Reviews from

in the past


esse jogo é perfeição pura, e via todo mundo falando que era muito melhor que o primeiro mas eu não tava colocando fé, sou mais viciado em plataformer 3D doq 2D e mesmo assim achei esse aqui sensacional e com muito menos erros do que o primeiro yooka-laylee.
a trilha sonora é uma das mais belas que eu ouvi dos últimos tempos, perfeita demais

A decent platform game that tries to be like DKC (and understandably since much part of the staff is indeed from Rare) but yeah, not even with 20% of the same charisma of that or Banjo Kazooie. Characters are really bland and the level design is decent.

Joguinho de plataforma delicinha, like a DK

An improvement from the original Yooka in every way possible. Playtonic proves they can be more than "Banjo, but not as good" with "Donkey Kong Country AND on an almost equal level." Playtonic is essentially returning to their roots even further by opting to follow up their 3D platformer with a 2D one. Each of the 20 levels are very well crafted with a fantastic Soundtrack, while also taking the idea of the expanded tomes from the first game and making them 10X better with the new Change State function that completely alters how you play every level. The tonic system has also been reworked to be way more fun with a selection of boosters that can help or hinder your play of a level. Using more detrimental tonics can have a big risk, but big reward function, while helpful tonics can do the opposite. The overworld is also really fun to explore as this is where you'll find said tonics, along with puzzles that'll help you State Change a level, and some of the more memorable characters from the first game. The titular Impossible Lair is an aggravating, but very satisfying gauntlet to complete once you get the hang of things, and for the true masochist, Playtonic rewards you greatly for beating the Impossible Lair on your first try without the use of the games main collectible, The Beetalion army. It's crazy to think it's already almost been 5 years since the release of this. Hopefully Playtonix can break their silence soon. I'd love to see them finally take a 2nd crack at 3D platformers with everything they've relearned from the original Yooka and this one.

Fun DKC-like platformer loved the level swaping mechanic


Heads and shoulders above the predecessor, it manages to be a fun, albeit mid, platformer

I fear Nintendo's four step level design formula (heavily borrowed here) is becoming an equivalent to the dramatic curve or shot-reverse-shot: a tool for competent assembly line experiences. This game is alright, I hade "fun" (for a while), it "works", it is "well-designed" but it is also blunt and predictable. I grinded out the last level with 38 bees and it was an expectedly decent climax.

It's ok. Not bad, just not special. Difficulty felt annoying, because controls were not nice to use.

Its a solid 2D platformer with decent level design and a good moveset. It's not on the level of something like Tropical Freeze because it's missing that extra layer of Nintendo polish but it was enjoyable. The ideas in this game are innovative for the genre like how effecting the overworld can create alternate levels. It had cool ideas. Didnt like the final level very much, precise platforming with janky hurt boxes from spikes and enemies was just not a fun time. Felt like it went against what made this game fun by making you play extremely slow and safe. It's like those slow levels in Sonic 1 you really hate but 10x worse but I got through it with 34 bees. Cool idea for a final level but it needed work.

I just don't care anymore - the final stage is impossible. Tried for all achievements, missing Golden Try tonic

Here's a piping hot take, ready to serve to hungry platformer fans: Playtonic has made a game that actually manages to keep up with the best of what Rare has had to offer. Frankly, I went into this game skeptical as Hell after the disappointing Yooka-Laylee, seeing it as Playtonic attempting to ape (HAH) Rare again with a Donkey Kong Country-inspired platformer. But here I am, a fool for doubting them.

The Impossible Lair is a platformer that feels like you're managing momentum and tempo the entire time, and it just feels so good to play. That's the most important thing here, it's that the feel of the running and jumping is incredibly tight and fluid. Running through these beautifully-designed levels with fantastic music just hits like Donkey Kong Country out of the mid 90s. Collectible tonics unlock ways to make the game easier, harder, or to just make it sillier. Make the level harder for yourself and the multipliers will give you more scratch to spend with, and making levels easier gives you less.

Before you get to a level, you have to navigate the Zelda-esque overworld, solving puzzles and exploring to get to each level. The level design frankly rocks: they feel uniquely themed, they're challenging, and the super cool part is that if you do something to the level book in the overworld, you can basically unlock the level's 'B-side' with its own slew of gimmicks to play through.

The eponymous "Impossible Lair" is the final level, but you can play through it at any time. It's diabolically difficult, and beating regular levels secures you more health to make your way through it. And that comes down my only real fault with Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair: this game is hard. It's not really punishing or unfair, but it's very challenging and the final level is appropriately brutal. It's a game that rewards really getting a handle of the game's momentum-based platforming, but for normal people its challenge can occasionally be pretty steep.

