It's fair to say that Yooka-Laylee didn't exactly live up to the monumental expectations placed upon it by critics and fans alike, garnering mixed reviews last month when it landed on non-Nintendo platforms.
Our sister site Push Square awarded the PS4 version 6 out of a possible 10, concluding that the game was:
...a 90s platformer to a tee. Unfortunately, rather than a rose-tinted look at the titles of yore, this game falls into all of the same pitfalls as its predecessors: it's rough around the edges, often annoying, and at times even a chore. And yet for all of its flaws it's still packing the most important ingredient of all: the compulsion to collect everything is strong here – and it'll remain even when you're grinding your teeth.
It seems the team at Playtonic have taken the less-than-stellar reaction to their prized platformer on the chin and are planning a update to correct some of the common complains as revealed on their blog:
Yooka-Laylee has been in the wild for two whole weeks and we've been positively overchuffed by the response from fans and backers around the world! We've very much enjoyed reading your feedback, lurking on your livestreams and absorbing your lovely comments, so thanks again for the support! It's been emotional.
Thanks to you lot, some 20 developers remain off the streets, mostly fed and in a stronger position than ever to continue creating colourful, personality-plump adventures!
But first… we've got some spit 'n' polish to deploy.
In the days since launch – and as we work with speed towards the Nintendo Switch – the dev team has been frogmarched back down into the development mines to uncover our next big game update, which will add significant improvements and introduce some of the most requested features.
That means stuff like the optional ability to skip dialogue faster, bypass cutscenes or reduce those pesky gibberish voices, which should please the speedrunners among us. We'll also be adding a sprinkling of design polish throughout the adventure and by popular request, changes to how the camera operates.
You can expect a more detailed breakdown of the game update in the coming weeks, as we continue to tinker around with the coding furnace.
From the sounds of it, this mega update should be in place in time for the upcoming Nintendo Switch port of the game - whenever that will be released. Fingers crossed that the update helps turn around some of the apathetic reactions to this retro-inspired platformer.
Have you been holding back waiting for Yooka-Laylee on Switch? Let us know if you still plan to pick it up with a comment below.
[source playtonicgames.com]
Comments 82
Played the Xbox version. Not gonna double-dip on this one no matter how 'better' it will be on Switch.
Their will to improve the game is commendable. If they tackle those performance issues and rework how the camera works, then I'll gladly give it a spin when it arrives on Switch. Times have been busy in terms of games, I'll gladly wait while working on all that's come out recently.
Even with all the bad reviews, I still want to play this as 90's style 3d platformer is my most missed genre but I have been waiting for the switch version!! I've been so tempted to just get it on ps4 but I want it portable and it'll feel right on my Nintendo. Just give us a date!!
that sounds awesome can't wait to play the switch version . glad I waited instead of picking ps4
Let's hope that by the time the Switch version comes out, Yooka-Laylee will be more enjoyable. Even with the bad reviews, I still want to play it.
Despite the mediocre reviews, I'm still interested.
Good on them for taking the criticism they have received in their stride and doing what they can to improve their game. I'm looking forward to supporting Platonic in the future when Yooka-Laylee comes to the Switch and hopefully with any titles they produce in the future.
Proud backer, still waiting with a big grin...
Yep ....could have bought Yooka on PS4 or xbone but I like to play my games at home and on the go so waiting for the Switch port.
So is this getting a physical release on Switch, or not?
I should really start Rare Replay on Xbone before this game comes to the Switch.
It actually got good reviews on PC. I bet an 8 here at Nintendolife if they implement all those improvements in time.
I'll buy it for my children eventually. I didn't liked Banjoo-Kazooie 20 years ago, it's not really my cup of tea... Super Mario 64 just put that game in shadow.
I can't wait to play this switch. I rather judge it for myself
Looks like opting for the Switch release might've been a good decision, maybe.
I mean I just hope it performs properly.
I want a 90s 3D platformer as we cannot get Banjo Kazooie, will still buy the physical if it comes out
Could? Just like it "could" come to Wii U?
The reviews read badly, different from most releases. I don't trust them much in this case - I'll be playing it on switch to see for myself.
I'm annoyed by the lack of a release date for switch though. Oh well, there are great games on the horizon anyway.
