Between new areas, enemies, and moves (with the duo now having full access to their repertoire from the outset), Yooka-Replaylee adds the Treasure Tracker. Now you can check how many Pagies remain in a level and track them more reliably. Vendi also offers some new Tonics, such as Reaper-Laylee, which drops your health down to one heart, and Newbee Blast, which creates an energy ring after a Buddy Slam.

Rextro’s Arcade has also seen a makeover, with players now directly controlling the dinosaur in new platforming stages. For more details on Yooka-Replaylee, check out our review. We gave it a seven out of ten, praising the art direction, music and controls, but the overall core remains the same, which may be good or bad depending on the player.

After over nine years and an entirely separate (and much better) game in The Impossible Lair, Playtonic has returned to where it all began with Yooka-Replaylee. Revamped visuals and animations, new quality of life features, and an overhaul to Rextro’s Arcade – it offers no small amount of changes and improvements to the original game’s formula. Try as it might, however, it can’t completely rise above average – and at times, even dull – level design and platforming challenges that oscillate between easy and insultingly so, resulting in a solid but ultimately unremarkable 3D platformer.

The story, such as it is, remains the same. Yooka and Laylee crash land on an island and discover the One Book, a tome that can make anything written within a reality. Captured by the villainous Capital B, the duo help set it free… only to witness it captured once more, scattering its Pagies to the winds to keep its power from falling in the wrong hands. It’s thus up to Yooka and Laylee to recover those Pagies, many residing within other tomes that house their own worlds, even if they’re playing into the hands of Capital B and his researcher, Dr Quack.

"Regardless, the platforming is the main appeal, and it’s here that Yooka-Replaylee’s improvements are more obvious. Thanks to some deus ex machina with the One Book, Yooka and Laylee have access to their full moveset from nearly the beginning."

It’s a tale as straightforward as any other, even with the late-game twist. The real appeal is supposed to be the writing and charming characters, like Clara Lost, an explorer who’s also a skeleton. Cue jokes about the lack of a heart (or just her survival instincts in general). Or Dr Puzz, a former scientist who worked for Dr Quack and whose experiments have resulted in some marine-like changes. Cue the jokes about seas, tentacles, and so on. Some of Laylee’s biting commentary can be fun, but at times, the sheer amount of attempted “gotchas,” puns and snarks feels way too overdone to really end up paying much mind. Don’t even get me started on Galleon Galaxy and whatever the heck is going on with the Blamphibians in Galleon Galaxy.

Regardless, the platforming is the main appeal, and it’s here that Yooka-Replaylee’s improvements are more obvious. Thanks to some deus ex machina with the One Book, Yooka and Laylee have access to their full moveset from nearly the beginning. Instead of waiting until Glitterglaze Glacier, the second world, to unlock Lizard Leap and gain some extra jumping height, its availability from the outset allows for much more freedom of exploration (especially when comboed with Glide). It’s incredibly liberating, as is having Slurp Shot available when tackling sections that require hosing down multiple enemies with projectiles or destroying objects, rather than collecting Quills, returning to Trowzer to purchase the move, and so on. That they flow fairly seamlessly into each other and control so well is also great. Say what you will, but Playtonic nailed the feel of movement.

That said, the sheer range of available moves feels lackluster. Yes, there are a few standouts, such as the Sonar Shot, which reveals hidden platforms; Slurp State for inheriting an object’s properties; and Camo Cloak for going invisible. It’s just that their applications feel way too simplistic, which boils down mostly to the nature of challenges and combat as a whole. Most enemies are downright pathetic, crumpling to a few Tail Twirls or a simple bop on the head, so much so that I often just rolled past them when possible because it wasn’t worth the effort. The few exceptions – the invulnerable bot that releases energy waves or the spiky enemies that must be pushed back with Sonar Shot instead of melee’d – do very little to mix things up.

Tonics return, and there are many more to earn, though I found many of them, from increased energy to more hearts, to be unnecessary. The sheer number of cosmetic options and filters is pretty nice, as are the upgrades from Trowzer. Again, unnecessary, especially with the overall difficulty of the experience, but it’s better than nothing, even if it significantly reduces the urge to collect Quills.

"While not inherently a terrible thing, it doesn’t help the levels to really stand out or feel memorable in terms of gameplay, much less cohesiveness. The transformations also remain as underwhelming as ever."

