Yooka-Laylee (coming 2017 from Playtonic Games) has been in the works for quite awhile. The spiritual successor to the highly popular Banjo-Kazooie platforming adventure had been rumored for a few years and finally I got my hands on it this weekend at the PlayStation Experience 2016.
This new adventure has much in common with Banjo-Kazooie and its sequel, Banjo-Tooie. It features two characters with quirky yet compatible personalities, expandable move sets, tons of collectibles, clever platforming puzzles, and a sense of humor that is sometimes clever and sometimes cheesy. If you liked the Banjo games, you will find a lot to enjoy here. However, it does forge its own path. It’s these differences that will truly make or break this game in the end.
I had the advantage of having the majority of moves unlocked for me from the beginning. The moves are very familiar if you played the Banjo titles. The moves are combined by using features of the two title characters: Laylee and use its bat-wings to float for a bit and has a sonar that can wake or stun foes, Yuka roll-dash and high-jump. These moves need to be combined to take on most challenges in the game. Unlike Banjo-Kazooie, you can buy your move sets from a trouser-wearing snake-in-the-grass. The currency is one of the collectibles you find throughout the world.
(Note: this was a guest post written by Norm Major)