Zero Punctuation Season 11 Episode 14 Yooka-Laylee

In Zero Punctuation season 11 episode 14, Yahtzee Croshaw reviews the game Yooka-Laylee, a spiritual successor to the classic N64 game Banjo-Kazooie. Croshaw starts off by noting the nostalgia factor at play in many reviews of the game, explaining that childhood memories of Banjo-Kazooie might be influencing some reviewers' opinions. He then launches into his own review, noting the game's colorful graphics and fun platforming mechanics. He comments on the various moves that Yooka and Laylee (the titular characters) can perform, such as rolling, hovering, and attacking enemies.

Croshaw praises the game's level design, saying that the worlds feel big enough to explore but not so sprawling as to be overwhelming. He also notes the presence of various collectibles scattered throughout each level, such as quills that can be exchanged for new moves. However, he also points out that some of these collectibles can be difficult to spot, particularly in certain lighting conditions.

Another aspect of Yooka-Laylee that comes in for criticism from Croshaw is the game's fairly thin storyline. He admits that story isn't necessarily the main draw of a platformer like this, but he still feels that the game could have benefited from a bit more plot. He notes that the main villain, Capital B, is a bit two-dimensional and doesn't really stand out in any way.

One mechanic that Croshaw particularly enjoys is the ability to transform Yooka and Laylee into various creatures with unique abilities. For example, one transformation allows the duo to swim underwater and shoot ink at enemies. Croshaw notes that these transformations add an extra layer of variety to the gameplay and are generally well-implemented.

However, not everything in Yooka-Laylee impresses Croshaw. He takes issue with some of the game's camera angles, which can be frustrating and make it difficult to see where Yooka and Laylee are going. He also criticizes some of the game's mini-games, which he feels are sometimes overly simplistic or repetitive.

Overall, Croshaw seems to enjoy Yooka-Laylee quite a bit, although he notes that it may not be everyone's cup of tea. He acknowledges that some players may find the platforming mechanics too simplistic or the collectibles too numerous. However, for those looking for a fun, colorful platformer with a decent amount of challenge and variety, Croshaw thinks Yooka-Laylee is a solid choice.