In terms of other new additions, the new map and challenge tracker make it easier to mop up any missing Pagies. Some challenges have also been improved – the “quest” involving Shovel Knight focuses more on seesaw-like platforms and freezing them in place compared to the original’s more boring approach of shooting switches. Rextro’s Arcade now has you controlling Rextro in separate puzzle platforming levels, where utilizing his chomp is the key to progression, especially since he can’t jump.

However, many of the challenges aren’t exactly all that, well, challenging, and the overall design of each world still leaves something to be desired. Some feel rudimentary, simply thrown in for the sake of doing; certain sections feel like they could be expanded on much more. Then you have sections like the one in Moodymaze Marsh that involve moving past some spiky obstacles underwater to get to the Pagie on time, which feel poorly designed, possessing no pretence of challenge whatsoever.

Pagies can just as easily be obtained from minecart rides as from a half-buried treasure chest in the sand. While not inherently a terrible thing, it doesn’t help the levels to really stand out or feel memorable in terms of gameplay, much less cohesiveness. The transformations also remain as underwhelming as ever.

Of course, it’s not all terrible. Some may appreciate the sheer variety of “things” on offer, from passing through gates with the Sonar Shield to beam up and destroy a point of interest (which sounds way more exciting than it actually is) to navigating a maze from a top-down perspective, avoiding hazardous blocks as they shift around. Each of them looks pretty great in terms of art design and fidelity, and the revamped visuals, especially with the lighting and reflections, are nice. It’s actually amazing to see the difference between locations like the Waterworks, which feel more appropriately dingy compared to the original.

"However, it’s still Yooka-Laylee at its core, which means dealing with uninspired platforming sequences, so-so bosses, unfunny dialogue and worlds that feel more cobbled together than anything else."

Performance is also quite solid throughout with very rare frame drops, and the soundtrack is even better than ever, thanks to Grant Kirkhope and David Wise. And if that wasn’t enough, the camera is much more cooperative this time around, though there are still plenty of instances where it feels too uncomfortably close with no means of rotating or moving it.

Yooka-Replaylee, as promised, is the “definitive” version of Yooka-Laylee in almost every way. The presentation is a significant step up, and many of the more annoying aspects of the original are either downplayed or revamped. However, it’s still Yooka-Laylee at its core, which means dealing with uninspired platforming sequences, so-so bosses, unfunny dialogue and worlds that feel more cobbled together than anything else. That may appeal to a strong contingent who loved the original despite its flaws, and might make for a stronger sell to those previously wary, even if it’s far from an amazing platformer.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

Similar to Banjo-Kazooie, which Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor to, players traverse magical realms and collect items to unlock further levels. There are transformations to unlock, from a bulldozer and school of fish to a pirate ship with a flamethrower, and players can customize the duo with different cosmetics.

It’s unknown how many bosses will be available to fight, but demo transfers to the full game when it launches on October 9th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Retailing for $29.99, the remaster will be discounted by 30 percent if you own the original on the same console family.

The digital version will retail for $29.99 while the physical edition costs $49.99 on consoles (and even includes the full game on the Switch 2’s card). Most importantly, those who own the original 2017 platformer can purchase the remaster at 30 percent off. They must own it on the same platform or console family, though.

In a press release, Playstonic studio director Gavin Price said, “Yooka-Replaylee is built to shine on every platform, and we’re chuffed to bits it’s on Switch 2 from day one, it holds a special place in our hearts (and hands). It’s bigger, brighter, bolder, and packed with all the little touches we always dreamed of. We can’t wait for players to jump in.”

Yooka-Replaylee retains the same story as the original but with new plot points and sequences, overhauled graphics, new Tonics, a new map, and more. Rextro’s Arcade is also completely remade to offer new platforming stages. It also sports several improvements to the camera and controls, including all moves being available from the outset. Stay tuned for more details and gameplay of the remaster’s release.

In the meantime, the development team is “currently busy QAing,” finding and fixing bugs while polishing and optimizing the entire experience for all platforms. It still has a “way to go,” so even if a release date was announced, it could be several months off. Nevertheless, Playtonic is promising a lot of content for launch.

