It is more than a remaster, it is an improved version of a game that needed it and that now looks and plays much better.
Take a look at these other reviews
- Review of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection – Test your might!
- Review of Wreckreation – Burnout and Need For Speed DNA
- Review of Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition Part One
| Don't miss anything and follow us on Google News! |
There are names that have left their mark on this industry, and they’ve done it in a big way. I’m referring to the defunct Rareware of the 2000s, which spawned a creature called Banjo-Kazooie, one of the titles that, in my opinion, surpassed what was achieved in the platforming genre by the plumber (at the time).
That great team that once made us dream dissolved and returned under the Playtonic Games label, which in 2017 gave us Yooka-Laylee, which at first glance was a clear successor to the legacy of the bear and the bird. Additionally, what this new studio achieved was well received by all players, and I include myself.
And as if by magic, the chameleon and the bat return with a new remaster, one that aims to exceed expectations and become what the studio really wanted to deliver to us the first time. Yooka-Replaylee is among us and it’s worth trying.
Technical Section
If there’s one thing we loved about the original game, it was its visual style and artistic aspect: it was very striking and charming from any angle. It had that spark that made us want to be part of this adventure, and that gave it a great charm.
Now, Yooka-Replaylee is a colossal and vibrant feast that has surprised us thunderously, as it has set the bar very high for what a remaster should be. And it’s that the facelift applied to the game is impressive.
The textures and resolution have been improved, but this doesn’t end here. We have new dynamic effects in terms of lighting and water. The trees and leaves now look like what they are. It’s not to detract from the original work, but the change has exceeded our expectations.
In addition to that, we have a subtle redesign in enemies, secondary characters, and scenarios, something that is amazing, considering it’s the same game, only now more polished than ever. They’ve really achieved something very beautiful that will delight the eyes of more than one.
Everything I’ve described is complemented by an improved soundtrack. If it was already great, they’ve managed to do something superior. Grant Kirkhope, David Wise, and Steve Burke are behind this work, and they continue to shine with each theme, all in tune with what we see on screen and allowing for a very organic game.
If you see Yooka-Replaylee, you’ll fall in love like I did, with no negative details in the technical aspect, with a very polished and attractive scheme. It’s a new way to enjoy this experience that feels renewed and deserves to be played if you’re new to the series. Although, if you’re a veteran, you can’t miss how spectacular it looks.
Gameplay
One of the most notable aspects of a game comes from its gameplay. In this case, we return with an adventure that had its inception a while ago and makes its own some mechanics already known within the world of platforming experiences.
The above reminds us that this title is a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, since its creators are part of the team that was in charge of the latter. Therefore, we’re facing a collectathon style, which usually gives us good moments.
Something you must understand is that the game’s base remains almost intact, although it contains improvements, such as a renovated camera, being more versatile and less problematic than in the original. Another important detail comes with improved handling: it no longer feels so rough and flows more naturally, although it still has room for improvement.
In this way, the game becomes more accessible to everyone. Not content with the above, one of the common complaints about the first installment was the empty or activity-lacking levels. Now you’ll find plenty to do, and this is gratifying, as you’ll see something to entertain yourself with in every corner; you know, the classic missions.
One of the objectives to stop Capital B is the recovery of the Pagies, the book leaves that we must collect throughout the levels. These were previously 145 and now they’ve doubled their number to a staggering 300, so we have a lot of work ahead of us to entertain ourselves.
The above I love, only that some players may find it not very entertaining to invest a large amount of time to achieve this important number. Although these are necessary to advance through the story, don’t worry, not all of them are mandatory to finish the game.
If all this seems like not enough, I’ll tell you that we have special incentives, such as tonics that adjust the gameplay, to make it more accessible or even more challenging, all according to each person’s tastes.
We’ll also have cosmetics that we can exchange for coins, which will allow us to have a visual feast and have our characters look stylish. I know, it’s very aesthetic, but they look charming as they go through each challenge and test in an elegant way.
In summary, Yooka-Replaylee is very fun and entertaining, and it will provide you with many hours of gameplay. Its improvements reaffirm that we’re facing its definitive version, and it’s a pleasure to see that the differences are noticeable compared to its troubled 2017 launch. If you like this type of game, you can’t miss this triumphant return.
Duration
Yooka-Replaylee‘s adventure is the type of game that won’t let you go and invites you to explore, discover, and continue through each of its worlds, which are not precisely small and encourage you to search for every collectible scattered throughout the levels.
It’s easy to spend many hours in the game, as there’s so much to know and do that your journey can exceed twenty hours, and I’m really short on this, because this number only marks the beginning of everything that’s to come.
Remember that it’s a collectathon type game; obviously, it will depend on you if you want to search for everything that’s hidden, although you also have options to give variety to your playthrough. You have outfits to look stylish. Either way, the game’s content remains more than generous and will keep you very busy.
Conclusion
It’s not easy to return in a year when we have games as diverse and of such good quality. Although we can thank Playtonic Games for having achieved an excellent job improving what they did in 2017, leaving us with the definitive version of their work.
Perhaps the problem with the game is that it’s now bigger than ever, and not all players can enjoy spending hours collecting a larger number of Pagies. Additionally, if you already played the original, the improvements, despite being very good, may not be enough to motivate you to play it again.
To conclude, it’s a beautiful game that stands out for its renewed visual aspect, and that’s appreciated. It’s for both kids and adults, a title that will make you remember that Banjo-Kazooie from the 90s. An essential part of the Xbox catalog that you’ll enjoy for many hours.
*Thanks to Playtonic Games for providing us with the material for this analysis.
Video game, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch enthusiast. Frank is one of the most active video game news writers on the web. He covers absolutely every topic. In terms of games reviewed, as of 2024 he has already passed the 60 mark and his average score, according to Open Critic is 80.
Related Post
