“Yooka-Replaylee” Review by Nick Navarro
I remember when “Yooka-Laylee” first released back in 2017, it was a love letter to a bygone era of 3D platformers, one that wore its “Banjo-Kazooie” heritage proudly but never quite managed to recapture that magic. It had the right heart, the right team, and even the right style, but something about the pacing and controls always left it feeling just a little rough around the edges. Fast-forward to 2025, and Playtonic Games has returned to polish that gem into something that finally gleams. “Yooka-Replaylee” isn’t just a remaster; it’s a full-on reinvention, a confident, joyous, and surprisingly robust rebuild of everything that made the original special, while improving nearly every single aspect along the way.
From the opening moments, it’s immediately clear how much more refined everything feels. The first time I took control of Yooka and Laylee again, I was struck by how smooth the movement was, with every jump, glide, and attack now feeling tighter and more responsive. The camera, once a frequent frustration, is now practically invisible in the best possible way; it simply works, letting the game’s worlds shine. Those worlds, by the way, are gorgeous. Playtonic has reimagined each of the book-based environments with lush detail and a painterly vibrancy that makes them feel alive. I found myself stopping just to admire the subtle lighting bouncing off the bright foliage or to listen to the way the orchestral score swelled as I entered a new area. The music has been re-recorded with a full orchestra, and the result is stunning. Every theme bursts with personality, perfectly matching the whimsy and adventure of the game’s tone.
But the biggest surprise about “Yooka-Replaylee” is just how much more there is to do. Playtonic didn’t just clean up textures and slap on a new coat of paint; they’ve overhauled entire levels, rearranged collectibles, added brand-new areas, and even doubled the number of Pagies to find. The result is a world that feels absolutely packed. Every time I thought I’d finished exploring a level, I’d stumble upon another hidden path or a secret challenge tucked away behind a waterfall or inside a goofy side quest. It’s the kind of collectathon that rewards curiosity at every turn, making the act of exploring feel endlessly satisfying. Even the structure of the game has been cleverly reframed through a new storybook-style presentation. Yooka and Laylee “retell” their original adventure with cheeky narration and a few new surprises scattered throughout. It’s a fun and self-aware touch that fits perfectly with the duo’s personality and the game’s Saturday morning cartoon energy. I especially loved the humor, it’s charmingly British, full of witty puns, groan-worthy jokes, and a wink to fans who remember Rare’s golden age.
The new features introduced in this version elevate the experience even further. The addition of Q.U.I.D.S., a collectible currency dropped by Capital B’s bumbling minions, gives you a reason to keep replaying levels and buying items or hints from the hilariously self-aware vending machine, Vendi. The expanded tonic system now allows multiple enhancements at once, letting you fine-tune your abilities or just dress Yooka and Laylee in ridiculous new outfits for fun. And then there’s Rextro’s revamped isometric side game, now a fully-fledged adventure of its own. It’s like getting a bonus retro platformer inside an already massive main game. Performance-wise, everything runs beautifully. Load times are quick, the frame rate is rock-solid, and even when the screen fills with collectibles and effects, the game never stutters. It’s a level of polish that the original simply didn’t have, and it shows how much Playtonic has matured as a studio. They’ve learned from their debut’s missteps, tightening the pacing, refining the controls, and delivering a far more consistent adventure.
Of course, it’s still very much a traditional collectathon. That means if you’re not into the idea of scouring every corner for shiny trinkets, “Yooka-Replaylee” might feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to find, and some challenges can border on obsessive completionist territory. But for me, that’s part of the joy. I grew up on games like “Banjo-Kazooie,” “Donkey Kong 64,” and “Spyro,” where the thrill came from checking off every last collectible and discovering that hidden nook you missed hours earlier. “Yooka-Replaylee” nails that feeling, by the time I rolled credits, I couldn’t help but appreciate how much love and care went into this remaster. It’s not just nostalgia done right, it’s a reminder of why I fell in love with 3D platformers in the first place. Playtonic has taken what was once a flawed tribute to the classics and turned it into something worthy of standing alongside them. “Yooka-Replaylee” is bursting with heart, humor, and personality. It’s bright, it’s playful, and it finally delivers on the promise of what “Yooka-Laylee” was meant to be.
8/10
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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