"This game is just as good as Tropical Freeze!" -Slams down glass and double takes Really glad to hear the team seems to have found their footing. Here's to hoping their next 3D game turns out great with this experience.

Glad YookaLaylee is finding its footing, would like to see another 3D game once they’re ready

6:40- "Don't worry. There's no real money required here." Mario Kart Tour: **Sweats Nervously*

"Yooka-Laylee Racing, anyone?" Don't tempt them. Knowing Playtonic, they just might.

Any platformer that reminds me of DKC2 or Tropical Freeze is an instant buy for me.

The thing that people forget about both Yooka Laylee games, is that they're low budget indie games for niche audiences, rather than big budget system sellers made by one of the big console owners.

I was hoping this would live up to tropical freeze, definitely buying this

Definitely getting this, tropical freeze is one of my favorite games. Also yeah a Yooka Racing in the style of Diddy Kong racing would be a great next project for them and a new Diddy Kong racing has been wanted for years, but don't copy it 1 for 1 just inspired by it is good enough.

These guys are the creators of the SNES donkey kongs, so they're the OGs

The idea of the final level being acessible from the beginning really came as a twist! Maybe that means there's a special reward for beating it on the go, and that you can tackle it whenever you feel ready. It's a pretty smart idea, sorta like Breath of the Wild, but in a platformer! Edit: What?! 136 likes?! That's the most I've ever got! 😁

I like how Playtonic Games made a game based on a game based on a game they once made. It’s come full circle. But then they brilliantly added elements of Wario Land, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Yooka-Laylee.

Considering that Playtonic were former RARE developers who created the original Donkey Kong Country series on the SNES in the first place, it is refreshing to see them get back to basics and find some inspiration from Retro Studios that took what make the original games great. Retro perfected it in Donkey Kong Returns series, now Playtonic perfected the perfection of their inspiration. I am impressed seeing how well the game is played. Nintendo needs to give Playtonic a huge contract to half own the company like they did with RARE in the 90s so we can see the magic of the SNES and N64 days. Micro Transactions suck in today's games but thankfully this developer knows that you can unlock the bonus stages with in-game currency, just like how games used to be in the past.

I find it kinda sad/funny that this game is being compared to Retro’s interpretation (Tropical Freeze) of the original donkey Kong country game, a game originally made by these same people (Rare/Playtonic) 25 years ago

Definitely buying this, I'm happy that Yooka-Laylee are on the right track

The combination of the music and visuals makes me feel something. No idea what, but something positive.

Day one pick up for sure, this is just what I was hoping for.

Oh wow, this came out with little fanfare. Maybe if it does well, Playtonic will try 3D platformers again sometime?

I just finished Tropical Freeze (And I loved it). So definitely picking up this.

"Top tropical freeze" *laughs in banana*

As someone who liked Yooka Laylee anyways, I’m soooo hyped for this!

Does this game have a new Funky Kong mode?

I’m so glad to hear that it’s similar to tropical freeze. Absolutely gettin this!

I wouldn’t mind seeing Yooka Laylee Racing game in the future. I’m looking forward to getting this game on the Nintendo Switch. 😊

This is a relief to hear. When I heard it was a DKC clone, I was not very excited. I love Banjo-Kazooie, which is why I wanted Yooka-Laylee in the first place. But I never really liked the Donkey Kong games. But I might pick this one up after a glowing review like this xD And now hopefully, they will make a true sequel to the original and give us another great 3D collectathon, since Mario Odyssey proved that they still work very well~

Funny how Risk of Rain was 2D with a 3D sequel, and then this is the reverse

I loved Yooka Laylee and am very glad to hear they've made a big impact in another genre (even though I haven't heard much about it to this point). I've been eagerly awaiting YL's successor, and hopefully the experience and feedback of these two titles will bring some real magic to their next 3D endeavor.

This game's gonna have an awesome speedrunning community. I'm especially looking forward to seeing an Any% run.

Great review Andre! Really excited to pick this one up!

Just ordered this from amazon I’ll get it tonight, nice little Christmas Eve present to play after putting the kids presents under the tree

NICE, it may lack epic setpieces but if it has personality and good gameplay, i'm all for it. I was a bit skeptical with original YL, so this'll be my entry point.

Nice review, I might give this a try at some point!

