„World’s First Yoyovania” Don’t miss this retro-inspired indie Metroidvania: Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

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You might have overlooked one of this week’s outstanding indie games – the self-proclaimed “yoyovania,” Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, from developer Pocket Trap, known for their sports RPG, Dodgeball Academia. This unanticipated gem is a retro-styled top-down action-adventure set in the grimy underworld of a vast city. Your yoyo serves as your primary weapon, offering long-range strikes to defeat enemies and a reach to pick up useful items.

Critics are raving about this indie game, with an 88 / 100 rating on both Metacritic and OpenCritic. As of now, there are only eleven reviews on Steam, but they’re all positive. Don’t miss out on this exceptional game.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo impressions: a creative and gorgeous fresh take on a retro genre

What immediately catches the eye about “Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo” is its stunning pixel art. Not only the intricately designed urban landscapes, but also the vibrant assortment of characters, both allies and adversaries. The main character, Pippit, proudly claims to be a “yo-yo master,” and his appearance perfectly embodies this self-proclaimed title. With his prized yoyo in hand and a long flowing red cape, it’s quite possible to confuse him for a masked crusader instead of a boastful youngster. With their treasured yo-yo always by their side and a dramatic red jacket billowing behind them, they could easily be mistaken for a shadowy hero rather than an arrogant child. Other notable aspects include the four main antagonists, each embodying a sector of the city’s industry that is discontent with the Pipistrello family’s monopoly on power, both literal and figurative.

In the game, things get interesting when Pippit pays a visit to his family home. There, four fierce competitors show up with the intent of breaking the Pipistrello family’s grip on power. They manage to imprison Pippit’s aunt’s spirit in four batteries, gaining limitless power. However, before they could fully execute their plan, Pippit manages to disrupt their yoyo, trapping a piece of his aunt’s spirit within it. Nearly meeting his end, Pippit is saved by his aunt and taken to a secure room that serves as the game’s central point. To undo this spell, you must confront each boss, reclaiming the batteries they possess.

Engaging in combat is surprisingly enjoyable from the very beginning. I wouldn’t have thought that developers could be so inventive using a yo-yo as the main weapon. The fundamental attack is dependable, and the thrill of executing something more intricate is fantastic. One of the early features you quickly learn to exploit is angled surfaces.
By bouncing the yo-yo off an angled surface, it ricochets around, reaching much farther than normal to strike groups of enemies simultaneously. As Pippit unlocks new tricks with the yo-yo as you advance, even the basic moves are clever, creative, and a joy to discover.

At first, when I saw the trailer, I found it hard to understand all the actions and movements that were displayed on the screen. However, the initial levels of the game are excellent at teaching you the basics. Since it is a yo-yo themed game, they don’t overwhelm you with tutorial text boxes. Instead, they present you with puzzles and combat encounters that gradually become more complex. This gives you the time and space to think things through and figure out the mechanics for yourself. By the end of the first level, I had a good understanding of the fundamental aspects of the game. If the trailer makes you think that the game is too complicated, don’t worry – it’s not as difficult as it seems once you get started.

I appreciate the early access to “Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo” from Pocket Trap. I’m excited to dive deeper into it in the upcoming days. I suggest using a controller instead of keyboard controls, and I believe it would fit perfectly on portable screens like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. Currently available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam, Xbox Store, and Epic Games Store. Until next week, you can get a 10% discount on “Pipistrello” across most platforms.

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2025-05-29 05:02