Definitely satisfied my itch for a good platformer and then some. Started off not feeling the movement and the difficulty, but the game had answers for both on deck. Mess around enough and you can discover some neat tech to get YL moving fast, and those challenge tonics, especially Less Checkmates and Googly Eyes, were just what this game needed. Big props to the devs for making those two accessible early in the game.
Without question, this game definitely feels like Tropical Freeze 2.0, but its in no way a budget knockoff. Biggest feather in YL:IL's cap is the overworld. It was genuinely fun to run around, solve puzzles, and figure out riddles. Another highlight of this game: the Impossible Lair. The fact that it's available right from the jump and that its realistically doable to beat it without any Bees is godlike. My 1st attempt, I can't get past the first large gap with the flame drones in Section 1. By the end of my playthrough, I'm autopiloting Section 1 with no hits. Love shit like that.
I thought this fact was a gripe initially but after beating it, I don't mind the lack of collectibles here when compared to DK:TF. Quills and T.W.I.T. coins have direct use on the overworld, as opposed to Banana Coins and Balloons being kinda fluff at a certain point. Also don't mind the lack of bosses here; those were never the highlight of the DK Return games. Terms of music, the tracks here are just as catchy and memorable as DK:TF; I can't choose between the two.
While the level design was super solid throughout, I will say there weren't as many standout levels as DK:TF. Everything felt either 'On Par' or 'Good' whereas TF had some bangers like Sawmill Thrill, Grassland Groove, Scorch N' Torch, Beehive Brawl, etc. YL:IF could have used some more level gimmicks/variations IMO (No Kartos Playtonic???). Also would've been nice to see more useful tonics, especially ones that increased the difficulty. Way too many visual gimmick ones.
Without a doubt, if you like Donkey Kong platformers, you need to play this no questions asked.
Without question, this game definitely feels like Tropical Freeze 2.0, but its in no way a budget knockoff. Biggest feather in YL:IL's cap is the overworld. It was genuinely fun to run around, solve puzzles, and figure out riddles. Another highlight of this game: the Impossible Lair. The fact that it's available right from the jump and that its realistically doable to beat it without any Bees is godlike. My 1st attempt, I can't get past the first large gap with the flame drones in Section 1. By the end of my playthrough, I'm autopiloting Section 1 with no hits. Love shit like that.
I thought this fact was a gripe initially but after beating it, I don't mind the lack of collectibles here when compared to DK:TF. Quills and T.W.I.T. coins have direct use on the overworld, as opposed to Banana Coins and Balloons being kinda fluff at a certain point. Also don't mind the lack of bosses here; those were never the highlight of the DK Return games. Terms of music, the tracks here are just as catchy and memorable as DK:TF; I can't choose between the two.
While the level design was super solid throughout, I will say there weren't as many standout levels as DK:TF. Everything felt either 'On Par' or 'Good' whereas TF had some bangers like Sawmill Thrill, Grassland Groove, Scorch N' Torch, Beehive Brawl, etc. YL:IF could have used some more level gimmicks/variations IMO (No Kartos Playtonic???). Also would've been nice to see more useful tonics, especially ones that increased the difficulty. Way too many visual gimmick ones.
Without a doubt, if you like Donkey Kong platformers, you need to play this no questions asked.