WHOA! I'm super happy to hear this! I liked Yooka-Laylee but I've never had the urge to return to it like I do (on a yearly basis) with Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie. I've also been to... frugal... to get DKC:TF on the Switch despite really like it on the Wii U. The final level being accessible from the very beginning is also a really cool idea! Well... Guess I'll get it! I've been holding out for a high quality 2D platformer on the Switch since Sonic Mania.

Alright. I'm interested now. :D Thanks for this awesome review!

Didn't even know this game was coming out this week! But definitely getting it when it goes on sale on black Friday in November.

I'm happy you were able to enjoy this as much as you did, André! That makes me even more excited to go pick it up for myself! Hope you and everyone else who reads this have a wonderful day!

I can’t wait for this one! I would love them to try another collect a thon at some point, but I’ll happily take this!

Yooka Laylee backer since day 1! So pumped for this! Preordered on Xbox One but will probably be picking up the Switch version down the road.

Just purchased on Steam. I was eyeing this game casually, but now I’m convinced. There are some really cool ideas in this

Well I mean the game WAS made by staff that worked on DK country series on the SNES. So no it wasn’t copying Tropical Freeze, these guys just know how to make 2D platformers. I’m excited for this game.

Hoping the next Yooka game takes inspiration from either Prefect Dark, JFG or Blast Corp.

Looks like I’ll definitely pick this up when I finally completely finished Tropical Freeze.

Andre do you realize that Witcher 3, Ring Fit, Luigi's Mansion 3 are all coming out this week and I'm only maybe 15% through DQXIS:EoaEA:DE? How the heck am I supposed to squeeze this in?????

Dang! I'm super impressed with the game design, especially with the world map and the Impossible Lair. That's so cool!

It really seems like Playtonic found their footing with this one. Glad to see it because there's very clearly sp much talent at that studio.

This made me think of giving it a try now. Good job André!

This whole situation reminds me of when back in the day a lot of franchises went 3d some worked some just were bad but like Rayman and donkey Kong went back to 2d

That sounds awesome Andre. I happy to hear that Playtonic did a great job because I would love to get more games in the future. By the way I absolutely love the main theme.

Wow, this actually looks like a good game. I avoided playing the original Yooka-Laylee for multiple reasons, but I might definitely give this a look into.

I played Tropical Freeze on the Switch last year and loved it. Now I really want to play this too!

I'm sold on this one

I love the look of this, cant wait to play it!

This was exactly what I was waiting for!

Hello people from the Internet, please support this studio. They keep the spirit up. Buy their games!

I was never big on Tropical Freeze, for the simple reason that I didn't enjoy how the levels were unlocked and how you could find secret ones (most secret levels were just accessed by "find this exit in the level that requires Dixie or Diddy or Cranky). The idea of a detailed 3D hub world connecting every level and even unlocking and having environmental effects on extra levels makes me interested in this title, because it fixes exactly what I didn't like about Tropical Freeze by replacing it with something completely new and interesting

This game is the reverse Gex. Its a 3D platformer featuring a playable lizard that became a 2D platformer in the sequel.

It also borrows the fun factor of how you collect feathers in a bunch a little more from the 2010 Rayman games! E.g feather paths in arcs and vine sliding paths!

That GB green filter might have done it for me. Hope there is a demo for it soon

Well, I guess they finally found their footing. I do kind of hope they try a 3D platformer again, but with less focus on sheer quantity as opposed to quality.

Downloading now & I can't wait to play it o yeah ! ♡

As someone who was okay with the original Yooka-Laylee and who enjoyed Tropical Freeze, This information pleases me greatly.

I really want a Yooka-Laylee 2 that fixes it to be more like Banjo-Kazooie when it comes to controls (movement was slippery in YL) and collectible placements actually meaning something

enjoyed every second of this lovely game, and it's def. on pair with dkc tf. thanks playtonic, i hope u will be satisifed with the sales.

I'm super happy with the game living up to Tropical Freeze's heights and also doing things to stand out comparatively. It definitely caught my eye because of how closely it resembled and was compared to Tropical Freeze considering that's my favorite game of all time. And between David Wise and Grant Kirkhope's music, good looking gameplay, and unique ideas, I'll definitely be picking this game up... eventually. I want to play the first game as well just to properly get a feel for the whole of Yooka-Laylee and I want to form my own opinion on the original Yooka-Laylee.

