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Playtonic unveils Yooka-Laylee (Banjo Kazooie successor) [Kickstarter LIVE - Funded]

P

Peff

Member
This game is definitely more Tooie than Kazooie, which explains the reviews. There are some long-ish sections without checkpoints, you aren't explicitly told how to get some of the pagies or what some absorbed effects do... plus the worlds are big and there is no map or anything of the sort, so you have to have both spatial awareness and memorize the level layout and the stuff you have to come back to later
and also for the quizzes lol
. It's also not quite as refined as Rare's stuff used to be for obvious reasons, but at least the jank is mostly contained to transformations, mini-games and a couple of specific sections.The second world is overwhelming at first, but it gets better when you figure out how each section is connected to others, and it has a
Zelda-esque dungeon of sorts
, which was a pretty cool surprise. Those of us who liked Tooie will feel right at home, but Yooka-Laylee is certainly not an easy game to recommend to everybody in 2017, which is too bad, but there's always Mario Odyssey and Psychonauts 2.
 
C

Curler

Unconfirmed Member
Does anyone know if the digital soundtrack is any different/bigger/smaller than the physical one coming in the mail?
 
J

JonnyKong

Member
I've just realised, if my physical copy does come on Monday, I won't be at home to sign for it, or Tuesday when they attempt re delivery, so I'll have to wait until next weekend to go to the post office depot to fetch it.

Now I'm feeling quite annoyed at myself for switching my pledge from digital to physical 😣
 
L

louiedog

Member
JonnyKong said:
I've just realised, if my physical copy does come on Monday, I won't be at home to sign for it, or Tuesday when they attempt re delivery, so I'll have to wait until next weekend to go to the post office depot to fetch it.

Now I'm feeling quite annoyed at myself for switching my pledge from digital to physical ��
Click to expand...

If you can track it you might be able to get the post office to hold it on Monday if you could get it in the AM instead of attempting delivery and pick it up then, or send it to another address like work/family/friend.

If you're in the US they have a package intercept feature that I haven't used, but you can try here.
 
J

JonnyKong

Member
I'm in the UK, and they're not sending out a tracking number unfortunately.

All I can do is cross my fingers and toes that one of my neighbours are in and they can sign for it instead.
 
illusionary

illusionary

Member
Linkstrikesback said:
And as a reminder, this was always the plan. The kickstarter had a free (for backers) dlc goal, that was to be developed post release
Click to expand...
Yep, absolutely - the announcement of DLC was actually somewhat controversial at the time of the original Kickstarter. Fine by me, though... I'm hoping that it's actual playable content of some form, rather than just skins or similar that I think that I saw mooted at one point - though full new levels are most likely too much to hope for.

Curler said:
Does anyone know if the digital soundtrack is any different/bigger/smaller than the physical one coming in the mail?
Click to expand...
I'm expecting it to be the same, though can't confirm.

And on that note, the digital versions of the manual/artbook and soundtrack are now available via BackerKit, for those at appropriate tiers.

I was hoping that the artbook would be somewhat more substantial than it seems to be, and separate from the manual... but I'll try not to pre-judge the arrival of the physical equivalents. As I don't have a Steam key available in BackerKit, I'm assuming that the key will be inside the boxed copy that I'm getting.
 
C

Curler

Unconfirmed Member
illusionary said:
I was hoping that the artbook would be somewhat more substantial than it seems to be, and separate from the manual... but I'll try not to pre-judge the arrival of the physical equivalents. As I don't have a Steam key available in BackerKit, I'm assuming that the key will be inside the boxed copy that I'm getting.
Click to expand...

Did you back a Steam copy along with a physical tier? I don't think they are supplying additional Steam keys on top of it. I was double-checking my own, since I upgraded my PC copy to physical and digital PS4 copy to a physical, and although I'm getting the digital soundtrack/artbook/manual physically, there was nothing in the Backerkit stating an actual Steam game.
 
bumpkin

bumpkin

Member
I chose a digital copy for Switch as an extra copy, but backed for the physical PC collectors edition. BackerKit still lists it as "Ready to Ship", but I hope their data is just wrong. I'll be bummed if I don't have it by Tuesday; for PC, I mean. I know there isn't an ETA for Switch yet.

