Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo review

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a delightful action-adventure that wears its Game Boy Advance inspiration on its sleeve. From the moment you boot up the game and are greeted by a lovingly rendered 3D model of the fictional “Game Trap” handheld, it’s clear that São Paulo-based Pocket Trap has a deep affection for classic handheld gaming. If future titles can match the sheer charm and creativity of Pipistrello, consider me a lifelong fan.

Once you insert the virtual cartridge, you step into the winged body of Pippit, a young bat with dreams of yoyo mastery. But when a group of villains targets his aunt, Madame Pipistrello, with a mega battery-powered beam, part of her soul becomes trapped inside Pippit’s magical yoyo. What follows is a heartfelt quest to restore his aunt, filled with humor, warmth, and more than a few  poignant moments. The story, which might sound simple on paper, is brought to life by sharp writing and memorable dialogue throughout the 15-to-20-hour campaign.

Your Yoyo is Your Superpower

Unsurprisingly, the yoyo is the star of the show, both as a weapon and as a tool for exploration. Early on, you’ll use it like a whip to dispatch enemies, but the game soon expands your arsenal. You’ll fling your yoyo to hit distant switches, snatch up items, and solve clever puzzles reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda’s best dungeons. The game’s angular surfaces let you ricochet your yoyo for inventive solutions, and a growing inventory of abilities ensures you’re always experimenting. Choosing which abilities to equip and how to approach each challenge is consistently rewarding and sometimes tricky.

Adding another layer, abilities can be acquired on loan rather than purchased outright, and you’ll often have to sacrifice health until you pay off their cost. It’s a risk-reward system that’s surprisingly addictive, making even the grind to repay your debts feel engaging rather than tedious.

Pipistrello’s world is a sprawling urban map, with boss battles and secrets tucked into almost every corner. The level design is intricate and enticing, packed with puzzles, collectibles, and challenges that make exploration a delight. Expectedly, each area builds toward memorable boss fights that demand mastery of your yoyo skills. Unlike many games where regular enemies are mere warm-ups for bosses, here every encounter keeps you on your tiny bat toes.

A Few Bumps in the Night

Despite its many strengths, Cursed Yoyo isn’t without its frustrations. The sheer number of yoyo abilities can occasionally lead to confusion, especially when the solution to a puzzle isn’t immediately clear. Sometimes, brute force and trial-and-error can seem like your only options before you remember a forgotten ability. And while most challenges are fair, a handful of platforming sections can feel punishing. Thankfully, the game includes robust accessibility options to help smooth out these difficulty spikes.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a standout action-adventure that blends handheld-era nostalgia with innovative gameplay. Boasting a captivating art style, engaging yoyo-based mechanics, and heartfelt writing, it’s a game that’s easy to recommend. While it occasionally stumbles, the overall experience is a rich, rewarding adventure—one that would have been right at home among the classics of the Game Boy Advance era.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.