Yoku's Island Express

 Switch
Yoku's Island Express Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

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  • Summary: Yoku’s Island Express is an open world/metroidvania-style pinball adventure, Seamlessly blending platform navigation with pinball mechanics across a large open world.

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Yoku's Island Express - 10 Minutes Of Gameplay

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. DarkStation
    Jun 21, 2018
    100
    Yoku's Island Express is out on basically everything, and wherever you can grab it, I heavily recommend it. The game is just an absolute treat from top to bottom, perfect even for people who aren't particularly interested in pinball. It puts these two genres together extremely well, making them both feel fresh and fun in a way I haven't seen in a good bit. The kind of imagination and design on display is always great to see, and you'll find yourself wishing for more as soon as the credits roll.
  2. Nintendo Life
    May 29, 2018
    90
    Yoku's Island Express is a genuine breath of fresh air, combining pinball and Metroidvania mechanics in a way that feels truly inspired. Add in one of the most appealing fantasy worlds you'll find on the eShop, and you have yourself an instant left-field classic.
  3. Destructoid
    May 31, 2018
    90
    Yoku's Island Express is a delight, plain and simple. It's gorgeous, plays beautifully, and I hope it's the start of a new franchise, because I want to play a lot more of this.
  4. Metro GameCentral
    May 29, 2018
    80
    A strangely successful mix of genres that plays both a mean pinball and a highly competent game of Metroidvania, and all wrapped up in some utterly charming presentation.
  5. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jul 17, 2018
    80
    Who said Metroidvania and pinball can’t exist in the same game? Yoku’s Island Express shows the opposite by being a great game, thanks to very uncommon and never frustrating gameplay.
  6. Edge Magazine
    Jun 21, 2018
    80
    It's almost tempting to say that this feels like the combination of pinball and platforming that Sonic The Hedgehog wishes it was. [Aug 2018, p.108]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Digitally Downloaded
    May 30, 2018
    70
    For the most part though, Yoku’s Island Express is a lot of wholesome, whimsical fun. It manages to make the hybrid of two disparate genres work in some inspired ways, and the result is a unique game full of surprises that is sure to delight players. The only flaw is when the mechanics outweigh their welcome and stop feeling unique – the moments where Yoku is just a pinball game, or just a Metroidvania, are generally the weakest.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 36
  3. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. blawren4
    Jan 2, 2019
    10
    This game was pure charm and unique mechanics. Totally enjoyable from beginning to end. Great for handheld play as well and you'll want toThis game was pure charm and unique mechanics. Totally enjoyable from beginning to end. Great for handheld play as well and you'll want to 100% the game. It's not a difficult game, but still very fun and worth playing.… Expand
  2. duckwaffles
    Nov 4, 2021
    10
    Never thought I would like a pinball game, but boy did this game change my mind. Absolutely spectacular! Even though the story is simple, theNever thought I would like a pinball game, but boy did this game change my mind. Absolutely spectacular! Even though the story is simple, the side quests are a blast and the experience is very fun and enjoyable. The gameplay really shines without almost any sort of gimmicks interrupting. It is just a giant open pinball world to explore and enjoy.… Expand
  4. nanokiwi
    Jun 2, 2018
    10
    The most fun I can remember having with an indie game. It is delightful and addictive, with fun new mechanics introduced throughout. IngeniousThe most fun I can remember having with an indie game. It is delightful and addictive, with fun new mechanics introduced throughout. Ingenious combination of pinball and platformer.… Expand
  5. alza2
    Jun 20, 2021
    9
    Had this game for a while and didn't play till this week. The entire world is beautiful, lots of attention to details. The whole mechanics areHad this game for a while and didn't play till this week. The entire world is beautiful, lots of attention to details. The whole mechanics are solid and innovative. Plus these are well developed. It feels good to play. The variety is high. There is a lot to do. The story is good. Characters are different and not just dull, but not memorable either like in Hollow Knight. NPC are fun and have their characteristics.

    On the few negative side.
    - To get from 1 place to another it can be quite frustrating till half of the game, but maybe because I have zero sense of direction. It's still fun to roam around. I happen to move freely forgetting where I was heading and not worrying, Oh yeah there is no loosing or dying in this game, which does not mean that it's easy.
    - The map on the switch screen is very small and there is only 2 zoom options. It's still too small
    - User is bombarded by tasks, most are optional but it's difficult to keep track of all    … Expand
  6. Daisuk
    Jul 24, 2020
    8
    Very original concept, and well executed. It's probably a bit too much on the easy side of things, but it's fun to play, the music is nice andVery original concept, and well executed. It's probably a bit too much on the easy side of things, but it's fun to play, the music is nice and the graphics are great. Overall a game well worth playing.… Expand
  7. nitorita
    Apr 1, 2023
    8
    An incredibly solid and unique Metroidvania designed to look and feel like Ori and the Blind Forest, but with pleasantly chill vibes andAn incredibly solid and unique Metroidvania designed to look and feel like Ori and the Blind Forest, but with pleasantly chill vibes and pinball as the primary mechanic instead.

    The game is not overly complex and doesn't necessitate too much backtracking as you are free to approach the many different quests in your own desired order and pace.

    It is definitely one of the better games available for the Nintendo Switch that is truly "E for Everyone", and worth trying out.    … Expand
  8. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    i expected much more about this game it all. the stages are really easy. im so sad.

See all 36 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Best Switch Game of 2018
49
#49 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
58
#58 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

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