The game Yooka-Laylee, originally known as Project Ukulele, is an immersive 3D-platformer and action-adventure video game by the renowned company, Playtonic Games. Founded by several key personnel from Rareware Yooka-Laylee serves as a spiritual successor to the Banjo-Kazooie franchise utilizing similar gameplay mechanics and level design. At the outset, Playtonic Games launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, which generated substantial media coverage and raised over two million pounds. All fans eagerly awaited the game’s release and speculation was rife after the company released the first teaser, which showed two characters hiding in a bush in the game’s opening world, Tribalstack Tropics. Players were left wondering, who the mysterious silhouettes belonged to until an event where both protagonists were unveiled, and the company later tweeted an identical image on April 30th, revealing their names as Yooka and Laylee. While Yooka-Laylee was praised for recapturing the nostalgic feel of classic 3D platformers, its reviews were overall mixed, according to Metacritic. While many critics praised the game’s charm, visual appeal, and engaging gameplay mechanics, others criticized its unoriginal design and outdated feel, unfavorably comparing it to the Banjo-Kazooie series. Despite the mixed reviews, the game offers hours of entertainment and takes players on a thrilling adventure filled with discovery.
» Game Prologue
The game opens with a video sequence that shows Yooka and Laylee, the game’s protagonists renovating their home, which is an old shipwreck. During their renovation they have found a book with golden pages, which they attempt to sell. However, the golden book is suddenly sucked into the nearby factory, which serves as the headquarters of the game’s antagonist, Capital B. Yooka and Laylee soon realize that Capital B intends to harvest their golden book and convert all of the world’s books into profit. Additionally, Capital B tries to create a powerful book known as the Only Book, which would allow him to rewrite the future as he sees fit. In response to this threat, Yooka and Laylee embark on a journey through the vast company grounds to retrieve Pagies. They do so by entering levels hidden in books called Grand Tomes, which are scattered around in Hivory Towers. However, they face many obstacles and other traps as Capital B and his vice-president Dr. Quack, attempt to stop them. As they progress through the game, Yooka and Laylee have to navigate Capital B’s traps and Dr. Quack’s quizzes to reach the office of Capital B that is located on the top of Hivory Towers. They encounter Capital B who offers to admit them for handing over a one hundred Pagies, which turns out to be a trap. Undeterred, they follow the antagonist to the top of his office, where they have to defeat him in order to retrieve their golden book. Also, in the post-credits scene, it’s revealed that Capital B and his loyal scientist Dr. Quack belong to a larger organization called V.I.L.E, aiming to use the Book’s power for other nefarious purposes. This sets up the stage for potential sequels and offers a glimpse into the game’s expansive world.
» Gameplay Mechanics
Yooka-Laylee is a thrilling 3D platformer that features two lovable characters, Yooka and Laylee as the protagonists. The game comprises five different themed worlds that are hidden in Grand Tomes, adding an element of mystery and excitement to the gameplay. To progress through the game, players must collect Quills and Pagies, which are scattered throughout the worlds. Pagies play a pivotal role by unlocking additional worlds in the game’s hub world Hivory Towers, but also expanding the ones that have already been unlocked. Also, players can perform a wide range of techniques with Yooka and Laylee, many of which consume energy. Players can refill the energy bar by either collecting butterflies without slurping them up with Yooka’s Slurp ability or waiting a few seconds. Additionally, players are able to learn additional moves from a charming salesman named Trowzer in exchange for Quills. Finding Trowzer in Hivory Towers also offer free teachings of new abilities, adding an element of diversity to the gameplay. One of the most unique features in the game is its transformation system, allowing players to transform the protagonists by using Dr. Puzz’s D.N.A. Ray Generator, granting them new abilities and access to areas that cannot be reached in Yooka and Laylee’s normal form. Furthermore, they work similarly to Humba Wumba in Banjo-Tooie, with the only difference being that the player must bring a Mollycool instead of a Glowbo. Each world is composed of a myriad of challenges, including solving puzzles, defeating enemies and bosses, gathering collectibles, and participating in thrilling mini-games.