Barring a sudden delay, Yooka-Replaylee will be coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 this year. Alongside improved visuals, it introduces several new features, like fast travel and additional Tonics, while revamping the controls and unlocking all moves from the start.

Even Rextro’s Arcade has been overhauled. Instead of simple mini-games, there are now full-fledged platforming stages where players control Rextro directly (complete with unique abilities). Head here for more details and stay tuned for updates.

Meanwhile, a new gameplay trailer has also been released to offer another extended look at Yooka-Replaylee and all the improvements, additions, and changes it will boast. In addition to overhauled visuals, a new control scheme, new in-game challenges (as well as improved versions of pre-existing ones), fully orchestrated music, new currency to hunt down and collect, and much more. Check out the trailer below for more details. 

When Yooka-Replaylee launches later this year, it will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and unspecified Nintendo platforms- likely the Switch 2. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks and months.

Rextro has his own mechanics, like extending his head to attack enemies and latch onto platforms for traversing gaps. He’ll collect coins, push keys onto square panels to unlock the way ahead, and jump across dubious hazards. There are eight levels, and completing them bestows medals to trade for Pagies.

Yooka-Replaylee is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo platforms, seemingly indicating a launch on the Switch 2. Though the latter is out this year (with a dedicated Direct scheduled for April 2nd), Playtonic hasn’t confirmed a release window for the remaster.

Stay tuned for more details, and check out the previous trailer highlighting remade stages like Glittergaze Glacier.

As a remaster of 2017’s Yooka-Laylee, Yooka-Replaylee offers vastly improved visuals, overhauled animations and better performance. You’ll still have to stop Capital B from stealing all the world’s books, but there are new challenges, more fluid controls, an improved camera, a new currency for the Vendi, and a world map. The latter also helps track challenges.

Speaking of Vendi, the sentient vending machine offers new tonics and even merchandise to customize Yooka and Laylee with. And if all that isn’t enough, composers Grant Kirkhope and David Wise have turned the game’s music into an orchestral score.

Yooka-Replaylee doesn’t have a release date, but if it’s indeed coming to Nintendo’s next console, we may see it next year. Stay tuned for updates in the meantime.

Yooka-Replayee celebrates a decade of Playtonic (even if Laylee’s name has been butchered in the process). On top of improved visuals and resolution, it revamps the art and animations while improving performance. There are also new challenges and improvements to old ones, a new collectible currency, new outfits, and a new world map and challenge tracker.

If that wasn’t enough, there are also new Tonics, and you can equip multiple of them. The controls have also been made more fluid while the camera sounds more responsive. Finally, the original soundtrack from Grant Kirkhope and David Wise has received an orchestral rearrangement. Stay tuned for more details next week, as a sit-down Q&A session is coming June 11th.

Speaking with GamesIndustry, managing director Gavin Price spoke about what these plans may entail, which primarily includes doubling the studio’s size, expanding to having three development teams, and working on a new 3D platformer that will serve as a direct follow-up to 2017 game Yooka-Laylee.

2019’s Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, of course, was a sidescrolling 2D platformer. Earlier this year, Playtonic said that it would be revealing its new project soon, and also confirmed that it had multiple new Yooka-Laylee games in development.

Sure enough, the deal with Tencent seems to be focused primarily on expanding the Yooka-Laylee IP. Price said: “We’ve always had a dialogue with Tencent. We got chatting to them about the future of 3D platforming and what we’re doing next. I mentioned that Playtonic had this growth plan of being lots of people with lots of teams. They said don’t do anything hasty, that they really liked these chats and wanted to discuss how Tencent could get involved.

“I was surprised, because I didn’t expect them to be interested in Playtonic. It turned out that they had a department for genres, including a 3D platform department. So we had to formalise our future content plan a bit. And we wanted to have an aspiration goal as well, which was to make Yooka-Laylee an IP that could appear on a major fast food chain’s kids meal box.

“They liked the studio and what we put out before, and they thought they could help us achieve those goals. And it just continued from there. Naturally, everyone wanted to do this, so we just threw it over to the solicitors and waited for them to tell me it was done.”

Interestingly, Price has also said that Playtonic could move to a new HQ, open new offices, and even potentially acquire other teams as it looks to expand.

How long it’ll be before the developer is ready to announce the next Yooka-Laylee game remains to be seen, but clearly, it seems it has big plans for the IP.