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Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

PCPlayStationXboxNintendo
Released

Release Date: May 28, 2025

Action, Platformers, 2D, Metroidvania, Top-down, Indie Games, Singleplayer

A metroidvania (the creators call it a "yoyovania"), played as an action game with platform elements. The protagonist in Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo can use the titular yoyo - it can be helpful during exploration to reach harder to get places, as well as during dynamic combat.

8.9

OpenCritic

10

Steam

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Ratings
[1:44] - Launch Trailer Videos: 2
Screenshot Images: 9
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a metroidvania (due to the "weapon" that we use during the game, it is referred to by the creators as "yoyovania"), realized in the form of an action game with platform elements. The game was developed by Pocket Trap, an independent development studio from Brazil, which has the project Dodgeball Academia in its portfolio.

Gameplay

In Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, we watch the events from a bird's eye view.

Adventure with a yoyo in hand

The adventure leads us through a city divided into districts (commercial, industrial, sports and cultural), each of which is guarded by a powerful boss.

While traversing this metropolis, we constantly use our yoyo, which is essential both during exploration (we can solve environmental puzzles and reach hard-to-reach places), and during fights with opponents, with whom we engage in dynamic skirmishes.

Character development

As we progress, we develop the character, mastering successive yoyo arts and special moves. Thanks to them, over time we gain access to new locations (which makes it worth returning to already visited districts, as they may hide secrets undiscovered by us), and we can also face increasingly powerful enemies.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 4

Xbox One

Xbox One

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S

Developer: Pocket Trap

Publisher: PM Studios

News

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

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

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo wears its retro inspirations on its sleeve. It's a top-down „yoyovania” with gorgeous pixel art and truly clever use of yo-yos.

video games

Matt Buckley

May 28, 2025

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

System Requirements

System Requirements for Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-6500 / AMD A10-5800K, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 650 / Radeon HD 7510, 800 MB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Video Game.

8.9

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 99% of Critics. There are 38 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

SmashPad: 4 / 5 by Danreb Victorio

From an unexpectedly profound plot to its familiar yet modern take on old-school game that both borrows from other greats in addition to bringing cool ideas, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is definitely easy to recommend to anyone who wants something different from top-down games. If Pocket Trap isn’t on your list of indie studios to watch now, it definitely should be.

Full Review

Retrolike.net: 9 / 10 by Danny Neleman

With its clever yoyo mechanics, densely packed map, sharp writing and generous accessibility options, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo easily stands out as one of the best modern entries in the top down 2D action adventure genre.

Full Review

Noisy Pixel: 9 / 10 by Azario Lopez

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo delivers a clever, challenging Metroidvania adventure with inventive mechanics, retro visuals, and a surprisingly nuanced narrative, making it a standout indie gem from Pocket Trap.

Full Review
100%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Positive (30)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Charming Aesthetic: The game features beautiful pixel art and a nostalgic Game Boy Advance (GBA) style, which many players find appealing.
  • Engaging Gameplay: Players praise the tight controls, satisfying movement mechanics, and the innovative use of yoyo tricks for both combat and puzzle-solving.
  • Exploration and Level Design: The game encourages exploration with a sprawling urban environment filled with secrets, collectibles, and cleverly designed puzzles.
  • Soundtrack and Audio: The music is described as catchy and reminiscent of GBA games, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Customizable Difficulty: Players appreciate the various difficulty settings that allow them to tailor the challenge to their liking, making the game accessible to a wider audience.
  • Unique Upgrade System: The debt-based upgrade system adds a layer of strategy, encouraging players to manage their resources carefully while providing meaningful progression.

The main cons of the game

  • Combat Limitations: Some players feel that the combat is clunky and lacks depth compared to the movement mechanics, with issues related to responsiveness and enemy design.
  • Difficulty Curve: The game can be challenging, especially at the beginning, which may deter casual players. Some reviewers noted that the combat can feel unfair or overly punishing.
  • Ending and Final Areas: A few users expressed disappointment with the game's ending and the final area, feeling that they were rushed or less engaging compared to earlier parts of the game.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • More Varied Soundtrack: Some players wished for a more diverse soundtrack, as certain tracks can become repetitive during long play sessions.
  • Combat Enhancements: Suggestions for improvements included adding more combat mechanics, such as dodging or parrying, to make battles feel more dynamic.
  • Additional Checkpoints: A few players felt that more checkpoints during difficult encounters would enhance the experience, particularly in the later stages of the game.

Summary

  • Overall, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is celebrated for its charm, engaging gameplay, and nostalgic design, despite some criticisms regarding combat and difficulty. It stands out as a love letter to classic GBA games while offering a fresh experience for modern players.

Summary generated on:

OSZAR »