Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

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.

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 impressively polished, with gameplay that invites experimentation by offering multiple creative solutions instead of just one correct approach. This flexibility, paired with responsive physics and clear visual feedback, makes puzzle solving satisfying and central to the overall progression. The bouncy, chunky graphics paired with the uppity chiptune create an atmosphere that's fun, inviting, and nostalgic, without ever feeling cloying or overdone. It's the kind of game that perfectly nails what it sets out to do, while going above and beyond expectations.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a solid metroidvania that introduces a unique weapon which positively impacts both the combat system and the puzzles.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is one of those titles that arrives quietly and ends up leaving us with a smile and wanting more. Fun, surprising, and with mechanics as original as they are well-used, Pocket Trap creates an indie adventure with charisma, sharp criticism, and a whole lot of style. A great little discovery.

Overall, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a fun and clever experience. Each new area to explore and boss to fight is a joy, as it nails an old-school gameplay loop with new twists. The yoyo is the star of the show, being used in creative and inventive ways that constantly make the player rethink their approach and loadout. While the upgrade system is a letdown, the rest of the game is a lot of fun and well worth the adventure.

A genre-defining adventure, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo nails that innate arcadey feeling just right. Its inspired puzzles, wacky dialogues, and perfectly recreated GBA soundtrack and graphics do make it feel like someone unearthed this game recently after being lost to the sands of time.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is Yoyovania that excel in all aspects of what makes metroidvanias great and so much fun! A definite must-play for fans of this genre

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is one of the smartest, most original pixel themed metroidvanias in years with some great ideas around badge and permanent upgrades, as well as open sandbox traversal through a beautiful city. It’s wonderfully presented, vibrant, and effortlessly enjoyable despite its challenging battles and occassional backtracking. Dont let this indie slip away and out of mind.

This game made me feel things. Memories long forgotten of those days of my youth playing GBA on the bus. Those times when I sneakily woke up in the middle of the night to get in an hour of Super Nintendo time. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo made me laugh with often hilarious writing. It also made me yell in anger due to complex puzzles and occasionally its frustratingly difficult combat. I loved the way that the combat skills doubled as traversal options and puzzle solutions providing gameplay depth that I wasn’t expecting.