It would be pretty cool if there could be a possible crossover

Ima go buy this game now

Playtonic is delivering the quality gameplay we always knew they were capable of and I could not be more proud of them. From a small team starting off on Kickstarter to making a game that lives up to one of the greatest 2D platformers of all time is incredible.

I didn't grab Yooka-Laylee initially, but I was kind of bummed that the initial game didn't reach everyone's expectations, especially since a friend of mine is a big B&K fan. Glad to hear that The Impossible Lair landed on its feet and turned out well :)

Nice! Maybe I'll check it out. When does it come out?

Yes! This makes me so freaking happy

Come on! The whole review makes it sound like it should be a Loved! Give Yooka-Laylee some love! (Awesome review, btw. Definitely-ish buying)

Looking forward to this, and i hope their next 3D game improves a lot in terms of gameplay. And world building

Man I'm even more sold on this now... Good thing I need to go in to EB Games today anyway. I'll grab this while picking up my GRID VIP Edition Pre-Order 👍

Praises to David Wise!! I swear he doesn't get enough credit for his music! Has he ever won a lot of awards?? Is he well known for his work outside the gaming industry?? Is he even getting the pay he deserves!!! Give this man his flowers while he's still here with us!!!!!!

But does it have a funky mode?

Sounds like an incredible game, like the masterpiece Tropical Freeze. I'm buying it soon.

Retro Studios: We made the best DKC game! Playtonic, The Ghost of rareware: Hold my tea.

I hope the next game they are in production with is Yooka-Laythree racing!😊

I almost wonder if this is the first game this team should have made before the original Yooka-Laylee. It seems as though they really have a much better footing here in this style of game than 3-D (ironically). I'm really looking forward to this game and I am gonna preorder this, thanks for the review GX!

I didn't even know they were making a 2D platformer. I may pick this one up at some point.

Looks like the Kickstarter Indies (Playtonic and ArtPlay specifically) are going to have a bright future, and that makes me very happy. If only Comcept could do that for Mighty No. 9...

Excuse me! WAS THAT A FREAKIN' BEE PUN AT 8:03 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Whoa that Richard Jewel trailer before this....!

I actually liked Yooka Laylee, especially the 5th world. Look forward to playing this one too.

Damn I though he would go with a “loved it”. Andre is a hard sell lol!

I never even knew this game existed.

Happy for Playtonic it look like the series will be going in a 2D approach from now on I might get this.

So they decided to take a step back while also learning from other modern game developers? Excellent, a lot of the confidence in them I had lost is now back.

I can’t wait for yooka-laylee screws and nails

It's not taking style from tropical freeze, it's taking style from DKC, which the developers worked on in the 90's at Rare.

I’m just happy that Playtonic’s still kicking after the mixed reception Yooka Laylee got. Here’s hoping their next game is a collectathon tour-de-force.

I just bought this but haven't played yet, I'm playing Crash 4 right now. These graphics look great 10/10 for me. Gameplay looks solid too. Oh, I also have Tropical Freeze

I didn't think the original YL was as bad as many reviewers seemed you think, but still I love 2d platformers, so I'm happy to hear that this is a great game.

I anxious await Yooka's Bad Scaly Day.

Mh... the fact that this game is far better received than its predecessor leaves me to think about: maybe after rejoining together after such a long time, the former Rare employees just needed their time to pull everything together before working well again, and they needed time to do such thing. The first Yooka Laylee was quite a rocky start, but the fact that this 2d entry is way better, makes me think that Playtonic AKA the TRUE Rare will gradually regain its edge and return to its former glory with the time. If that's the case then I'm totally cool with that. It's true what they say: the best things always come when you don't expect them. :D

Hey is it 40 levels as 20 levels with two different forms or is it 40 levels with 2 paths in each of them? Thanks for the review- so excited

Can you use the D-pad or is it just the analog stick?

I will definitely try this. I find it hard to believe that it's even close to being as good as Tropical Freeze. Tropical freeze is one of the best games ever made, imo. It is perfect in almost every way and has transcendent level design.

As much as I love this game I still want a yooka-laylee and banjo-kazooie mashup.

Yesss! I was never going to preorder this game after Yooka Laylee came close to being what I wanted it to be but ultimately fell flat. That said, I desperately want Playtonic to succeed and I am so glad to hear positive things about this game! I will be buying it before long.

Thank god this game ended up being good. I initially it looked really slow and boring but now I might pick it up in a bit.