Hands-On With Yooka-Replaylee – A Platformer Revival Worth Turning the Page For
GeeksvsGeeks – Steam Next Fest 2025 Preview
There’s something delightfully rebellious about a game that dares to remake itself. Not re-release. Not remaster. Remake. Reimagine. Reinvent. Yooka-Replaylee, the upcoming reworking of Playtonic’s 2017 cult hit Yooka-Laylee, does just that. Not out of obligation, but because the team clearly had unfinished business. And after spending time with the demo during Steam Next Fest, it’s clear they are working hard on making good on that promise.
This isn’t a mere visual buff. Yooka-Replaylee rebuilds its core from the ground up, smoothing out frustrations of the original while doubling down on the buddy-duo charm and colorful world design that made it a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie in the first place. From its fully reworked intro to a new collectible economy, this is a platforming revival that knows exactly what needed fixing and isn’t afraid to show its work.
From Shipwreck Creek to Corporate Creep: A Better Beginning
The demo starts with a new prologue sequence, a tutorial style trek from Yooka and Laylee’s shipwreck home to the sinister Hivory Towers, courtesy of new cave levels that were not present in the original release his new opening offers essential context for how the duo stumbled into possession of the all-powerful book and why the hunt for magical pagies began.
The tighter pacing and refined storytelling immediately stand out. The camera behaves a lot better, and the controls feel crisp. You’re no longer learning moves by paying a shady snake in pants; this time, at least in the demo, you start with your full move set unlocked and ready for action.
Platforming With Purpose
Make no mistake: this is still a 3D collecta-thon through and through. You’ll nab coins, jump gaps, solve light puzzles, and discover hidden chests in environments bursting with personality. This demo only offered a sliver of what the game has to offer but so far everything feels more cohesive this time around. With added map, warp points and level progression improvements, the game gives a more welcome sense of direction.
Polished Vibes With a Few Cracks
Visually, Yooka-Replaylee is quite a looker. Even better than some of its trailers let on. High-res textures, vibrant colors, and expressive character models make every inch of this world pop. And the fresh new orchestral soundtrack,really ties it all together.
Final Thoughts – A Promising Re-Start
If you bounced off Yooka-Laylee the first time, Yooka-Replaylee might be the second chance you didn’t know you needed. If you enjoyed the first outing, get ready for a whole new experience. It doesn’t just correct the past as it reimagines it with care, energy, and a whole lot of polish. For returning fans, it’s a warm invitation back. For new players, it’s a much friendlier introduction into one of the few true heirs to the 3D platforming throne.
When Yooka-Replaylee launches later this year, it might just be one of the most joyous platformers on the market — old school heart, new school smarts.
