Yooka-Replaylee on PlayStation 5 brings the dynamic duo of Yooka and Laylee back for another round of nostalgic 3D platforming, this time in a remastered and expanded edition that feels like a blend of celebration and correction. Developed by Playtonic Games and published by PM Studios, this reimagined version of the 2017 original not only polishes the visuals and mechanics but also meaningfully expands on what made the game appealing to fans of the Banjo-Kazooie era in the first place. The result is a package that feels both familiar and newly ambitious – one that acknowledges the rough edges of the original and smooths them out with confidence.
The story is once again told through the whimsical lens of Yooka and Laylee themselves, but now framed as a playful retelling of their past adventures. This storytelling tweak gives the remaster a sense of charm and freshness, as exaggerated recollections and humorous embellishments inject personality into each level. It’s not a deeply emotional or layered narrative, and it never tries to be, but its tone and humor align perfectly with its Saturday morning cartoon inspirations. Still, the pacing of the story sequences and some uneven voice-babble dialogue might test the patience of those hoping for a more modern narrative rhythm.
What truly makes Yooka-Replaylee shine compared to its predecessor is the gameplay overhaul. The developers clearly studied the criticisms of the original and rebuilt many of its systems from the ground up. Platforming feels significantly more fluid now, thanks to reworked controls and tighter camera management that make tricky jumps and environmental puzzles less frustrating. The duo’s expanded moveset adds new depth to traversal, encouraging creative combinations of abilities and rewarding players who experiment. Collectibles, always a major part of the Playtonic DNA, have also been rearranged and rebalanced. The sheer number of Pagies and coins could still feel overwhelming to completionists, but the revamped adventurer’s notebook and new fast-travel system help ease the burden considerably.
A welcome surprise comes in the form of expanded side content. The introduction of Rextro’s isometric platforming levels within the main campaign adds a nostalgic change of pace that feels both clever and cohesive with the game’s retro sensibilities. These levels are more than distractions; they act as bite-sized challenges that showcase the game’s varied mechanics in fresh ways. Meanwhile, the inclusion of new currencies, side challenges, and customisation options like tonics and outfits make revisiting levels more rewarding, even if the interface occasionally clutters the screen with information.
Visually, Yooka-Replaylee makes a strong case for being one of the most attractive platformer remasters in recent memory. The PS5 version benefits from crisp textures, improved lighting, and smoother performance across all environments, from lush jungles to mechanical strongholds. There’s a clear attention to detail here – a respect for the original’s style paired with modern polish. Accompanying the visuals is an orchestral rearrangement of the beloved soundtrack, featuring compositions from genre legends David Wise, Grant Kirkhope, and Steve Burke. It’s a standout element that does more than just evoke nostalgia; it elevates the mood of exploration with rich, dynamic instrumentation.
While Yooka-Replaylee may not completely transcend its retro inspirations, it succeeds in refining them. The sense of discovery, humor, and lively platforming that made the original charming are now paired with mechanical consistency and aesthetic polish. Some structural issues linger, including occasional repetition and an overabundance of collectibles, but this reimagining stands as a genuine improvement rather than a mere visual upgrade. For fans of classic 3D platformers, it’s both a nostalgic homecoming and a confident step forward for Playtonic’s universe.
In short, Yooka-Replaylee is the version of Yooka-Laylee that players always wanted. It’s still unabashedly old-school, but with modern precision and presentation. If the original was a rough gem, this is the polished edition that finally sparkles – a joyous celebration of the genre’s past that’s ready for the present, and one of this year’s top platformers.
Score: 8.2/10