Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

About

Explore a vast urban landscape in this narrative-driven, 2D top-down platforming adventure! In Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, you're a budding yoyo master facing off against enemies using the weapon you know best: your prized yoyo! As Pippit, you'll be quite literally thrown into the shocking story of your auntie's business empire, a soul-stealing mega-laser, and four dastardly crime bosses! E…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo screenshot

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 290 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

optimization1 negative mentions

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a charming and nostalgic 2D Zelda-like game that successfully evokes the spirit of GameBoy Advance titles with its art style and soundtrack.
The game features a unique upgrade system that adds depth to gameplay, allowing players to customize their abilities while managing a debt mechanic that enhances the challenge.
With engaging puzzles, creative platforming, and a vibrant world filled with secrets, the game offers a satisfying exploration experience that keeps players invested for hours.

Some players find the debt system frustrating, as it can lead to a feeling of being penalized during gameplay, especially when trying to upgrade abilities.
The combat can feel unbalanced at times, particularly in the early game where players may struggle due to limited abilities and health.
While the game is generally well-received, some critics mention that certain combat encounters can become repetitive or overly challenging without proper pacing.

gameplay
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The gameplay is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, clever puzzles, and nostalgic Zelda-like elements, particularly the unique yo-yo mechanic that adds depth to both combat and exploration. Players appreciate the game's charming art style, catchy music, and the balance of challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for a variety of playstyles. Overall, the gameplay is described as polished, fun, and rewarding, with a strong emphasis on exploration and character interaction.
- “Genuinely one of the best Zelda-likes I've ever played - art style, accessibility options, gameplay, sound design, it's fun, quirky, and just all around a good time.”
- “The gameplay feels great; any time I messed up, it always felt like my fault and not the game messing up.”
- “Challenging platforming, rewarding exploration, smart mechanics with clever puzzles to use them in, and plenty of options in combat, all wrapped up with nice sprite work and a catchy soundtrack.”
- “Gameplay is easy to learn the basics, but deep and customizable enough to accommodate different styles and builds.”
- “There is a detailed map system and gated progression due to unlockable items, actions, and movement mechanics (looks like there will be a need to constantly re-explore to find everything).”
- “Dungeons are super satisfying and seem to sprawl out in unexpected ways; puzzles aren't too challenging but also scratch that 'A Link to the Past'/'Minish Cap' style of room design that's really satisfying to spot the solution for, all built around the core yo-yo mechanic.”
music
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
30%
5%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, nostalgic tunes reminiscent of Game Boy Advance soundtracks, with contributions from renowned composer Yoko Shimomura. While many players find the soundtrack engaging and memorable, some express a desire for more variety, particularly in longer gameplay segments. Overall, the music enhances the game's charm and complements its vibrant art style and engaging mechanics.
- “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.”
- “The soundtrack and art style really succeed in evoking Game Boy Advance nostalgia.”
- “The music and soundtracks were awesome, retro style and brings back that nostalgia.”
- “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.”
- “It's a good game, great premise and really decent execution - maybe except the music at the football stadium...”
- “Still, the main composer of the game made some catchy tunes and the soundtrack is decent overall.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and nostalgic Game Boy Advance aesthetic, evoking fond memories of classic titles from that era. Reviewers highlight the unique art style, vibrant visuals, and fluid gameplay, all of which contribute to an engaging and enjoyable experience. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful, with a clean look reminiscent of both GBA and SNES games, enhancing the game's quirky and fun atmosphere.
- “The visuals are very Game Boy Advance and the art style is unique and fun.”
- “Only a little ways through the game but it is wonderfully charming, with great music and visuals that look like how I remember Game Boy Advance games looking.”
- “The devs dug into the old Game Boy Advance aesthetic, complete with fun LCD settings you can turn on that actually look decent.”
story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
57%
8%
The story of the game is engaging and charming, featuring a kid-friendly tone with morally complex characters, including a self-justifying side character. Players appreciate the humor and creativity in the narrative, which complements the gameplay through dungeons and puzzles, while the protagonist's quest to restore their aunt adds emotional depth. Overall, the story is well-received for its entertaining dialogue and intriguing themes, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “Even the characters were great; pretty much no one in the story is a completely good person, even Pippit, but that just made it all the more enjoyable for me.”
- “The story involves him traversing the city's main areas and defeating the four big bads, meeting all sorts along the way.”
- “The soundtrack's pretty good, and the story is genuinely funny and entertaining to watch, which is a rarity in gameplay-driven indie games.”
- “The story is whatever; so far it's just getting the job done.”
- “Intrigue in the story setup - the game is kid-friendly in tone but presents an amoral, self-justifying side character whom the protagonist sponges off of.”
- “Pipp's an adorable protagonist, and I really like the themes they're setting up for the story (assuming they follow it up).”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and effectiveness, with players highlighting the quirky dialogues of charismatic characters and the entertaining, often funny storylines. Many reviewers noted that the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making even challenging moments enjoyable and adding a lighthearted touch to the overall adventure. Overall, the game's witty writing and comedic elements contribute significantly to its appeal, especially for fans of puzzle and exploration genres.
- “The characters are charismatic, the writing is funny, and the gameplay is really tight and fun!”
- “The writing is very good as well, NPCs all have something to say and it's usually funny.”
- “The soundtrack's pretty good, and the story is genuinely funny and entertaining to watch, which is a rarity in gameplay-driven indie games.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game is inconsistent, with performance issues that can feel erratic, resembling a poorly executed yoyo act. However, there are moments where the game manages to impress with unexpected improvements, suggesting potential for better stability.
- “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!”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development for its exceptional design and vibrant colors, contributing to an overall immersive experience that enhances the game's appeal.
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that there are no grinding achievements in the game, indicating that players do not need to engage in repetitive tasks to unlock rewards. This suggests a more streamlined experience focused on enjoyment rather than time-consuming grinding.

Buy Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Videos

84%17.8kreviews

CrossCode

2021

Role Playing Shooter

82%711reviews

Phoenotopia: Awakening

2021

Open World Role Playing

92%2.5kreviews

Haiku, the Robot

2022

Open World Platformer

91%20.1kreviews

Death's Door

2021

Arcade Hack and Slash

+10

Turbo Kid

Action

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Tweets

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Platforms

About

Buy Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo