Game: Yooka-Replaylee
Genre: Action, Platformer, Adventure
System: Steam (Windows) (also on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2)
Developer|Publisher: Playtonic Games | PM Studios Inc, Playtonic Friends
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Verified
Price: US $TBC | UK £TBC | EU € TBC
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Press Engine.
Yooka-Replaylee -A Second Chance to Shine
When Yooka-Laylee launched back in 2017, it arrived on a wave of nostalgia and Kickstarter-fuelled excitement. Billed as a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, with several of the same developers behind it, expectations were sky-high. And while the original wasn’t exactly bad, it didn’t quite live up to the dream many fans imagined.
Now, eight years later, Playtonic has gone back to the drawing board, or perhaps the storybook, with Yooka-Replaylee, a full reworking and refinement of that original game. The result? A joyous, vibrant, and far better-paced platforming adventure that feels like what Yooka-Laylee was always meant to be.
For the Readers
The plot once again follows the unlikely duo, Yooka the easy-going chameleon and Laylee the sass-filled bat, as they hunt down the missing “Pagies” of a magical book, scattered across a collection of wild and colourful worlds.
This time around, however, Playtonic has reimagined the storybook premise, giving us a fresh introduction showing how our heroes ended up shipwrecked and entangled in this adventure. Even the sentient book itself now has dialogue and personality. It’s still silly and self-aware, but the story presentation feels tighter and more cohesive.
Die-hard fans may notice some tweaks and additions; some scenes are expanded or rearranged, but overall, the improvements outweigh any purist nitpicks. And yes, skipping dialogue is now far less fiddly, which might be the best update of all.
A Better Start
The original game had quite the sluggish start. Thankfully, that’s gone. Yooka-Replaylee gets you moving within minutes. You’re given a short but engaging tutorial where you rescue the book, learn the basic moves, and you’re off.
Several moves are already unlocked right from the beginning, a small but welcome change that helps returning players dive straight in. It’s clear Playtonic listened to feedback and wanted the adventure to feel snappier and more immediately rewarding.
Just Roll With It
The controls are smooth and more responsive. Jumps feel snappy, rolls have weight, and the slightly zoomed-out camera gives a better sense of space. Extra abilities include Laylee’s sonar burst, revealing hidden paths to Yooka’s camouflage for sneaky sections. Everything feels natural and fluid, though if you’re new to 3D platformers, it might take a bit of practice to master the momentum-based moves.
But once it clicks, it’s pure joy. There’s something timeless about rolling, leaping, and gliding around colourful worlds filled with secrets to uncover.
Get Collecting
Of course, this is a collectathon at heart, and Yooka-Replaylee leans fully into that identity. From the very first world, you’re free to roam and explore however you like. The Pagies remain the main goal, but there’s a delightful variety in how you earn them: platforming challenges, quirky NPC quests, puzzles, hidden paths, and, of course, boss battles.
It’s a game that encourages curiosity. If something’s too tricky, you can always skip it and come back later. You don’t need every Pagie to progress, but the temptation to go 100% is strong. I often found myself thinking, “just one more,” until an hour had disappeared.
Gorgeous Detail
Visually, the game is stunning. The world bursts with colour and charm, a step up from the 2017 version in every way. The new lighting, textures, and expanded level layouts make each area feel fresh and alive. Returning fans will recognise the familiar worlds, but they’ve been redesigned and expanded so much that they feel new again.
And yes, Trowzer the snake is back, complete with his silly sales pitches and perfectly absurd voice. The sense of humour and charm remain intact, now wrapped in a much shinier package.
Helpful New Features
There’s a heap of quality-of-life upgrades, too. A fast-travel system now lets you warp between discovered flags, saving you endless backtracking. If you’re struggling to find Pagies, you can buy hints to point you in the right direction.
Collecting feels more rewarding as you gather feathers, coins, and other shiny goodies to spend on cosmetics, upgrades, and tonics. Tonics let you tweak the game’s difficulty or add fun modifiers, more health, harder fall damage, or just stylish outfits for Yooka and Laylee.
Conclusion: Well Worth a Replay
Yooka-Replaylee is exactly what I hoped the original game would be: a joyful and beautifully built 3D platformer bursting with things to discover. Whether you’re a returning fan or completely new to Yooka and Laylee’s antics, this version delivers everything with polish and heart.
For me, it was extra special because I played most of it with my son, who was grinning from ear to ear watching me roll and jump through the levels. It’s the kind of game that’s just as much fun to watch as it is to play, and that’s a rare thing.
If you’ve ever loved Banjo-Kazooie, or if the original Yooka-Laylee didn’t quite grab you, this is your second chance, and it’s well worth taking. A free demo is also available if you want to try it out first.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
Do you like our content?
Subscribe to our daily news and never miss a review!
If you haven’t played the original, but do own it, do you think it’s worth playing first just for contrast?
That’s an excellent comment. My thoughts are; you don’t need to play the original to enjoy this version of the game. Since you own the first game anyway I would suggest play Replaylee (or its demo) first and then return to the original for curiosity. Replaylee in my opinion is the better overall experience.
Thanks for the input!