Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

About

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a single player platformer game with a kids theme. It was developed by Pocket Trap and was released on May 28, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a 2D top-down platformer blending combat, puzzles, and exploration across a vast urban landscape. Players use a versatile yoyo to battle rival crime entrepreneurs while navigating the city through creative tricks and maneuvers. The game offers multiple solutions to challenges, encouraging inventive approaches and discovery.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo screenshot

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 771 reviews

gameplay91 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Lovingly crafted with charm filling every pixel, reminiscent of classic handheld games.
Incredibly engaging gameplay with a unique yoyo mechanic that enhances combat and traversal.
Tons of customization options in abilities and difficulty, providing high replayability.

Late game platforming can be unexpectedly challenging, potentially frustrating for some players.
The upgrade system, while unique, can lead to temporary debuffs that may hinder gameplay.
Some players may find the story and character dialogue lacking depth or overly simplistic.

gameplay
223 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
58%
1%
The gameplay of "Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo" is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, particularly the innovative use of the yoyo for both combat and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the clever level design, which gradually introduces new mechanics and challenges, ensuring a satisfying progression and exploration experience. The game successfully combines nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic Zelda titles with fresh, unique gameplay twists, making it a standout in the action-adventure genre.
- “Not only does Pipistrello flawlessly emulate the charming GBA aesthetic, but it backs it up with some of the best gameplay and level design this genre has ever seen.”
- “The unique yo-yo mechanics make for a fantastically fresh experience.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the mechanics feel good, and it gives the player the freedom to try to do things their way without railroad them into a specific path or forcing the player to always solve things with one answer.”
- “Wears its GBA/old-school Zelda inspirations on its sleeve, with nice puzzles and lots of optional upgrades to find, but be warned that in the back half the difficulty ramps up well beyond anything in those games, especially on the traversal side of things, where many rooms and challenges turn into 'cross pits of increasing length and numbers of mechanics without falling or else restart the room/checkpoint again' which can test your patience on top of the intended skill check.”
- “The early stages ease you into the mechanics with forgiving enemies and generous checkpoints, but later chapters introduce tougher platforming sequences, intricate boss fights, and layered environmental hazards that demand precision.”
- “I think the major one is that for the walk-the-dog move the input can be a bit finicky and a little too precise, especially in late game platforming; there needs to be some sort of a stored input mechanic when Pippit is unactionable.”
music
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, nostalgic tunes that evoke a retro vibe reminiscent of classic Game Boy Advance titles. Composed by the renowned Yoko Shimomura, the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, featuring memorable melodies that players find themselves humming long after playing. While some noted a desire for more variety in tracks during extended play, the general consensus is that the music is a standout element, perfectly complementing the game's charming visuals and engaging gameplay.
- “The music is fantastic for setting the feel of the different areas.”
- “The soundtrack reinforces the retro inspiration but adds a contemporary polish, blending upbeat chiptune melodies with jazzy rhythms and subtle electronic undertones.”
- “The music is super catchy, no wonder since some of it is from Yoko Shimomura, and the Game Boy Advance aesthetic is really nostalgic and beautiful at the same time.”
- “If it has one weakness, it's the music.”
- “I would love some soundtrack variation in some areas; you will be spending upwards of 3 hours in some areas. Can I get some more great tracks? Sure, they are good, but they can start to grind after the 15th repeat.”
- “The music and pixel art are solid, but the story was forgettable.”
story
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The story of "Pipistrello" is engaging and lighthearted, featuring a unique premise that blends humor with social commentary on capitalism. While some players find the narrative basic and the quests somewhat simplistic, the writing is generally praised for its charm and quirkiness, with a variety of side missions and collectibles that enhance the experience. Overall, the story serves its purpose without being overly complex, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay and exploration alongside a whimsical narrative.
- “The story is light but weird in a fun way — your yo-yo is your dead aunt who used to run the city’s crime syndicate.”
- “It weaves humor and satire into its story without losing emotional weight.”
- “The world feels handcrafted, each corner filled with clever visual storytelling that hints at the social hierarchy and technological contradictions of the Pipistrello empire.”
- “The only downside I can think of is that the story is pretty basic and the dialogue is quippy, but everything else from design to art to gameplay is fantastic.”
- “The story is fairly plain but occasionally worth a chuckle; however, the gameplay is top-notch.”
- “My only pet peeve with the game is the narrative part, which is honestly understandable considering the target audience of this game is more for the young, but still, most NPCs are uninteresting, some of the secondary characters lack personality besides their art style, and the main storyline is really short, linear, and predictable.”
graphics
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The graphics of "Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo" are widely praised for their charming and vibrant Game Boy Advance-inspired pixel art style, which successfully evokes nostalgia while incorporating modern design sensibilities. Reviewers highlight the unique character designs, fluid animations, and detailed environments that enhance the gameplay experience, although some note that certain areas can feel repetitive. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Not only does Pipistrello flawlessly emulate the charming GBA aesthetic, but it backs it up with some of the best gameplay and level design this genre has ever seen.”
- “The visuals are vivid and evoke the best of GBA pixel art.”
- “A delightful metroidvania with a lovingly rendered GBA-inspired art style and soundtrack.”
- “Despite the areas in the city having different themes (like a mall or a construction zone), the environment can start to feel a little repetitive in terms of aesthetics.”
- “The story is meh and the art style is polarizing, but the gameplay is sublime.”
- “I'll be honest, at first glance I wasn't that into the art style, but it really grew on me.”
humor
