At Summer Game Fest this year, I was given some hands-on time with Yooka-Replayee. I did not play the original game, so this is my first exposure to the title. Below are some of my thoughts on this game during my time with it.
A Stunning Reimagining, what Yooka-Laylee should have been
From the moment I started playing, it’s clear this isn’t just a visual refresh. It’s a full graphical overhaul. Environments pop with vibrant lighting and sharper, more detailed character models. Facial expressions, textures, and animations feel noticeably polished, breathing new life into the original game, as I understand it. I compared screenshots from what was sent to me to the previous title, and it is a huge upgrade.
The movement feels smooth. Yooka and Laylee’s full moveset, to my understanding. I had access to combat combos, gliding, rolling, cloaking, and sonar blasts. These were available right away during this demonstration. It allowed me to dive deep into traversal and platforming from the first moment. The pacing is natural, and tutorials unfold organically with a steady introduction to new skills. From what I read of the original title, it seems the camera work was also redone. It felt more natural compared to the original game. However, I am not sure what platform I played it on, or if it was a PC, some frames did drop during my gameplay. It would transition from what it seemed to be 60FPS to a 50ish range at times. I know it is a work in progress, so this will be worked out.
From my understanding, this version had some huge quality of life improvements. Once again, I did not play the first game, but from reading impressions of the original and comparing them here, these changes seem huge. One of the biggest QOL changes is the addition of a map and fast-travel system. This allows for tracking your mission or using a reference point. You can traverse over there or fast travel near it. It amplified the experience for a first-time player of Yooka-Replayee. There were other QoL changes too during the demonstration, to my understanding, but this was the one that stuck out to me.
Final Impressions
Yooka‑Replaylee feels like a genuine rebirth, a complete reimagining more than a simple remaster. Controls are tighter, traversal is more engaging, and new systems add depth without overcomplicating the core. While performance needs smoothing out, the foundation here is strong. For fans of the original, keep your eyes out for this definitive version to play the game when it is set to release in 2025.
As for me, I think I need to track down a copy of the original release and play it before this comes out. I want to give it a proper chance before this remaster comes out.
Until next time, Mgs2master2 out!