As I don't have a PS4 or Xbox and my PC is not powerful enough to run it, I've been patiently waiting for the Switch version. The reviews don't deter me because the subjects of their complaints are what I'm looking forward to. I want a 90s game from this, big time.
They get props for not saying it's "good enough" so far.
Game fly shipped my PS4 copy on Monday, hopefully it gets here today, I only have a few days left on my $1 one month trial. Won't be able to play the whole game, just wanted to get a feel for it since there's no demo yet. Then I'll decide whether to get it or not.
I forsee a scenario where the Switch cartridge releases for $40 at the same time the other versions drop to $20 due to the mediocre reviews.
Waiting for the Switch version as a backer. I hate to have to wait on this, but I hate even more to see so many people on social media talk to the team like they're garbage because of it. It's probably more Nintendo's own fault than Playtonics anyway.
Should have been a Wii U/Switch exclusive. XB and PS owners only likes dumb shooters...
@GoldenGamer88 it won't be "better" because all those improvements will be patched into the other versions. Just the launch version of the game will be "better" which means basically nothing sadly because of the modern release now, fix with patches later era we live in
I doubt it will be that better on Switch. Regardless how the controls and camera will improve, the innards of the game will stay the same: timed fetch quests randomly scattered on large levels. It gets pretty annoying in the last 2 worlds.
I really enjoy the game already. It's a solid 8/10. On PC
I'll also get this game despite the not-so-good reviews.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
They specifically said that it "would" come to Wii U, but then eventually that it "couldn't", but I get you.
@Menchi187 Yeah, sorry for the miscommunication. What I meant was that no matter how much better the camera will become, no matter how stable the framerate is, YL will still have major flaws in its characters and overall design choices in terms of gameplay and world layout that no update could ever fix.
Initially I was really excited for this game, but after all the controversy with them and the game itself not even being too good apparently, I don't really know if this game is even worth getting
Camera issues aside the game is lovely and whoever has not played it yet really misses out. Would have gotten better reviews had it been released on a nintendo system I think. PS4 and XBOX gamers arent used to games like that. I have it on PS4 and looking forward to that switch release. Feels like playing a new banjo game-I love it!
Not a very good game at all. Its just so bland and dull. The characters lack the charm of the Banjo crew & are pretty awful really. The camera actually made me feel sick while playing, I gave my copy to my nephew who will hopefully have more luck than me!
I hope they clearly detail what is fixed. Some of these reviews addressed major flaws (or "quirky nostalgia gameplay" segments to those easily triggered) in game design. I don't see patches being able to fix all of it, but if it helps them go down easier I'm all for it.
Speaking of Indies, Yacht Club Games is celebrating Mega May by tweeting two codes for Specter of Torment.
The first code gives Specter Knight a blue robe and allows him to slide down walls and climb them like X from Mega Man X. The second code does the same thing, except with a red robe for all the Zero fans!
Neh. I'm much more interested in Bloodstained. Always have been, always will be. Apples and oranges, I know, but I'd only consider this game if it was on a big sale.
Still hoping for Physical...
This is excellent news, bravo Playtonic! Like many, I was always convinced that Yooka-Laylee should be played on a Nintendo system, so it's great to hear that it'll arrive on Switch in the best possible shape.
[NOTE]: I'm particularly pleased to note that there will be an option to scale back / remove the gibberish 'voice acting'. The ability to hasten through the NPC dialogue is also very much appreciated.
I'm really not sure what to think but imagine I'll get Yooka Laylee eventually when I get a Switch but mostly looking forward to Super Mario Odyssey.
I backed on Wii u and changed my reward to the Switch version quite blindly. Was going to pick it up for another format but the reviews put paid to that. I'm happy to wait on the Switch version knowing that it wasn't quite technically sound.
@Johnvlachos I couldnt agree more. I purcashed xbone version and have enjoyed every minute of it. From the load screens to the Rextro arcade, i cant understand all the negativaty. I mean of course games have improved over the years but this is exactly what was promised a 90's 3d platformer, camera angles and all!
I wonder if the cartridges loading quicker comment will be removed.
Knowing this site it will get an 8/10
Still looking forward to it.
This is a company that Nintendo needs to snap up, and steer!
Can't wait for the Switch version
I just need a release date. I'll no doubt get this game and I said all along that the extra time might make the Switch version rate the best. Either way I really want to play this game and on the go at that.