I did get an email about the manual/art book and soundtrack downloads today which was a pleasant surprise. Makes the waiting a bit rough though.
 
illusionary

illusionary

Member
Curler said:
Did you back a Steam copy along with a physical tier? I don't think they are supplying additional Steam keys on top of it. I was double-checking my own, since I upgraded my PC copy to physical and digital PS4 copy to a physical, and although I'm getting the digital soundtrack/artbook/manual physically, there was nothing in the Backerkit stating an actual Steam game.
Click to expand...

I backed for the physical tier, with the physical PC version, alongside a PS4 digital copy (not upgraded). The physical copy's still going to be tier to Steam, though. AFAIK.

Edit: here's a copy of a response to a query that I raised during the original campaign:

Hello,

Thank you for your message!

- The physical PC version will include one digital version for a platform of your choice

- The physical version will be a steam install disc. At the moment we don't know if and when we can release a DRM-free version

- The packaging will most likely be a standard DVD case. Any non-standard packaging will drive up costs significantly

- Producing a physical version for consoles is a lot more involved, so they're limited to a digital release for now

Cheers,

Jens
Click to expand...
 
K

Kamek Koopa

Member
Peff said:
This game is definitely more Tooie than Kazooie, which explains the reviews. There are some long-ish sections without checkpoints, you aren't explicitly told how to get some of the pagies or what some absorbed effects do... plus the worlds are big and there is no map or anything of the sort, so you have to have both spatial awareness and memorize the level layout and the stuff you have to come back to later
and also for the quizzes lol
. It's also not quite as refined as Rare's stuff used to be for obvious reasons, but at least the jank is mostly contained to transformations, mini-games and a couple of specific sections.The second world is overwhelming at first, but it gets better when you figure out how each section is connected to others, and it has a
Zelda-esque dungeon of sorts
, which was a pretty cool surprise. Those of us who liked Tooie will feel right at home, but Yooka-Laylee is certainly not an easy game to recommend to everybody in 2017, which is too bad, but there's always Mario Odyssey and Psychonauts 2.
Click to expand...

I find it odd that when people talk about Tooie they only keep in mind the size of the worlds, when I actually think that Tooie has a bad pace and isn't liked by a lot of people not (only) because of the size of the levels, but also and specially due to the insane comings and goings that the game requires you to do in order to just get one little reward. Yes, Tooie's worlds are big, but the problem is that very often you have to get to an area several times (for example, first time with Banjo, then with Mumbo, then transformed, then carrying another character, etc) just for one Jiggy.

What I've seen of Yooka-Laylee's design (again, you are the one who is already playing it, not me) is definitely more in the Kazooie vibe, with simple and direct challenges that you can complete when you reach them, so you are exploring a massive world but also getting Pagies, Quills and other tokens constantly. That's why the first BK has a great pace (and why BT doesn't), and I hope that all the game is like that.

Another key factor is that in BK you spend most of the exploring time doing different things (not just walking, but also swimming, climbing, jumping and gliding), while in Tooie those moves are usually limited to the challenge areas and you just walk, walk and walk from one place to another. Again, what I've seen of Yooka-Laylee (at least worlds 1 and 2) regarding this is more similar to BK than to BT.
 
Lynd7

Lynd7

Member
Just downloaded the KS soundtrack etc, whats the difference between the backer soundtrack and the normal release?
 
K

Kouichi

Member
I've gotten my steam code, manual, and soundtrack for backing the game. Just a few more days!

I'm trying so hard not spoil the whole soundtrack before I play, but I've only listened to the main theme and it's already sooooooo good. Based Kirkhope.
 
P

Peff

Member
Kamek Koopa said:
I find it odd that when people talk about Tooie they only keep in mind the size of the worlds, when I actually think that Tooie has a bad pace and isn't liked by a lot of people not (only) because of the size of the levels, but also and specially due to the insane comings and goings that the game requires you to do in order to just get one little reward. Yes, Tooie's worlds are big, but the problem is that very often you have to get to an area several times (for example, first time with Banjo, then with Mumbo, then transformed, then carrying another character, etc) just for one Jiggy.

