Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 111 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 111
  3. Negative: 23 out of 111
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. bancandrei
    May 24, 2020
    6
    The overworld brings the score up a notch for me as it gives you a feeling of exploration and maybe of finding secrets (to unlock the state change in the level) which so mostly missing in the levels, and indeed in most all platformers
  2. Jools86
    May 3, 2020
    6
    I would normally have given this game an 8, but I feel cheated by the literally impossible ending. The game has 40 fun 2D levels and a 3D overworld I had more fun in tbh.

    Chapter 16 hidden exit is almost impossible. Even slowing time. There must be a tonic I do not have. The last 2 levels “impossible and not so impossible” lair are not fun. The difficult spike is terrible. (Have soloed    I would normally have given this game an 8, but I feel cheated by the literally impossible ending. The game has 40 fun 2D levels and a 3D overworld I had more fun in tbh.

    Chapter 16 hidden exit is almost impossible. Even slowing time. There must be a tonic I do not have.

    The last 2 levels “impossible and not so impossible” lair are not fun. The difficult spike is terrible. (Have soloed Dark Souls, 100% mario) odyssey so it’s not me.

    I really enjoyed the last game, the characters are blank compared to banjo but it was great to have a modern day 3D banjo

    I hope your next game has more iconic characters and reverts back to 3D.

    Having said that Playtronic are great, bringing these type of games back to us.    … Expand
  3. Psy_pmP
    Oct 21, 2020
    5
    I have not played other parts. Perhaps I should have given them away, then perhaps I would have bought the rest. But this game is disgusting. I don’t understand what these characters are and no one is trying to explain to me. The controls are inhibited, there is no responsiveness. The levels are monotonous. I only had enough for the first 3 levels.
  4. wesker2012
    May 10, 2022
    7
    A decent mix of donkey kong country and top down zelda mixed together. I'm more of a fan of 3d games rather than 2d games though, so I didn't enjoy the 2d levels as much. The gameplay and puzzles are still relatively simple like the previous Yooka Laylee.
  5. spacezombie3456
    Mar 26, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is a nice little platformer, but the levels don´t feel so different from each other, and the difficulty is all over the place some levels are far to easy others which can be unlocked earlier are harder, I thought that was really annoying. There are also collectibles one of them are coins you need to unlock more of the map you can find those in the different levels, some of them are easy to find and some really hard, there are also tokens which can be found in the overworld you can make the game easier or harder with them. There is also one thing I definitely missing and that are bosses there only one boss and that is the final boss. Overall I would say it´s a game you should play if you are a fan of platformers, but don´t expect something new because most of the things in the game you will already have seen.… Expand
  6. Nferj
    Oct 24, 2022
    6
    very colorful platformer game and it's pretty good for the fans of platforming.
  7. empowell
    Jan 17, 2023
    7
    It was worth the buy but is not a very memorable game. I would give it a chance if it is on sale.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best PS4 Game of 2019
74
#74 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Impulsegamer
    Oct 28, 2019
    100
    I know that the year isn’t done yet, and it might be a little early to start naming games the best of the year, but for me, I’m hooked beyond belief to Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. I adore this game, and can’t shake the feeling that it was made for people just like me: those who grew up with platformers, and want to revisit that joyous nostalgia of running and jumping on perfect level designs. I love this game completely and cannot see anything topping it.
    Read full review
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Oct 22, 2019
    70
    A cartoony feast for the eyes and ears, with a great overworld and lovely design. The platforming could be better, but it’s engaging enough to be worth your time. [Issue#168, p.79]
  3. GameOver.gr
    Oct 18, 2019
    70
    It’s evolution through devolution for Playtonic, going back to 2D platforming from the 3D design of the first Yooka-Laylee, a change that is definitely for the benefit of the franchise. The Impossible Lair is much more competent, offering a fulfilling experience through its breadth of levels, and a cleverly designed overworld map which is a game within a game. Nevertheless, we hope that in their next endeavor the British developers will create something with its own personality and avoid being so overtly “clingy” in the Donkey Kongs or Banjo-Kazooies of the past.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »