Yoku’s Island Express Review on PlayStation 4

Pinball is back. The hand cramping mechanics, questionable physics, and unnervingly addictive pleasure of an arcade classic steps into the light with a twenty-first century makeover. Swedish developer, Villa Gorilla, has sculpted a new genre into existence with YOKU’S ISLAND EXPRESS for PS4. Equal parts pinball and Metroid, this open world arcade revival is a surprisingly pleasurable delight. Traverse the landscape from sand to snow as you uncover the mysteries of the island—one mailbox at a time.

YOKU’S ISLAND EXPRESS is a plethora of combinations that really should not work, but dazzle in spite. The unorthodoxy of just about everything in this game gives it its unique flavor. Yoku, a brightly colored beetle of the dung variety, takes the lead as our pocket-sized protagonist. Attached to Yoku is a string connecting him to his sophisticated form of transportation—a ball. Roll with Yoku as he embarks on the first day of his new career—head postmaster for the eccentric and interactive island of Mokumana.

The storyline is richer than it appears. As you roll Yoku around the Mokumana Island, interesting secrets unfurl. Immerse yourself in this beautiful paradise by delivering posts and packages to the colorfully cooky locals, dodge perilous detours as you complete complex side quests, and save the island from a mysterious disruption. Earn helpful goodies along your journey as you help strange creatures and conquer puzzles. One of the best rewards comes in the form of a slug vacuum (because why wouldn’t it?) to help you get through new tunnels and clear otherwise blocked pathways.

I fail to find anything inherently flawed about YOKU’S ISLAND EXPRESS. Any operational frustrations are pretty much user error, as Villa Gorilla has done an excellent job with consistent and simplistic game controls. The characters are charming, lending a cutesy quality of the Animal Crossing days’ past. There is not much of a learning curve, so for those casual gamers or first-timers looking for an engaging pastime, this is a game that is easy to pick up and even easier to steal your attention. My one gripe is with the tedium that ensues while getting from point A to point B on this massive map—Mokumana Island is deceptively large. Backtracking from one side of the island to the other is definitely a quality of this game that I wish had a fast-forward button or a teleportation system. You will consider pulling your hair out at least once when you climb high to reach your objective, only to make a wrong move—or roll, and end up plunging all the way back down to the beach.

YOKU’S ISLAND EXPRESS defies the expectations for a genre never meant to exist. The pinball games of yore are quintessential catalysts for extreme frustration, but this open world hybrid makes for a delightfully relaxing experience. If you are looking for light-hearted entertainment or want to delve into the rabbit hole of gaming genre mutants, this colorful adventure is well worth the money.

Rating 8/10

Take a Look at the Yoku’s Island Express Launch Trailer:

Yoku’s Island Express is out today on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam for just $19.99 / £15.99 / 19,99 €.

A physical edition will be arriving on June 15, 2018 (Europe/Australia) and June 19th (North America) for all console platforms. Please check local retailers for pricing and availability.