Yoku's Island Express review

Exceptional

by Kirk Kardashian

Decent Metroidvania. I'm glad developers are, albeit slowly, realizing how easily they can get pigeon-holed into the same handful of jump-based upgrades so it's nice to see a game that purposefully limits vertical movement. And very little combat, too! Metroidvanias don't have to be hack-and-slash or side-scrolling shooters.

But between the physics-based movement, often pixel-perfect requirements for flipper/bumpers to progress, long-winded position resets when failing a puzzle, and how much backtracking this game requires, this just drags on and on and on. And that's not even getting into how fetch-questy every single sidequest is.

Since this has to spin a couple plates, the pinball side really suffers. Mechanically it functions like a pinball table but as far as a game loop goes, it couldn't be any more different. There are nice touches here and there - I like the multiball mechanic that gets introduced at the end - but this is a puzzle platformer with contrived boss fights, not a pinball game.

A very nice game! You realise when you play how much Love it was made with. It's been extremely fun to play through it and do the 100 Per cent. All I do is miss the Scarabs, then I'm done. It's not too long (I've spent 11 Hours with it so far), but it's definitely been worth it and I'll play through it a few more times.

' Y Island Express ' is a relaxed Metroidvania pinball mix of the Highest class! Fans of this Genre should definitely access, and I recommend to everyone else to get a taste of it. I had a lot of Fun playing this Game for over 15h and then unlocking all the Achievements. An extra Asterisk * goes to the Developers, as ' Yoku's Island Express ' also runs technically flawlessly. Below is a Test Video of ' 4Players' (87): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_B4D8RwWl4

Since it can't be pushed into any genre I know, I'd be most likely to refer to it as the "Action Pinball Adventure Platformer." I invested in the Game (offline) about 10h and they were well laid out. I was Rewarded with a colorful and lovingly designed world full of Surprises and unique Game Mechanics. Partly tricky, the Game was at no Time "unworkable" and never boring. The Story has succeeded, child-friendly and contains some unforeseen twists, which are only hinted at in small Dialogues. From me, the Game gets 10/10 Mistballs

Yokus Island Express has an interesting Game Mechanics. In addition to the classic Metroidvania, you will have to deal with Pinball elements in this Game, and you will also want to become a Mistletoe Beetle of Postman. Kling weird? Is it too, but kind of totally awesome. The Game has a good flow and sometimes also cool puzzles, some rather lighter some but also rather heavier. The Story is simple and doesn't have the great Plot twist now, but the Gameplay is quite convincing. In addition, the Game has relaxed Music, beautiful Graphics and a clear Map. I've never picked up a Kind of Game, but Yokus Island Express immediately enveloped me in Raptures. There is a Buy Recommendation from me.

Great slow Adventure with an outstanding level design. In this Game you can literally feel the Love and Fun of the Developers. The Combination of the Genres "Jump 'n 'Run," "Flipper" and "Adventure" also feels fresh and unused. The Graphics are incredibly lovingly produced and animated. The perfect Game, if you just want to relax after the end of the Day. If you just want to finish the Game once, you won't need more than ten Hours, but there's still plenty to do for another ten Hours. Maybe the Game is a bit too light and the Difficulty is Usually that you have to find a Way from A to B on the Island where the Adventure is playing. But I can't think of any other Criticisms with the best Will, but only Praise and therefore a clear Recommendation to buy from me!