Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

I will begin by saying that if you're a completionnist, you're in for a bad time. Having to find 5 hidden coins in each of the 40 levels + some hidden exits + having to collect as much feathers as possible make the game frustrating. Also, there is some mandatory farming, which doesn't make sense to me in a 2.5d platformer. If you're not a completionnist, you will suffer less, but the game still has flaws. The first game was an homage to Banjo-Kazooie. This one takes inspiration from Donkey Kong Country and Yoshi's Island. The former by the controls, the collectibles in each level, and the overrall difficulty. Some levels are unforgiving, and pretty much every underwater section was frustrating. Also, there was too much "wait for the platforms to allow you to pass" moments for me. The latter by using the "baby Mario" mechanic. Here, when we get hit, Laylee flies around you for a bit beofre disappearing. Two issues with this mechanic. 1/The time during which Laylee flies around you, sometimes longer than needed and other times too short. 2/The "pathfinding". She will often times dodge you, when she is not stuck on ennemies/terrain/out of bounds. Talking about OoB, I managed once to go there, because there was no hitbox on a part of a wall. Some walls/obstacles lacked hitboxes, while a lot of walls and roofs felt like they were traversable (to hide a secret behind) and were not. This makes the game feel unpolished, which is a shame, because so much effort was poured into this game, especially with each level having two versions. Each version being so different from the other than it feels like a brand new level. Other than that, the tonics are a great addition, allowing the player to change their experience. But you have to pay for every one of them. Finally, having each level put into this big and "open" overworld, with hidden collectibles and riddles in it, forces the player to breath between them, sweetening the experience.

I claimed this game from the Epic store when it was free. This game is probably the only "AAA" game on par with Donkey Kong Country Returns and Tropical Freeze, both in terms of Graphics quality and level design. The levels aren't difficult, but challenging. The levels can be finished in a breeze, but tracking down all 5 T.W.I.T. coins in each one proves your mettle. I'm a seasoned platform player, and it had a few head-scratchers hidden in the levels. It was satisfying to complete, in most ways I don't get nowadays. Certainly an improvement in game direction over Yooka Laylee, and a sign of good things to come for Playtonics!

As a Banjo-Kazooie and old RARE WARE days fan, I couldn't be happier about the new Yooka-Laylee: And the Impossible Lair. In my opinion, the first Yooka-Laylee had big environments and a level design which I didn't enjoy at it's fullest. In this new entry I'm seeing a big improvement in all fronts. Although I prefer 3D adventures, this second 2.5D instalment is better than the first one. Loving the level design, the graphics, the music, the characters and the ton of content and unlockables that it provides so far. As others mention, the base platforming gameplay it's very similar to Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. However there are many differences. The main HUB is particularly interesting, as you unlock your path, discover secrets and solve simple puzzles and challenges. Also talking to the characters to get clues or proceed. The platforming is the best part, and where you play almost all the time. But some parts, specially if you're willing to collect all TWIT Coins and quills, are a bit difficult. Nonetheless there are special tonics, which can be equipped and can make your playthrough easier. And if you fail a few times in a certain area, the game gives you the chance to avoid it and go straight to the next area inside the level. Overall I strongly recommend it, It's well worth it at it's normal price.

You cannot rebind controls in this game. The default keyboard controls are so nonsensical that it's not worth even trying to play.

You can tell when a game has been built by people who really cared about what they were doing. It really shows, in a hundred little ways. For example, compare the feel of 'Planet Coaster' with 'Rollercoaster Tycoon World'. One feels like a slick, polished game full of charm and atmosphere. The other is a terrible, buggy cash-in. Thankfully, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair fits into the first category. It was built by the same people as the original Donkey Kong Country. It has the same feel and mechanics, right down to the DK barrels being replaced by Laylee bells. It's a slick, beautiful platform game with excellent level design, a memorable soundtrack and it oozes charm. Unusually, the game starts with the final boss level, which you will lose because it's insanely difficult. From there, you move through all the levels of the game, collecting power-ups as you go. You can return to the boss level any time you want, no matter how many of the levels you've completed. But the more levels you complete, the easier it is. The level design is incredibly varied and never gets stale. Each level has two variations, which you can switch between by solving puzzles on the 3D overworld. For example, a level full of waterfalls freezes over, adding new challenges. A desert level becomes a lush jungle. A factory level full of conveyor belts gets flipped, so all the conveyor belts run the other way and making jumps much more difficult. This game gives you as much of a challenge as you want. If you want to do the bare minimum and make it to the end of each level alive, you can (although you will need to collect some TWIT coins to unlock later levels). If you want to be a completionist and collect every single coin and every single power-up, you can. It's completely up to you. If you enjoyed platform games back in the day and are looking for something modern and fun, this is the game for you. You won't regret buying it.