When Playtonic Games first released Yooka-Laylee back in 2017, it was meant to be the glorious comeback of the old-school 3D platformer — a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie, packed with colour, charm, and cheeky humour. What we actually got was… divisive. The nostalgia was there, the heart was there, but the gameplay and camera just didn’t quite click. Fast forward to 2025, and Playtonic’s back with a bold redo: Yooka-Replaylee. A remaster? A remake? A redemption arc? Honestly, it’s all three — and thankfully, it’s much closer to the game fans wanted all along.
The Nostalgia Play That Actually Works
Right from the main menu, Yooka-Replaylee radiates charm. That familiar tropical tone hums through the speakers, and within minutes, you’re gliding, rolling, and tongue-grabbing your way through lush worlds that feel alive again. The name “Replaylee” might sound like a gag, but it fits — this isn’t just a visual upgrade; it’s a proper rethink of what the original game could have been with a few more years in the oven.
The pitch here is simple: rebuild Yooka-Laylee with modern sensibilities. We’re talking a fully reworked camera system (yes, hallelujah), improved movement, faster pacing, new collectables, refined worlds, and expanded mechanics. The duo now has access to a much larger moveset, complete with new abilities that integrate naturally into the game’s flow. Everything from high jumps to sonar bursts feels smoother and more responsive. Playtonic clearly went through the original’s rough edges and sanded them down with care.
Playtonic’s Do-Over Done Right
The first thing that hit me was how much more polished the presentation feels. The environments pop — vibrant jungles shimmer with extra detail, ice worlds sparkle with better lighting, and textures are sharp without losing that chunky, cartoonish charm. Playtonic hasn’t tried to reinvent its art direction; instead, it’s leaned into what made the original visually special and made it sing in HD. It’s beautiful, in that Saturday-morning-cartoon-meets-modern-Unreal-Engine sort of way.
And the camera — oh, the camera. If you remember the original’s wild swings and claustrophobic angles, this new setup will feel like divine intervention. It’s fully reworked, less fidgety, and, most importantly, consistent. During my playthrough, I only found a few moments where the view snagged or jittered. It’s a small miracle in the world of 3D platformers.
New Tricks, Same Duo Energy
Yooka and Laylee’s chemistry remains at the heart of everything, and now they feel better in control than ever. The reworked movement gives more flow to glides, rolls, and tail-whips. They’ve also added new mechanics like the sonar pulse for revealing secrets, the stealth cloak, and revamped flight physics. It’s still classic platforming through and through, but it finally has the precision and responsiveness it always needed.
Even the worlds themselves have been tweaked to feel denser and more rewarding. Gone are the big, empty spaces that plagued the original. Now, each level bursts with mini-objectives, hidden challenges, and new surprises tucked behind nearly every corner. And for those who love to explore, there’s a proper fast-travel system and an adventurer’s notebook to track collectables and progress. It’s the kind of modern convenience the genre desperately needed.
A Storybook Retelling
What surprised me most was how Playtonic reframed the story. It’s now presented like a whimsical storybook retelling, with new cutscenes, voice lines, and narration tying things together. It gives the game a cohesive structure that it previously lacked. The writing still leans into goofy wordplay and dad jokes, but it’s done with more confidence this time around. The banter between Yooka, Laylee, and the cast of supporting characters hits more than it misses — though, yes, the humour won’t land for everyone. If puns make you groan, you’ll still be groaning.
Collectables, Challenges, and Fresh Additions
The number of collectables has effectively doubled — Pagies, Quills, and a new currency called Q.U.I.D.S. are scattered across the worlds. The new QUIDS are particularly fun, letting you buy hints, unlock cosmetics, and upgrade moves. Add in new Rextro arcade games, improved tonics (with multiple loadouts now possible), and you’ve got a satisfying layer of customisation that wasn’t there before. The variety keeps exploration engaging rather than tedious.
The puzzles have also been touched up. Some levels have been redesigned entirely, with smarter objectives and better use of verticality. There’s even new platforming content sprinkled throughout, making each world feel alive with possibilities. For completionists, this remaster is a dream — every corner feels like it’s hiding something worth your time.
Performance and Polishing the Rough Spots
As much as I love the improvements, Yooka-Replaylee isn’t flawless. The performance can still wobble at times — especially in larger levels, where frame dips sneak in. It’s nothing game-breaking, but noticeable. The occasional physics oddity still rears its head, particularly when bouncing off walls or using certain roll mechanics. It’s better, but not perfect.
Some of the older design DNA also lingers. Backtracking is still a thing, though slightly less annoying. A few of the original’s pacing issues return if you’re a completionist trying to 100% every area. Still, for a remaster, the balance between classic design and modern expectation feels right. It’s retro enough to be charming, modern enough to be playable.
The Audio Glow-Up
Let’s not forget the soundtrack. The legendary Grant Kirkhope returns with an expanded score that absolutely slaps. It’s bursting with cheerful melodies, whimsical motifs, and a few cheeky callbacks to the Banjo days. The remastered sound effects are crisp, and the ambient layers add depth to the world. It’s nostalgia done right — familiar, but elevated.
Accessibility
One area where Playtonic deserves praise is accessibility. You’ll find improved control remapping, visual assist options, and adjustable difficulty settings that open the game up to a wider audience. It’s a clear step toward inclusivity without compromising challenge — the kind of move every modern platformer should follow. The colourful, diverse cast of characters, goofy as they may be, fit that all-ages, all-backgrounds vibe the studio’s always aimed for.
Verdict: The Comeback Kid
Yooka-Replaylee is what the original should have been — a joyous, confident 3D platformer bursting with heart, colour, and creativity. It finally realises Playtonic’s original vision, cleaning up the mess and doubling down on what worked. It’s still a bit janky in places, sure, but it’s now fun jank — the kind that makes you smile rather than swear.
It’s rare for a studio to admit, “We can do better,” and actually prove it. Playtonic has done exactly that here. For fans of the genre, this is a must-play. For newcomers, it’s a fantastic entry point into the charming chaos of old-school platforming, made modern.
Yooka-Replaylee Launch Trailer
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Game code was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
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