What I've seen of Yooka-Laylee's design (again, you are the one who is already playing it, not me) is definitely more in the Kazooie vibe, with simple and direct challenges that you can complete when you reach them, so you are exploring a massive world but also getting Pagies, Quills and other tokens constantly. That's why the first BK has a great pace (and why BT doesn't), and I hope that all the game is like that.

Another key factor is that in BK you spend most of the exploring time doing different things (not just walking, but also swimming, climbing, jumping and gliding), while in Tooie those moves are usually limited to the challenge areas and you just walk, walk and walk from one place to another. Again, what I've seen of Yooka-Laylee (at least worlds 1 and 2) regarding this is more similar to BK than to BT.
Click to expand...

You're right that Tooie eventually devolves into Backtracking: The Game, but up to Jolly Roger's Lagoon or so the game is not that different from Kazooie (except, well, bigger), and I'd say it's a decent representation of what to expect in YL. None of the first four worlds ever reach the levels of absurdity of Grunty Industries, but they don't shy away from having you comb the level for Quills or traverse parts of the map back and forth either, not to mention that the world expanding mechanic is a bit of a pointless gimmick (it's less creating extra sections of the map and more unlocking the full world).. Luckily, I *think* the final Pagie requirements may be low enough that everyone can pick and choose what they think will be fun to do. I'm just not sure that the Kazooie-ness will hold if you try to 100% it, whereas Tooie fans should be able to enjoy all of it, I suppose.

That said, the one thing I'm finding disappointing is the OST. It's not that the tracks are bad, but everything is surprisingly slow tempo. I keep expecting more upbeat stuff ala Freezeezy Peak or Click Clock Wood, but no dice. David Wise's tracks are more in line with what you'd expect, though, and they sound great.
 
K

Kinsei

Banned
Peff said:
You're right that Tooie eventually devolves into Backtracking: The Game, but up to Jolly Roger's Lagoon or so the game is not that different from Kazooie (except, well, bigger), and I'd say it's a decent representation of what to expect in YL. None of the first four worlds ever reach the levels of absurdity of Grunty Industries, but they don't shy away from having you comb the level for Quills or traverse parts of the map back and forth either, not to mention that the world expanding mechanic is a bit of a pointless gimmick (it's less creating extra sections of the map and more unlocking the full world).. Luckily, I *think* the final Pagie requirements may be low enough that everyone can pick and choose what they think will be fun to do. I'm just not sure that the Kazooie-ness will hold if you try to 100% it, whereas Tooie fans should be able to enjoy all of it, I suppose.

That said, the one thing I'm finding disappointing is the OST. It's not that the tracks are bad, but everything is surprisingly slow tempo. I keep expecting more upbeat stuff ala Freezeezy Peak or Click Clock Wood, but no dice. David Wise's tracks are more in line with what you'd expect, though, and they sound great.
Click to expand...

That's kinda disappointing that no levels go crazy like GI. That's my favorite world in Tooie.
 
L

Lijik

Member
Peff said:
Luckily, I *think* the final Pagie requirements may be low enough that everyone can pick and choose what they think will be fun to do.
Click to expand...
Its a slightly common criticism in reviews that this isnt actually the case as
the count they tell you that you need is actually fake, and in a "joke" they double the requirement when you try to pass through with the first amount
and it definitely seems like a moment that if you didnt know was coming would just intensify any negative feelings you'd have if you were down on the game.
 
N

NEO0MJ

Member
Kouichi said:
I've gotten my steam code, manual, and soundtrack for backing the game. Just a few more days!

I'm trying so hard not spoil the whole soundtrack before I play, but I've only listened to the main theme and it's already sooooooo good. Based Kirkhope.
Click to expand...

Only thing that disappointed me is the limited number of tracks, but that's expected due to the number of worlds.
 
