Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Reviews
Pispistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a fantastic top down adventure game that deserves to be considered in the same echelon as classic Nintendo titles. It takes the traditional Zelda framework and reimagines it to create a world that is incredibly fun to explore. The thrill of nailing the yoyo traversal mechanics remains throughout and while the combat can be a little repetitive at times, this is equally the case with Link's various adventures. All in all, this is peak indie gaming and comes very highly recommended.
But when it’s nailing its concept it really nails it, and making your way through the adventure feels like an endearing throwback to the time of WarioWare, Zelda: The Minish Cap, and Mother 3, without being bogged down by loud, boilerplate references. Plus, the 3D handheld thing rules.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a metroidvania with art direction reminiscent of 1990s handheld games and a huge map packed with puzzles, secrets, and backtracking. The system of upgrading via contracts is original and introduces significant strategic choices, while yoyo tricks offer a variety of approaches to exploration and combat. The level design is precise and the badges allow you to deeply customize your play style. A brilliant game, with attention to detail and full of nerdy humor, it doesn't revolutionize the genre, but enhances its features.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Taking the game as a whole, it's hard not to be massively impressed by what Pipistrello manages to do with the toolkit it gives itself. Every piece works together to make for a distinctive adventure game that will grab you from the very first minute and refuse to let go. While I might take some convincing on the "Yoyovania" as a genre, it's clear that there's an unparalleled creative vision here that should be admired.
Folks, Gordon Gekko had it wrong. It’s not greed that’s good, but the yoyo, which “clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.” And if those words sound as hyperbolic as they do in Wall Street, just wait until you get your hands on Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo and see how gloriously right this weird, wonderful yoyo-centric adventure is.
Pipistrello and the Cursed YoYo is not only a loving tribute to classic GBA games, but a serious elevation of the style.
While the core gameplay loop of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo feels dated, there's a lot to enjoy in the retro-inspired experience that Pocket Trap have crafted. The level design and puzzles, badge and upgrade system, and art design make it worth a look if you're craving an old-school adventure. There's a great game in here, but it's sometimes held back from shining through.
Packing tricks and treats in equal measure, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo will no doubt be the talk around New Jolt City with its new school old school cool.
Walking the fine line that distinguishes metroidvanias from Zelda-likes, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo nails the fun of adventure and displays a strong identity of its own, which is shown both in its irreverent satire style, as well as in the gameplay of ricochets and yo-yo tricks.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This is a brilliantly designed top-down adventure that is one of the best 2D Zelda-esque indie games of the entire Switch era. My teeny-tiny complaints only lie with the combat, but the delightful puzzles and joyous yoyo parkour more than make up for some occasionally tiresome battling. We might be days away from the Switch 2, but be sure not to miss this absolute gem of a game.
I did not like the character. I did not like the quest. I did not think what I was doing was noble and I thought everyone sucked. But. The game is so well made the level of polish creates such a sheen it glosses over the mental disgruntlement I have. It’s an indisputably well made game that ticks the boxes like it was born to defy expectations. Pipistrello is daunting, but it knows what it has and never tries to pretend otherwise. Good luck, you’re definitely going to need it.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo delivers a clever, challenging Metroidvania adventure with inventive mechanics, retro visuals, and a surprisingly nuanced narrative, making it a standout indie gem from Pocket Trap.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo delivers a creative and charming experience, blending clever puzzles, rewarding exploration, and a versatile combat system. The inventive use of the yoyo as both a weapon and a tool keeps gameplay dynamic, while the world of New Jolt City — with its charismatic characters, cultural references, and retro aesthetic — builds a unique and memorable universe. Despite a few rough edges, the game stands out for its originality and the relaxed, playful way it tells its story.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A lovingly crafted and self-proclaimed “Yoyovania” that pays homage to titles like The Legend of Zelda and Castlevania while still maintaining its own unique identity. No small feat, but Pipistrello accomplishes it.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo lived up to all my expectations, and is one of the very best Metroidvanias I've ever played.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo delivers much more than it promises. It is a unique experience, with its own identity, relevant social criticism, and the kind of humor that only a Brazilian game could do so well. An initial strangeness to the controls does not overshadow the brilliance of an adventure that shows how much the national independent scene has to offer.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a fun and lighthearted adventure that’s a must-play for fans of the classic Zelda style and Game Boy Advance titles in general. Not only that, but its dialogues and world constantly bring a smile to your face and even prevent potential issues—like moments of unbalanced difficulty—from impacting the overall enjoyment of the game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a great game — and yes, it's definitely worth playing! In times of increasingly complex games, with gigantic maps and mechanics that sometimes leave us lost, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo bets on a beautiful style and extremely enjoyable gameplay.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo rebounds onto the scene with plenty of charm and clever gameplay, much like the games that came before it.