I get the feeling that despite the effort of graphics, music, humour, narrative, character and scope of a lot modern 3rd party platformers, what they lack is the Miyamoto vision of flow that makes Nintendo platformers so magical.
Even Mario Maker showed it's not easy to get that flow right.
The game had potential and I don't think it's a "bad" game. It just has one too many frustrating challenges (e.g. the timed Hivory Tower challenge involving sliding past force fields with very little time, or some of the mini-games) that can really grate on your nerves if you're a completionist.
I've personally collected everything except the World 3 timed seed rolling challenge pagie (ugh the THORNS + wind), and like 4 of the 5 arcade high score related pagies). I also haven't really confronted the final boss as I've heard it's a pretty tedious battle. Perhaps i'll wait for a patch for some of that.
Awesome! Skipped out on YL for now to get the Switch version when it releases! Hopefully the Switch version will be good.
In still going to get this on Switch. Hope the issues are cleared up.
The Switch version has the potential to be the best version, mainly because they have extra time to address the problems with the other versions and also adds some extra stuff like Nintendo easter eggs.
Fixing some of the issues might just put this back on my watch list again
Backed this on Kickstarter and still waiting for the finished product, since I backed the Switch version. Hopefully, all the improvements will be incorporated into the Day 1 release on the Switch, not as a separate update.
If only, this was a Nintendo exclusive, I am sure Ninty might have step-in to lend them a few of their expertise (maybe the Treehouse team), take out the boring stages, and add-in a few cameos - DK and Diddy , would hav been nice...
@BornInNorway81 The game is fun. I just wish Playtonic handled the retro-feel better and fixed some of the shortcomings from 90's era mascot platformers. I like it, but just can't help but feeling that it could have been so much better.
Hey guys just joined Nintendo Life after noticing users actually making great points either way and backing up their opinions with intelligent responses, rare to find online these days, Good work all round!
I backed Yooka-Laylee the moment I heard about it as I was a huge fan of literally all of Rareware's earlier titles even since the SNES and wanted to secure my copy right away. DKC, Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Diddy Kong Racing, Banjo Kazooie/Tooie. These games were simply momentous to me growing up and I was more than happy to support Playtonic as an adult any way I could.
Humbly, I gave my friend £20 toward Yooka-Laylee just because I wanted him to play it while I waited for my Switch version to arrive, this way everybody wins and Playtonic can bash out a Donkey Kong open world or even a Perfect Dark remake with Nintendo haha! I'd pay for that twice too!
This game is a let down though....
Yooka-Laylee's release was just another opportunity to show the utter ignorance of video game reviewers.
"The developers of Yooka-Laylee are promising an authentic throwback to 90's era platformers, just with modern graphical upgrades. We can't wait to play it!"
Game is released
"WTF, this is just a throwback to 90's era platformers, just with modern graphical upgrades! It should be less like the very thing they promised it would be!"
@Hylian_Greaves I don't think they'd have the rights to Perfect Dark.
I've been waiting for the Switch version regardless. I figured since the actual studio was working on the Switch directly rather than the 3rd party working on the XBone and PS4 versions, that the Switch one would be the best version to play it on. Here's hoping!
Honestly, I didn't get the hype for this game just by the character design and title alone. I wasn't expecting much from it. I am not surprised it wasn't taken in by some gamers. But now reading what it was SUPPOSED to represent from the 90's, that makes a lot ore sense. Hope it gets better for those that invested in it.
No physical copy, no purchase.
Hopefully you guys get to give this game a better review than PushSquare did.
If I hadn't already ran this game to 100% completion on Xbox One, I would be getting this on Nintendo Switch! It is well worth the asking price, though there are a few frustrating parts in the game. Most of the game is brilliant though. A brilliant throwback that is.
@jenkje can't tell if serious or not...
I had a blast with this game last week or so, when I played it to completion. Even with its imperfections, I still loved it, and it's great to hear they're addressing those soon!
@darkscythe13 Those seeds in World 3? Don't push them. Pull them...
@darkscythe13 The seed puzzle is meant to be beaten with Lizard Lash. Hope that helps.
Will pick it up. As long as it stays at the original price, and we don't have to pay for the fixes. 🤡
@FredBiletnikoff A man can dream
Brilliant, I'll definitively get it when it is on the Switch. I don't really care for reviews in this case - too many crucified it for being like a 90s platformer, when it was exactly meant to be that.
@GeminiSaint @KTT I'll go back and give that a try and see how I go. If I succeed at that then all that'll be left is the high score pagies... EDIT - Okay the tongue thing did work. Not sure why I didnt pick up on that. I also got the High Score on the Micro Machines like minigame (fortunately it gives you ample time and slowing down to take the shortcut helps loads). 2 more pagies to go!
One difference between games which I preferred in BK is that there were more than 5 worlds. The worlds themselves are generally okay and its kind of a cool idea to have 'expansion', but feels like there was room for more, or to at least space the collectibles out a bit more onto another world or two. I loved the idea of Click Clockwoods, and its a shame there isnt a level more in line with something like that thrown in somewhere.
EDIT 2 - Okay just finished the game now. There are a few tedious points to the final battle but its not as frustrating as I.N.E.P.T. I also completed the minigames which are still somewhat frustrating but not undoable. Overall I really think the game was worthwhile, but just needs tweaking with certain challenges.
This is a good game. It's a shame that certian critics like to bash good games like this. Push Square also unfairly bashed the game.
However the updates to this game will be quite welcomed by all who are interested in this game.
@StarDust4Ever you and me both!
@Pinkman I believe many people form opinions based on what reviewers say. Even the gamers that decide to give the game a go are so preoccupied with what critics have said they fail to shape their own opinion. Taste in game varies of course, not all people are zombies but to me its unthinkable to be a rareware fan and not like this game. Im positive the comment about loading times on cartridges will be removed if they release it on game card.
This is good. The game itself is already pretty excellent. With a few fixes, I could see this being one of the highlights of the Nintendo Switch eshop.
Wouldn't bet on it that much. More possible, the game will be worse!
This game makes more sense as a physical release on Switch than XB1 and PS4 tbh. As much as I want this game, I'm not spending $60 on a downloaded game. But that's just me.
I backed this game when it was announced some two years ago for the Wii U. And now as a Switch owner I changed my backing to receive it on Switch. Now I'm just "patiently" waiting. Personally I would love to have it in its current state on Switch though a more polished version will reflect better on what the game should be, and help sell the game. It would also be nice if there was some exclusive Switch content for their Nintendo fans. But it sounds like we should see the game on Switch within the month so I can't complain too much. A slight wait won't be that bad in the long run.
@Luna_110 My thought as well. Being a 90s platform isn't a bad thing in my opinion.
This will be $60
I wouldn't want to re-buy the same game I already bought on another platform. If this late port is anything special they needs to include more than just some minor fixes. A new playable character, new side-quest and some nifty new features over the other ports would make me buy this again on Switch but if it's just the same game with minor fix, not gonna bother. They might as well patch the other ports along with it.
Hopefully they get the camera ironed out. Have mostly completed the game (down to ten or so pagies remaining last time I played) and that is really my only gripe.
I'm still getting this. I didn't get it for PS4 because it belongs on a Nintendo system. It will be a great addition to my Small Switch library. I hope it's a physical.
Even if they completely iron out the technical issues, and there were heaps when I played and completed it on PS4, it can't fix the inherent tonal issues and the utter lack of tension in the narrative. In BK, Gruntilda intends to take Tooty's youth and beauty, killing her in the process. In BT, Bottles is killed.
In YL...a mid-management bureaucrat wants to get a magic book to control the world. There are stakes, but they are always abstract, never personal. Neither Yooka nor Laylee experience any kind or degree of loss during the course of the story. They just want to get the book back because it looks old and expensive, and they want to sell it. Wonderful motivation for an adventure.
Add to that the broken difficulty curve; when I can defeat four of the five stage bosses with no deaths but it takes 22 consecutive tries to make it through Hurdle Hijinx, there's an major issue with the game design.
@KTT And that is a theme that actually could have personalised the story, and made it more that a twitchy Banjo clone: give the player a morality choice like the Little Sisters in BioShock. If you sell the book it gives you every achievement except the platinum. The only way to get that the only way to get that is to redeem yourself by getting 100% a second playthrough, refusing the offer and the tonic that Capital B takes before the boss fight either doubles the damage he does or halves the damage you do to him.
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