K

Kamek Koopa

Member
Peff said:
You're right that Tooie eventually devolves into Backtracking: The Game, but up to Jolly Roger's Lagoon or so the game is not that different from Kazooie (except, well, bigger), and I'd say it's a decent representation of what to expect in YL. None of the first four worlds ever reach the levels of absurdity of Grunty Industries, but they don't shy away from having you comb the level for Quills or traverse parts of the map back and forth either, not to mention that the world expanding mechanic is a bit of a pointless gimmick (it's less creating extra sections of the map and more unlocking the full world).. Luckily, I *think* the final Pagie requirements may be low enough that everyone can pick and choose what they think will be fun to do. I'm just not sure that the Kazooie-ness will hold if you try to 100% it, whereas Tooie fans should be able to enjoy all of it, I suppose.

That said, the one thing I'm finding disappointing is the OST. It's not that the tracks are bad, but everything is surprisingly slow tempo. I keep expecting more upbeat stuff ala Freezeezy Peak or Click Clock Wood, but no dice. David Wise's tracks are more in line with what you'd expect, though, and they sound great.
Click to expand...

I agree that Jolly Roger Lagoon is probably the most "Kazooie" of Tooie's Worlds, and that's why it is my favourite. Grunty Industries is also great, due to its mazy dungeon-like structure. It's like playing Zelda in Banjo and it's awesome. However, Terrydactiland (dat triceratops family quest...), Hailfire Peaks and Cloudcuckooland are just terrible in terms of the amount of time spent going to the same areas.

Now i'm seriously concerned about the World 3 of Yooka-Laylee. I've read it's the worse, even worse than the in-famous casino, in both level design and aesthetic (while there is one review that said it was the best one). Can you confirm or refute it?
 
P

Peff

Member
Lijik said:
Its a slightly common criticism in reviews that this isnt actually the case as
the count they tell you that you need is actually fake, and in a "joke" they double the requirement when you try to pass through with the first amount
and it definitely seems like a moment that if you didnt know was coming would just intensify any negative feelings you'd have if you were down on the game.
Click to expand...

Oh, wow. That is so Rare, haha.

Kamek Koopa said:
I agree that Jolly Roger Lagoon is probably the most "Kazooie" of Tooie's Worlds, and that's why it is my favourite. Grunty Industries is also great, due to its mazy dungeon-like structure. It's like playing Zelda in Banjo and it's awesome. However, Terrydactiland (dat triceratops family quest...), Hailfire Peaks and Cloudcuckooland are just terrible in terms of the amount of time spent going to the same areas.

Now i'm seriously concerned about the World 3 of Yooka-Laylee. I've read it's the worse, even worse than the in-famous casino, in both level design and aesthetic (while there is one review that said it was the best one). Can you confirm or refute it?
Click to expand...

It's certainly the least interesting to look at. Gameplay-wise, I can see where people are coming from:
It's a dark swamp world which essentially consists of a bunch of islands surrounded by poisonous water, and many of the traversal challenges take you over it and off the safe ground, which combined with the samey-looking assets that make the layout more confusing than it should be can make the level annoying if you keep falling, I imagine. That said, other than a crappy golf Pagie I think is glitched, I did enjoy the ones I've gotten so far in that world, even if getting around is a hassle; there are several neat small obstacle courses and the boss is good, if easy.

People who do end up despising it might want to ignore it and keep on playing, though, because later on
you unlock free flight, which makes the swamp much, much easier to navigate for obvious reasons
. This is also cool in that
all the worlds seem to have flight-exclusive Pagies and secret collectibles, so it pays to go back and explore the levels again from a new point of view.
 
D

DJKhaled

Member
Garcia el Gringo said:
As someone who already received a digital Xbox copy as a backer, this is a great surprise.
Click to expand...
How did you get a copy already? I thought they hadn't sent out codes.

It's starting to annoy me that they haven't sent codes when people who didn't back it have been able to preload for weeks.

EDIT: so they have sent out xbox codes it seems (I need to read the thread first). Weird. I don't have an email.
 
K

Kamek Koopa

Member
Peff said:
It's certainly the least interesting to look at. Gameplay-wise, I can see where people are coming from:
It's a dark swamp world which essentially consists of a bunch of islands surrounded by poisonous water, and many of the traversal challenges take you over it and off the safe ground, which combined with the samey-looking assets that make the layout more confusing than it should be can make the level annoying if you keep falling, I imagine. That said, other than a crappy golf Pagie I think is glitched, I did enjoy the ones I've gotten so far in that world, even if getting around is a hassle; there are several neat small obstacle courses and the boss is good, if easy.

