Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

 Switch
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

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  • Summary: Yooka & Laylee are back in a brand-new platform hybrid adventure. They must run, jump and roll their way through a series of challenging 2D levels, face a puzzling Overworld and rally the Royal Bee-tallion to take down Capital B and his Impossible Lair.
    * The overworld isn't just a hub to    Yooka & Laylee are back in a brand-new platform hybrid adventure. They must run, jump and roll their way through a series of challenging 2D levels, face a puzzling Overworld and rally the Royal Bee-tallion to take down Capital B and his Impossible Lair.
    * The overworld isn't just a hub to hop from level to level, it provides a whole separate gaming experience. Explore and unlock more 2D levels by completing objectives and puzzles, rescue Royal Bees and find collectibles.
    * Alternate Level States. Think you've got a level figured out? Try it in its alternate state! Flip switches in the overworld to create new landscapes.
    * Bee-at the Impossible Lair. Players are free to tackle Capital B's Impossible Lair at any time; however, they may find it too much of a challenge without the help of the Royal Bee Guards.    … Expand
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Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair - 2D Platforming Gameplay | PAX West 2019

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Attack of the Fanboy
    Oct 23, 2019
    90
    Even with plenty of superb 2D platformers releasing in recent years, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair easily belongs alongside the best the generation has to offer thanks to excellent level design and platforming that is evocative of past classics from the genre.
  2. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Oct 3, 2019
    90
    Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair marries a variety of platforming mechanics in a meaty campaign with tons of challenges ahead. It’s as polished as it is focused and as true to the genre as you can get. Now, sign me up for the next one.
  3. Areajugones
    Oct 4, 2019
    90
    A proposal that maintains a great difficulty curve and a unique structure, which borrows from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, for the most skilled.
  4. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 3, 2019
    80
    Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is, at its worst, an enjoyable 2D platformer. Some of the level design is a tiny bit pedestrian, but the dynamic duo have a versatile moveset that helps make rolling around levels fun. Where this game shines is in the sum of its parts. The individual levels might not be outstanding, but combining those with alternate versions and a light and engrossing overworld make the whole package that is Playtonic’s second game a thrilling one. They might not have regained the crown from Retro Studios in the realm of Donkey Kong Country-like games, but they certainly retained the googly eyes.
  5. Jeuxvideo.com
    Oct 11, 2019
    80
    Yooka-Laylee finally succeeds in bringing the platformer to the next level. With an original structure, made of puzzle and reverse narration, this new episode brings a fresh OST and some great ideas, while being sometimes too difficult or unprecise. A really good game for nostalgics and newcommers.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 8, 2019
    80
    Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a great homage to the Donkey Kong Country series, mixing its 2D mechanics with a 3D worl map to explore. The last level is always accessible to try out, but the collectibles you will find along your journey gives the game a tiny feels of an RPG. With so many secrets to fond across both the levels and the environment, there are plenty interesting things to look out in PlayTonic's second game.
  7. GameSpot
    Oct 6, 2019
    60
    Having to backtrack through stages to eventually reach and tackle the Impossible Lair would be more tolerable if the final encounter wasn't such a steep difficulty spike, but in truth it's likely you'll tire of its routine platforming well before that disappointment sets in. The Impossible Lair is definitely a better attempt at capturing the magic of platformers than Yooka-Laylee's first crack at it, but it's still not remarkable. If you're itching to return to a bygone era, then The Impossible Lair might scratch it. Just don't expect much beyond that.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. Outriders
    Oct 8, 2019
    10
    Bardzo dobra gra platformowa. Piekna i kolorowa i bardzo grywalna. Czołowka platformerow na switchu
  2. artiestein
    Oct 25, 2019
    10
    Well after playing this game for 2 weeks, it reminds me of a combo of Zelda and Donkey Kong Country.
    Bottom line Yooka Laylee the impossible    Well after playing this game for 2 weeks, it reminds me of a combo of Zelda and Donkey Kong Country.
    Bottom line Yooka Laylee the impossible Lair is downright FUN    … Expand
  4. wiiroy
    Dec 21, 2019
    10
    I’m having so much fun with this game. I did not expect it to be this good. The platforming levels are like top-tier Donkey Kong CountryI’m having so much fun with this game. I did not expect it to be this good. The platforming levels are like top-tier Donkey Kong Country levels. The overworld is kinda like 2D Zelda - providing some really welcome breaks between the intense platforming levels, while still being intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. It a mix which, for me, puts the game above Donkey Kong Country. The game is honestly beautiful on Switch. Certainly one of the best looking switch games and it runs at a solid 60fps, which only makes the super-tight controls even better. And the music! So so good!

    I waited for a sale to buy this one and I really didn’t need to. The game is certainly worth the full price.    … Expand
  5. EROCKQ
    Oct 11, 2019
    10
    Similarly to the first game, this one is being trashed by many people for what are obviously the wrong reasons. If this game looks interestingSimilarly to the first game, this one is being trashed by many people for what are obviously the wrong reasons. If this game looks interesting to you, you will love it. Great exploring and puzzles on the overworld, and fun platforming levels.… Expand
  6. Miguel22
    Dec 28, 2019
    9
    Gran juego de plataformas, divertidísimo de jugar. 60 fps sólidos, gran diseño de niveles y buena banda sonora.

    Lo único malo que puedo    Gran juego de plataformas, divertidísimo de jugar. 60 fps sólidos, gran diseño de niveles y buena banda sonora.

    Lo único malo que puedo decir es la poca variedad de enemigos.    … Expand
  7. dib1313
    Nov 4, 2019
    9
    Wow! This game gets really close to be a real DKC (Snes style) successor. I definitely recommend this one! The exploration of the overworld isWow! This game gets really close to be a real DKC (Snes style) successor. I definitely recommend this one! The exploration of the overworld is awesome and it have some good levels too.

    I wish only to suggest a few things for the next one:

    1 - Make two playable characters like in real DKC (Diddy and Dixie) (For the next one I suggest some cliche like Laylee was kidnapped and Yooka and his cousin will search for her)

    2 - Implement an way to exit the level that you already have finished without losing the Trowzer coins

    3 - Design the level to have only one checkpoint (several checkpoints like Rayman origins style is getting boring)

    4 - Instead of 5 generic Trowzer coins in each level, put only two Trowzer coins per level with bonus level challenge to acquire each one (DKC style again)

    5 - Include some boss levels in the overworld (the player have to beat the boss to gain access to new area, no more paywalls)

    6 - Include a secret world where you have spend the Trowzer coins to play new levels (paywalls only in the secret world)

    7 - Put a single special coin in each level (like a DKC coin in DKC2 and DKC3). Make it an extra... maybe an 4th slot reward only.

    Follow those steps and your game will be the GOTY    … Expand
  8. GermanGarmendio
    Oct 9, 2019
    0
    I love the first game, seriously! But this is one of the worst games i have ever played:

    -First of all, the story. The story is bad, since    I love the first game, seriously! But this is one of the worst games i have ever played:

    -First of all, the story. The story is bad, since a lot of boring new characters appear and the humor that characterized the first installment doesnt appear at all.
    -The graphics are pretty nice but the 30 FPS are not tolerable.
    -The gameplay is generic so dont expect too much.
    -Dlc and general gameplay. Is broken! And the DLC add more frustration!
    Dont buy this game! :P    … Expand

See all 21 User Reviews

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