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, charming characters, and lighthearted tone, often delivering genuine laughs without feeling forced. Reviewers appreciate the witty dialogue and satirical commentary on modern society, particularly regarding capitalism, which adds depth to the overall experience. The combination of engaging gameplay, intricate puzzles, and humorous interactions creates a delightful atmosphere that keeps players entertained throughout their adventure.
- “Tons of optional/side content to delve into, huge world to explore, excellent soundtrack, fantastic pixel art, oozes with charm and humor.”
- “The writing is clever and funny.”
- “The game is also filled to the brim with charm, conveying a funny parody of modern society while still keeping a lighthearted tone.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Character development in the game is highlighted by vibrant and expressive pixel art designs that enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some players find certain character designs overly complex or ill-suited for the pixel art style, the fluid animations and energetic visuals contribute positively to the game's appeal. Overall, the character designs are praised for their boldness and creativity, making them a standout feature of the game.
- “Character designs are bold and expressive, and the animation work is fluid, giving the game a sense of energy that makes even simple movement satisfying to watch.”
- “Colours are crisp, the character design is top-notch, and everything just 'feels' great.”
- “I find the character designs overworked to the point of being unclear and unpleasant to look at, although I do like the animations and silhouettes of Pippit's various moves.”
- “I do feel like the character designs are a bit ill-suited for the pixel art style, but it really doesn't get in the way of gameplay at all.”
- “The pixel artwork is some of the best you will see in a game this year—from the detailed character design to the introductions of items and the abilities you unlock.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments, creating an engaging experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers noted the game's nostalgic charm, evoking feelings of childhood while delivering a touching narrative, particularly through its impactful ending and endgame twist. Despite some criticisms regarding character depth, the overall emotional journey is described as satisfying and memorable.
- “This all builds to an emotionally satisfying conclusion that maintains its humor while still managing to tug at your heartstrings.”
- “It weaves humor and satire into its story without losing emotional weight.”
- “The characters and dialogue are cute and fun, and the story is very touching.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game frustrating due to tedious boss fights that feel overly long and spongy, compounded by a punishing upgrade system that requires extensive farming for resources. The need to grind for upgrades, especially after deaths that cost money, detracts from the overall enjoyment and leads to a sense of monotony, making the combat experience feel less rewarding. While exploration remains engaging, the grind for upgrades and the repetitive nature of boss encounters significantly diminish the game's appeal.
- “The worst aspect is probably the combat, especially the much-too-spongy boss fights. The sheer size and length of some nonstop platforming sections, as well as the ever-debuffing upgrade grind, are frustrating. Each death costs you a portion of your money, and respawning enemies no longer yield cash unless you've stopped to rest. This results in upgrades feeling either trivialized and unearned or requiring tons of monotonous farming.”
- “Combat starts to get tedious and overly long-winded as you have to consider the insane potential of your increasing ability set at split seconds while juggling an upgrade debt system. While thematically fitting and interesting in its risk/reward at first glance, it ultimately makes the game overly frustrating for not enough reward by the end.”
- “Not being able to pay outright for upgrades because your cousin is a germaphobe is an incredibly frustrating joke. It punishes you for not engaging with upgrades if you want a better chance at surviving harder sections of the game. This led to extremely tedious money grinding right before the final boss, as the last upgrades in the tree have such a high debt cost that even after completing two dungeons, I still wasn't done paying it off.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game offers significant replayability due to extensive customization options for abilities and difficulty levels, allowing players to tailor their experience and revisit the game multiple times.
- “The game offers tons of customization in both abilities and difficulty, which gives it a lot of replayability.”
- “Each playthrough feels unique due to the diverse choices and paths available, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
- “The random events and different character builds ensure that no two runs are ever the same, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage me to replay it.”
- “Once you complete the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive after the first playthrough, diminishing its replay value.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game runs smoothly without any significant issues, indicating a high level of stability.
- “Runs great!”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance without any crashes.”
- “I've experienced no bugs or glitches, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for inconsistent performance, resembling a chaotic experience that occasionally surprises with unexpected improvements. Overall, players feel that the optimization needs significant refinement to provide a smoother gameplay experience.
- “The optimization in this game is impressive; it really enhances the overall experience and keeps the gameplay smooth.”
- “I love how the developers have fine-tuned the mechanics, making everything feel responsive and polished.”
- “The performance optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless transitions and minimal lag during intense moments.”
- “Almost felt like a yo-yo performance gone wrong, but then pulling out tricks at the last moment - yeah, I totally meant to do that, promise guys!”
- “The optimization is so poor that it feels like the game is constantly struggling to keep up.”
- “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is a blend of nostalgic and modern elements, evoking a sense of wonder typical of great adventure games. Each area is distinctively crafted, reflecting the unique characteristics of the villains encountered, which enhances the overall immersive experience.
- “Together, the sights and sounds of the game create an atmosphere that feels nostalgic yet unmistakably modern, capturing the sense of wonder that defines great adventure games.”
- “Each area in the game has its unique feel and atmosphere based on the type of villain you're dealing with.”

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22h Median play time

22h Average play time

22-22h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a platformer game with kids theme.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 22 hours playing Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was released on May 28, 2025.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was developed by Pocket Trap.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a single player game.

Similar games include CrossCode, Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, Minishoot' Adventures, Garbanzo Quest, Phoenotopia: Awakening and others.

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