As somebody who enjoys the DKC Rare and Retro Studios games, I absolutely adore Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. I can't sing its praises enough. If you were skeptical after the middling first game, give Impossible Lair an earnest shot to win you over. You won't regret it.

another bad me-too indie platformer. this time it is blandly reproducing the retro Donkey Kong games with some aspects of modern kirby. you don't like these characters and the art direction isn't that good so why bother?

A platformer very similar to Donkey Kong Country. The interactive overworld puzzles, level design, and collectibles are the strong points of the game. What makes this game worse than a game like DKC returns is that its characters have generic designs, are basic, and talk in british, and the soundtrack also isn't on the same level.

actually somehow good. they grabbed some game nobody cared about and made a good game that nobody cared about.
it kinda makes me sad it didnt get as much attention as the first game. trying to beat the first level with as little upgrades as you can is always fun and it compensates skill. its a decent play if you played most popular platformers and youre in desperate need for something.

Yooka Laylee and the Impossible Lair (2019): Pese a algunos bugs y al inexistente carisma de sus protagonistas, lo he disfrutado un montón. El diseño de niveles es sobresaliente, con un muy buen ritmo y variedad. Aunque no llega a ser DK Country, es un digno sucesor a la altura de su legado (7,85)

We have Donkey Kong Country at home, the sequel to We have Banjo-Kazooie at home.

It's DKC if you reduced the play speed by 25% and feels sluggish as a result.

Playtonic has excelled with The Impossible Lair, surpassing their 3D platformer installment. I've always been a fan of the original game, even though it's not the popular opinion. However, I'm thrilled with the improvements made in every aspect with this shift. It's great to see that they hit their strides with this game.

The buddy duo Yooka & Laylee are an absolute blast to navigate through the tightly designed levels. They perfectly blend the challenging elements of Donkey Kong Country games with a satisfying flow that kicks in once you get the hang of controlling the characters.

The setup of this game is a nice twist & double that with the hub world which is a top-down structure like 2D Zelda. At first, I had concerns about its shallow nature, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much it has to offer. The puzzles are captivating, there are plenty of collectibles to explore, and mini-challenges are quick & fun to do. It offers a cozy experience, especially after enduring some intense levels. It serves as a refreshing break without feeling half-fasted.

The presentation has certainly seen an improvement in visuals and soundtrack compared to the first game. I'm glad they maintain their excellent writing style, adding charm & entertainment to the characters. It's impressive how they've carved unique personalities & not much being under the Banjo-Kazooie’s shadows as time goes on.

I have two main issues with this game. Firstly, a significant portion of the Tonics you collect are simply different visual filters, which I find unrewarding. Secondly, the few altered levels that exist are not particularly unique compared to their original forms.

Besides these complaints, this game goes for a significantly reduced price, often seen at bargain prices during discounted sales. It is such a steal considering that it is one of the finest modern 2D platformers that I have played. Playtonic has crafted a game that retains familiarity without being trapped in the past while introducing unique elements that set it apart without losing focus, a criticism often directed at their 3D platformer installment.

this is not a kid's platformer. that is all.

Impossible Lair does a pretty good job of being a better game than Yooka-Laylee (which isn't difficult to do) it has some awesome music and the gameplay is pretty fun.

A DKC-style platformer that really surprised me. Gameplay is tight and the levels are fun, even though some can be bland. I enjoyed it a lot.

Wow this is so much better than the first Yooka Laylee. What a fantastic 2D platformer rolling off the ideas of the DKC series.

Not sure if I beat the last level, but it was pretty enjoyable until that point.

One of the most innovative 2D platformers I've played in recent memory, while still having excellent controls and level design. It's been criminally overlooked and underrated by most players. If nothing else, I really hope more platformers borrow this game's dual-level and overworld mechanics, since world maps have gotten boring a long time ago in 2D platformers.

It doesn't do anything shockingly new, but thanks to fantastic level design and an inventive approach to its titular challenge, Playtonic bounce back with plenty of aplomb.


CRIMINALLY underrated 2D platformer and easily redeemed Playtonic from the original which was lackluster. I'd legit put this on par with DKC2/Tropical Freeze, it's that good.

Fun game with an extremely frustrating final level. I can't believe David Wise created another transcendental piece of music for a couple animals swimming around.

This game has horrific keybindings that make me question whether the devs have ever played a game on PC before, as well as no support for rebinding keys. Therefore this game is essentially unplayable for me on PC. I am shocked that a game this modern has such bad support for PC players.