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Yoku's Island Express

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Yoku's Island Express
Item: Yoku's Island Express
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Cards & Board Games, Platformer, Open World, Side View Perspective, Puzzle and Logic, Casual, Single Player

AvailableMay 29, 2018

PlatformPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One

DeveloperVilla Gorilla

Overview

Yoku’s Island Express is an open world/metroidvania-style pinball adventure, Seamlessly blending platform navigation with pinball mechanics across a large open world. Yoku the dung beetle sets foot on the beach of Mokumana Island, ready to take on the duties as the new postman. But the ancient island God is trapped in a restless sleep and the islanders are plagued by quakes and storms brought forth by its nightmares. Yoku's Island Express is a unique and quirky adventure with handcrafted visuals, where you'll soar through the air, vacuum explosive snails, fight a Screetch, feed starving lemurs, discover the mystery of the Fruit Altar, wake an old god, and hopefully help tiny Yoku rebuild the island post-office.

Elsewhere

7.4

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

92%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The majority of critics praised the story of Yoku's Island Express, highlighting its charm, uniqueness, and engaging narrative. Critics like PlayStation Country, Push Square, and Nintendo Insider appreciated the game's intriguing and inventive story that combined mature themes with a child-friendly aesthetic. The premise of a dung beetle postman embarking on a quest to save the island from calamity resonated well with reviewers, with DarkStation noting the sense of history and place to the island. The story was described as charming, fun, and engrossing by Impulsegamer, Nintendo Life, and Nintendo Insider, respectively, adding depth and purpose to the gameplay experience. While the majority of critics found the story of Yoku's Island Express to be a strong point, there were a few dissenting opinions regarding its impact. Nintendo Enthusiast mentioned that the story was not worth mentioning, suggesting that the game's charm came from other aspects. However, this seems to be an outlier, as most critics found the story to be a significant and enjoyable aspect of the game. It's worth noting that storytelling preferences can vary among reviewers, and some may prioritize different elements over the narrative in a game. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the story of Yoku's Island Express. The game's charming and inventive narrative, coupled with the unique premise of a dung beetle postman on a quest to save the island, resonated well with reviewers across different platforms. Critics like Game Informer and Xbox Tavern highlighted the engaging and compelling nature of the story, emphasizing how it added depth to the overall gameplay experience. Despite a few diverging opinions, the general sentiment is that the story of Yoku's Island Express is a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics raved about the charming and unique story of Yoku's Island Express, praising its engaging narrative and inventive premise of a dung beetle postman on a quest to save the island. While a few dissenting voices questioned its impact, the majority found the story to be a significant and enjoyable aspect that added depth and purpose to the gameplay. Overall, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers across platforms lauding the game's compelling storytelling as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

93%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Yoku's Island Express, highlighting its innovative fusion of pinball mechanics with platforming and Metroidvania elements. GamePro Germany commends the game for introducing new gameplay elements to keep things varied, while Gamer.nl appreciates the unique experience offered by combining platforming with pinball mechanics. IGN and IGN both emphasize the satisfying and natural integration of pinball mechanics into the game, with fast-firing flippers and cleverly designed challenges. PlaySense also lauds the seamless blend of platforming and pinball gameplay, allowing for exploration and choice in progression. However, some critics did mention a few drawbacks in the gameplay of Yoku's Island Express. Push Square notes that backtracking can be perplexing due to unpredictable travel methods, while NintendoWorldReport mentions frustrating movement, backtracking issues, and finicky controls. TheSixthAxis also points out that traversal can be challenging due to convoluted paths and lack of clear objectives. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the gameplay remains positive among the majority of reviewers. In conclusion, the gameplay of Yoku's Island Express is widely praised for its unique blend of pinball mechanics with platforming and Metroidvania elements. Critics appreciate the innovative and engaging experience offered by the game, with seamless integration of different gameplay mechanics. While some critics raised concerns about certain aspects such as backtracking and control issues, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with many reviewers highlighting the game's creativity, satisfying challenges, and enjoyable exploration. Nintendo Insider describes the gameplay as "brilliant, refreshing, and meticulously designed," capturing the sentiment shared by the majority of critics who found Yoku's Island Express to be a standout title in the genre.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics love the innovative gameplay of Yoku's Island Express, blending pinball mechanics with platforming and Metroidvania elements. Most praised its creativity and seamless integration of different mechanics. Some critics mentioned issues like perplexing backtracking and controls, but overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. The game offers a refreshing and engaging experience, with satisfying challenges and enjoyable exploration. Nintendo Insider hails it as "brilliant, refreshing, and meticulously designed," solidifying its standout status in the genre.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

