Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a top-down 2D action-adventure game that released in May of last year, combining classic Zelda dungeoneering and upgrade progression with an urban setting and fresh yoyo tricks. It was developed by Brazilian studio Pocket Trap, who've previously created Dodgeball Academia.
Catch Yoyo Drift
This game puts you in the boots of Pippit, a young yoyo enthusiast visiting his aunt and entrepreneur Madame Pipistrello, just as she's attacked by four evil crime bosses who have beef with her. One thing leads to another, and suddenly aunti's soul is trapped in Pippit's yoyo, and the two have to work together to put her back in her body. The game revolves all around Pippit's use of his yoyo, from the basic attack to the metroidvania-style ability unlocks, all the problems in the game can be solved by throwing your yoyo at them in the right way. Each new ability meaningfully expands and compliments your toolkit, and the developers have done a remarkable job of coming up with clever puzzles and technical platforming challenges that put you through your paces. Wait, platforming? In a 2D top-down game? Yes! This game is probably the best example of top-down platforming I have ever seen.
The combat is good but not great; each move feels satisfying thanks to the game's general responsiveness and satisfying sound design, and enemies exploding into clouds of coins to collect never gets old. But I did find it lacking in depth; it's by no means bad, but it's definitely not as strong as the rest of the gameplay. Some special moves are very powerful, leaving little reason to use anything else. And while each enemy does have a unique move set, there just isn't a huge amount of them.
Dungeon-Crawl in a Mall
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a game that takes place entirely within a city, trading dilapidated temples and stuffy dungeons for locations like a mall, a construction site and a football-stadium. The setting feels fresh thanks to how these places are contextualized with the gameplay mechanics, and the Brazilian flair. It also helps that this game's sprite work is fantastic! The different districts of the city feel distinct, the stylish character designs each pop with colour. It successfully evokes memories of the best that offerings of the Gameboy Advance. The soundtrack accompanying your journey is great too, though some tracks stay on repeat a little too much.
(Almost) no Strings Attached
I had an absolute blast playing this game on my Steam Deck, and couldn't put it down until I completed it to 100%! As silly as it sounds, it just feels good to push the buttons! While I do have some minor gripes about missing depth in the combat, a strangely punishing upgrade system and some truly devious optional challenges, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a game I happily recommend to anyone who thinks the trailer looks even remotely interesting.