People who do end up despising it might want to ignore it and keep on playing, though, because later on
you unlock free flight, which makes the swamp much, much easier to navigate for obvious reasons
. This is also cool in that
all the worlds seem to have flight-exclusive Pagies and secret collectibles, so it pays to go back and explore the levels again from a new point of view.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your impressions. I've finally managed to see some footage of it and it looks far worse than "not interesting". It's hard to consider that this world is part of the same game than Tribalstack Tropics or the tutorial area. The darker illumination is terrible and the assets, background, textures and geometry of the elements are way beyond the rest of the levels. It honestly looks like a beta. Playtonic should consider to change at least the ilumination and the background.

However, gameplay-wise I have to say that the mazy progression is quite interesting.
 
P

PackAPunchedMick

Member
Toybox finally, after all this time......completed, the final button cost me several hours lol.

ps_messages_20170409_pipk8.jpg

Can't wait til Tuesday.
 
S

SlasherJPC

Banned
Peff said:
Oh, wow. That is so Rare, haha.



It's certainly the least interesting to look at. Gameplay-wise, I can see where people are coming from:
It's a dark swamp world which essentially consists of a bunch of islands surrounded by poisonous water, and many of the traversal challenges take you over it and off the safe ground, which combined with the samey-looking assets that make the layout more confusing than it should be can make the level annoying if you keep falling, I imagine. That said, other than a crappy golf Pagie I think is glitched, I did enjoy the ones I've gotten so far in that world, even if getting around is a hassle; there are several neat small obstacle courses and the boss is good, if easy.

People who do end up despising it might want to ignore it and keep on playing, though, because later on
you unlock free flight, which makes the swamp much, much easier to navigate for obvious reasons
. This is also cool in that
all the worlds seem to have flight-exclusive Pagies and secret collectibles, so it pays to go back and explore the levels again from a new point of view.
Click to expand...

Yes visually its sort of the most bland world but I still enjoyed it. Casino is still my least favorite by far. The final world is see cool though.
 
M

maxcriden

Member
DJKhaled said:
How did you get a copy already? I thought they hadn't sent out codes.

It's starting to annoy me that they haven't sent codes when people who didn't back it have been able to preload for weeks.

EDIT: so they have sent out xbox codes it seems (I need to read the thread first). Weird. I don't have an email.
Click to expand...

Just FWIW if it makes you feel any better, those who got an Xbox code can't play it yet either.
 
R

ramparter

Banned
SegaShack said:
Im from the US, no physical copy yet. Backerkit says "Ready To Ship". Is it like that for anyone else?
Click to expand...
If its PS4 tgen you will recive it tomorrow and it will be immediately playable. Other versions should be sent already but can only be installed, will be playable on launch.
 
illusionary

illusionary

Member
Koobion said:
I'm in the US and it says that for me too.
Click to expand...

SegaShack said:
Im from the US, no physical copy yet. Backerkit says "Ready To Ship". Is it like that for anyone else?
Click to expand...

JonnyKong said:
I don't know, I'm having issues trying to log into backerkit at the moment.
Click to expand...
Given what I'm seeing in the KIckstarter comments, the shipping status isn't being updated - I don't think that there's any need to be concerned just yet.

Woffls said:
I got the PC physical copy. How should I be expecting my Steam code: in the box, email, or backerkit?
Click to expand...
In the box.
 
V

Vash63

Member
e_i said:
Will the PC/Mac version have a preload?
Click to expand...

I'd like to know also, though for the Linux version. I think I heard Monday. Steam is usually fast enough for me that I should easily be able to download it before release at least, but I don't understand why they couldn't open preloads a few days earlier.
 
bumpkin

bumpkin

Member
illusionary said:
Given what I'm seeing in the KIckstarter comments, the shipping status isn't being updated - I don't think that there's any need to be concerned just yet.


In the box.
Click to expand...
I saw someone post a picture of a physical edition on Twitter and it looked like it comes on a disc, not a paper with a code.
 
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