90%

Mixed (50-79)

10%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Yoku's Island Express, highlighting its stunning hand-painted art style, vibrant colors, and charming character designs. Gamer.nl commended the game for its visually appealing presentation, noting the personality infused into the graphics style that enhances the overall experience. IGN and PlaySense both appreciated the gorgeous 2D levels and lovely painted art style, with IGN specifically mentioning the cool background parallaxing that adds depth to the visuals. Additionally, Push Square and DarkStation praised the consistently charming and imaginative visual design, with DarkStation mentioning the game's charm and character oozing from its visuals. While the overwhelming sentiment towards Yoku's Island Express's Graphics and Visual Design was positive, a few critics did not provide any negative feedback. However, it is worth noting that some reviewers may have found the art style to be somewhat familiar or reminiscent of other games like Rayman Legends, as mentioned by Digital Chumps and Critical Hit. This could be seen as a minor drawback for players looking for a completely unique visual experience. Additionally, some critics may have desired more variety in the environments or a deeper level of detail in certain areas, as implied by GameWatcher's mention of distinct visual locations. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Yoku's Island Express. The game's hand-painted aesthetic, vibrant color palette, and charming character designs received high praise from multiple reviewers across different platforms, including Nintendo Enthusiast, Game Informer, and Xbox Tavern. The majority of critics appreciated the game's unique art style, immersive world design, and the way visuals contributed to the overall enjoyment of the game. With a strong emphasis on creativity, charm, and visual appeal, Yoku's Island Express succeeded in creating a visually stunning and cohesive world that captivated players and critics alike.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics unanimously praised Yoku's Island Express for its stunning hand-painted art style, vibrant colors, and charming character designs, infusing personality into the graphics. While some found the style familiar, overall, reviewers loved the gorgeous 2D levels and immersive world design, with a few desiring more variety and detail. The game's visual charm and creativity captivated players and critics alike, making it a visually stunning experience praised across different platforms.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

97%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Yoku's Island Express, with many highlighting the positive impact it had on the overall gaming experience. Gamer.nl mentioned that the funky soundtrack added to the pleasant atmosphere and stole the show, while PlaySense appreciated how the cheerful tunes enhanced the gameplay. IGN, in their review for the Nintendo Switch version, noted the cheery music and cutesy Animal Crossing-style voices that added personality to the game. The sound design was also commended by multiple critics, with PlayStation Country mentioning how the ambient soundtrack complemented the visual style, creating a cohesive atmosphere. Nintendo Enthusiast and Nintendo Life both highlighted the top-notch sound design and memorable music that stayed with the reviewers long after completing the game. Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the Sound Design and Music of Yoku's Island Express, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned by some critics. While IGN praised the cheery music and cutesy voices, it was noted by GameSpot that the sound design and music kept things light and breezy throughout, which could potentially be seen as lacking depth or variety by some players. Additionally, Cubed3 mentioned that while the sounds and music contributed to the peaceful atmosphere, the overall sound design was competent but did not stand out as exceptional. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Yoku's Island Express are highly impressive and greatly enhance the gaming experience. The majority of reviewers appreciated the cheerful and engaging soundtrack, the cutesy voices that added personality to the game world, and the seamless integration of music with gameplay. The sound design was praised for creating a cohesive atmosphere, with distinctive sounds and ambient noises that immersed players in the whimsical world of Mokumana Island. Critics like TheSixthAxis and Worth Playing highlighted the delightful island tones, unique soundscape, and the way the music helped alleviate frustrations during gameplay. With such a strong positive sentiment from the majority of critics, it's clear that the Sound Design and Music of Yoku's Island Express are standout features that contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

TL;DR

music and sound design

The Sound Design and Music of Yoku's Island Express received high praise from critics for enhancing the gaming experience with cheerful tunes, cutesy voices, and ambient sounds. While some noted a lack of depth or standout exceptionalism, the majority lauded the impressive integration of music with gameplay, creating a cohesive and immersive atmosphere on Mokumana Island. Overall, critics agree that the sound design and music are standout features that greatly contribute to the game's charm and appeal.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Insider praises Yoku's Island Express for its smooth performance without any stability issues, indicating a positive experience. Additionally, Worth Playing highlights the game's smooth frame rate on the Xbox One, even with effects on-screen, and commends the frequent auto-saving feature that ensures stability. These positive aspects contribute to a seamless gameplay experience on both platforms, enhancing the overall immersion for players. On the other hand, Nintendo Enthusiast notes occasional glitching and performance drops on the Nintendo Switch version, although a release day patch is expected to address these issues. NintendoWorldReport mentions issues with movement and pinball controls leading to frustrating moments on the Nintendo Switch, indicating a lack of polish in certain technical aspects. XBLA Fans reports noticeable performance issues on the original Xbox One, such as frame rate drops and loading delays, which can disrupt the player's experience and affect gameplay flow. These technical drawbacks detract from the overall gameplay experience and may hinder player enjoyment on the respective platforms. Overall, the consensus among critics suggests that while Yoku's Island Express performs well on the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One in terms of stability and frame rate, there are notable technical issues present on both platforms that impact the overall experience. Critics like Nintendo Insider and Worth Playing highlight the positive technical aspects of the game, while others such as NintendoWorldReport and XBLA Fans point out specific issues that detract from the gameplay. The mixed feedback indicates a varied experience with technical performance across different gaming platforms, emphasizing the importance of addressing and improving these issues to enhance player satisfaction.

TL;DR

technical performance

Yoku's Island Express delivers smooth performance and stability on Nintendo Switch and Xbox One, enhancing gameplay immersion. While praised for its technical prowess by some critics, others note glitches and performance drops, especially on the Switch. Critics emphasize the need for improvement to ensure a consistent gaming experience across platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

71%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics praised the replay value of Yoku's Island Express, highlighting the abundance of side missions, collectibles, and secrets that encourage players to revisit the game. Critics like PlaySense and Push Square appreciated the open-world design that allows for exploration and different approaches to progression, while DarkStation and Impulsegamer found the side quests and hidden elements to be fun and engaging. IGN on the Nintendo Switch platform noted that completing all of Yoku's hidden Wickerlings and chests provided a satisfying challenge that motivated them to continue playing post-campaign. Additionally, GameSpace and Xbox Tavern commended the game for its hidden collectibles, upgrades, and backtracking elements that enhance the overall replay value. On the downside, some critics pointed out potential negatives regarding the replay value of Yoku's Island Express. Nintendo Life mentioned that while the game offers exploration and discovery, the limited roster of equipment may lead to a lack of variety in gameplay. TheSixthAxis highlighted that side quests and exploration activities could become repetitive due to their similarity in tasks, potentially diminishing the overall replayability of the game. Worth Playing also noted that the pinball mechanics involved in backtracking might affect the replay value for some players, as it could lead to repetitive gameplay experiences. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Yoku's Island Express offers substantial replay value through its diverse range of side missions, collectibles, and hidden elements that incentivize players to explore the game world thoroughly. The non-linear approach, backtracking mechanics, and various abilities to unlock were highlighted as key factors contributing to the game's replayability. While some critics mentioned potential drawbacks such as repetitive tasks and limited equipment variety, the majority of reviewers found the game's post-story content, challenges, and secrets to be engaging and rewarding. With a mix of positive feedback on the game's replay value from critics like Game Informer and Xbox Achievements, Yoku's Island Express seems to offer an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for players looking to delve deeper into its charming world beyond the main storyline.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Yoku's Island Express for its high replay value with side missions, collectibles, and secrets that keep players engaged. While some mention concerns about limited equipment variety and potential repetitiveness in tasks, overall, reviewers find the game's exploration, hidden elements, and non-linear gameplay enhance its replayability. With a mix of positive feedback, the game offers an enjoyable and rewarding experience beyond the main storyline.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple critics on Yoku's Island Express, it is evident that the game received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with the majority of critics praising its unique blend of pinball and Metroidvania elements. Critics such as PlaySense and Push Square highlighted the game's originality and enjoyable gameplay, with PlaySense mentioning that despite minor issues with the physics in the pinball sections, Yoku's Island Express offers a lot of content and value for its price. The game's charming art style, inventive puzzles, and smart design choices were lauded by Push Square, emphasizing that the game rarely frustrates and frequently delights players. On the negative side, some critics pointed out issues with navigation, backtracking, and lack of challenge in Yoku's Island Express. Let's Play Video Games mentioned that while the game has fantastic ideas and design, its lack of challenge undermines its potential. TrueAchievements noted that the open world can be confusing and hard to traverse, while TheSixthAxis mentioned precision requirements in gameplay and limitations of the fast-travel system as drawbacks. These criticisms suggest that while the game excels in many aspects, there are areas where it falls short in providing a fully satisfying experience for all players. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Yoku's Island Express for its innovative gameplay mechanics, delightful visuals, and charming soundtrack. Nintendo Insider described the game as a rare and special treat, while GameWatcher highlighted its fantastic gameplay and lovely presentation. The game's ability to seamlessly combine pinball and platforming elements into a playful and natural experience was commended by GameSpot. Despite some minor flaws and criticisms, the majority of critics found Yoku's Island Express to be a refreshing and unique gaming experience that stands out in the market. It is clear that the game's positive attributes far outweigh any negatives, making it a must-play for fans of indie games and those looking for a creative and enjoyable adventure.

TL;DR

Critics overwhelmingly praise Yoku's Island Express for its unique blend of pinball and Metroidvania elements, charming art style, inventive puzzles, and smart design choices. While some critics mentioned issues with navigation and lack of challenge, the majority found the game to be a refreshing and unique gaming experience with delightful visuals and a charming soundtrack. Overall, Yoku's Island Express is a must-play for fans of indie games seeking a creative and enjoyable adventure.

MONSTER

Reviews

107 reviews found

100

CGMagazine

Xbox One

May 29, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is highly praised as one of the best metroidvanias and the best pinball game the reviewer has ever played. It is described as polished, original, and charming.

100

AusGamers

Xbox One

Jun 1, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is described as a complete, competent, fun, and wonderfully balanced indie experience. The reviewer highly recommends it.

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100

DarkStation

Nintendo Switch

Jun 21, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is highly recommended and described as an absolute treat from top to bottom. It successfully combines pinball and platforming mechanics, making them both feel fresh and fun. The game's imagination and design are praised, leaving players wanting more.

Nintendojo

Nintendo Switch

Jul 6, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is an unusual and innovative game that combines pinball mechanics with Metroidvania gameplay. It offers a unique and fun package that shouldn't be missed. The problems with navigation and backtracking are minor and don't detract from the overall experience.

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GameSpot

Jun 5, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is a unique and refreshing journey that seamlessly combines two unlikely genres into a playful and natural experience.

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GameSpew

Xbox One

May 29, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is a joyous and charming game that combines pinball and metroidvania elements seamlessly. It offers a fun and accessible experience with a beautiful island to explore. The game's simplicity and cleverness make it enjoyable for anyone.

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PlayStation Country

PlayStation 4

May 30, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is a unique, impressive, and fun game that stands out in the Metroidvania genre.

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Switch Player

Nintendo Switch

May 29, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is a refreshingly unique gem that delivers class in every area, appealing to fans of pinball machines, metroidvania, and puzzle games.

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Xbox Tavern

Xbox One

May 29, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is an achievement in blending genres, offering a satisfying and captivating experience with minor traversal frustrations. A game that shouldn't be overlooked for its meaningful innovation and engaging gameplay.

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Vooks

Nintendo Switch

May 29, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Yoku's Island Express is a delightful adventure filled with charming characters, innovative gameplay mechanics, and a visually stunning world, making it a warm and wholesome experience for players.

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