Youropa Review

Game: Youropa
Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows))
Developer|Publisher: frecle
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US E
Price: US $13.49 | UK £13.49 | EU € 13,49
Release Date: October 6th, 2022

Review code provided with many thanks to frecle.

Puzzle Gem

Youropa is a 3D platformer puzzle game created by a small group of friends over a period of 15 years. The game features gravity-defying puzzles which will challenge the player to think outside the box to solve them. Additionally, it features a creative mode to allow you to create your own puzzles and challenge your friends or the online audience.

The game was originally released in 2018 on Steam with a positive reception. Now, in 2022, we get the Nintendo Switch port giving gamers another chance to experience this adventure. If you’re looking for a mostly chilled puzzle experience then be sure to keep an eye on this one.

Gravity Pulls Us Down 

You begin the game as an unknown little clay-like figure with suction cup feet. Paris has broken up into fragments and it’s up to you to put it back together whilst discovering who you really are. The game is very light on plot focusing more on its gameplay. You begin the experience hanging upside down from a tree. Then after wriggling free you walk straight into it. With your suction cup feet you’re able to traverse round the levels provided they have a smooth service. Before you know it you’re hanging upside down or on the side of a tall building. Gravity is still set in one direction so if you jump off the surface while upside down you will actually fall to your doom. Don’t worry you will respawn nearby to try again.

If you have a fear of heights this may make you feel a bit uneasy, to begin with. This made my head spin a bit before I got accustomed to it. I would even go as far as to say my initial thoughts of the game were quite negative. Not a lot is really explained except the game’s basic controls. You’re left to figure things out for yourself. After getting over this initial hurdle I soon became quite engrossed in the game.

Flip Switches

Puzzles often require you to navigate the levels looking for switches to flip and navigating around the platforms looking for the exit door. If you’re really stuck you can pull up the game’s map to get an idea of where you need to go. Usually, on activating a switch you can follow the glowing wires to the next area. You can also zoom out and observe the level layout which may offer hints to puzzles or let you navigate a route. A small niggle here is I found myself fighting with the camera to get the best view of things. It could do with allowing you to zoom out more.

Unlock Abilities

The formula is regularly mixed up by unlocking more abilities and sprinkling in the odd surprise like a vehicle you can take command of or some enemies to contend with. The game plods along at a pretty relaxed space but every so often you will need to attempt some precision platforming and make use of some quick reflexes. These moments felt hit and miss for me.

The game’s physics engine also became frustrating in some puzzle sections. An example of this is a puzzle where I needed to put a box on a launch pad, then navigate up the level to press a switch to then catch the box in mid-air to activate another switch. Seems simple enough, but with the game’s physics engine the box would often just catapult anywhere but towards me.

It led to a lot of repetitive tedium to a puzzle I knew how to solve but struggled to execute. Very occasionally my character got stuck in the game environments but this was easily rectified with a restart. None of my niggles hampered the overall experience. Youropa felt like a wondrous journey through a broken city but not being afraid to pause to have a bit of fun now and then.

You’re Breathtaking 

What immediately grabbed my attention was how breathtaking the graphics looked on Switch. Whether you play in handheld or TV modes the game has a massive sense of space and openness in its design. This is made more apparent as you gaze into the distance seeing the sky or city far off into the distance. The levels have this city-like feel to them all broken up into sections. The game sticks with this theme though you will see it from various seasonal perspectives making it feel different with each area you explore.

Some areas will be covered in light foliage with leaves slowly dropping from the branches. There are even some sections featuring rain where you can see the raindrops hit the pavement adding to the immersion of the experience. Just remember to take an umbrella as the rain will literally drain your colour and health. The game’s themes and design are suitable for absolutely any age young or old.

Get Creative

Youropa features two difficulty settings: normal and hard. The former basically respawns you at the last checkpoint which is usually generously nearby. The hard mode does not sound ideal where death means you respawn back at the last paint platform where you customize your character. which could be very far back.

If you value your sanity I suggest sticking to normal mode for this one. The main game will take around the 5-hour mark to complete but will take longer if you go hunting for all the game collectables which are dotted about the level some of which will require backtracking once you have the right ability to obtain them. 

Add Stick-on Features

If you like getting creative then Youropa will have some appealing features for you. Not long into the start of the game, you’ll get to create your character to your liking. Choosing from various colours and even various stick-on features like eyes and bowties. It’s both wonderful but also quite heartbreaking because if you take a small hit your colour will deplete to a plain white erasing your creation. You can rejuvenate it and also save character creations to share online or just keep them later if your tastes change.

Youropa also features a level editor enabling you to get those creative juices flowing. It’s handled quite well, allowing you to control your character like you were playing the main game only you get to place level tiles in the process. When done these can also be shared online. Both character and level editors are nice additions to Switch allowing you to take the game over to a loved one’s house and watch them enjoy your creation or possibly rage quit depending on how difficult it is. 

Conclusion – Sticking The Landing

Youropa is a gravity-defying puzzle platformer that left me satisfied. Its puzzles challenge you to think outside the box without feeling too convoluted that you can’t figure things out for yourself. A few of the games’ physics make moments of the experience a bit tedious. However, that didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the overall experience. The main adventure may seem short and sweet but with the game’s level creator, this could potentially be a game to revisit on a cosy weekend provided the community stays strong. Youropa is an experience that will drive you up the wall in a good way.

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot