostalgie fait mouche !". Jeuxvideo.com . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  19. "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life . Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  20. "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  21. Jagneaux, David (3 October 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  22. Phillips, Tom (8 October 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair review - a brilliant and better follow-up". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  23. Makedonski, Brett (6 October 2019). "Review: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  24. Dingman, Hayden (3 October 2019). "Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair review: Not impossible, but not very fun either". PC World. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  25. "2019 Nominees". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.