Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
It can be a tad too tricky for its own good, but the charming presentation, quick-witted writing, and creative use of its standout feature make it more than worth the occasional swear. To put it simply - yoyo need to play this.
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a masterclass in retro Zelda-like game design, expertly fusing classic mechanics with creative new ideas to make for a thoroughly memorable and worthwhile experience. Occasional difficulty spikes aside, we'd highly recommend you pick up Pipistrello at the next available opportunity, especially if you're a Zelda fan who prefers the top-down design of games such as The Minish Cap. Much like its title character, this one has a lot of cool tricks up its sleeve.
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 a marvel of a little game that wins at being a "yoyovania." The yoyo combat and progression are superb, its level design utilizing novel traversal elements without repetitious fluff, and its charm is off the charts. It's no walk in the park, but it's worth the payoff if you want a game that is a nostalgia bomb of classic Zelda fused with a yoyo thematic.
