Team17 is a strange bunch, but in the most lovable way. These indie stars have created some wonderful titles that have found surprising success in modern gaming. Many know the name from the Overcooked franchise, but with the help of developers Playtonic Games, these folks are bringing something new to the table.
This new project is the long-awaited sequel to the retro-revival that was Yooka-Laylee. We’re finally getting some more news on the progress of Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair. This new game takes the artistry, nostalgia and unique feel of the original game and tosses in some new gameplay elements to further refine the experience.
The game features a multitude of platforming levels, but there’s actually many more than you might think at first glance. This is because a variety of these levels possess alternate states that completely change the gameplay. Players begin their journey in a 3D overworld, before jumping headfirst into 2D levels, more than 20 of them, each with their own challenges and hidden secrets.
Though the real challenge kicks off when these levels are transformed, by both altering the overall layout and mixing in 3D elements. In one example shown in the new trailer, the Gasping Glade, we go from rescuing a Royal Beettalion Guard to being submerged in a flooded version of the same trek. This also completely morphs the visuals of the map too.
This layer of agency allows players to both hunt for new secrets that require level alterations to uncover, but also massively increases the amount of time players can spend with the game. This technique allows Team17 and Playtonic to balloon the level count to 40 maps.
The game is currently slated for a release date near the end of 2019. The platformer is due for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows and Xbox One.
