The latest trailer for Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair shows the way that the pair of characters can alter level states from the world map in order to change the way a level will play out once entered. You know, if you’re not trying to beat the game in one level.
For example by using an ability to freeze Nimbo, a friendly cloud that hangs out on the world map, it will change the behavior of the otherwise green Buzzsaw Falls. The falls are now frozen and it opens up new things to collect.
This is a mechanic that will be familiar to players of developer Playtonic’s last game, Yooka-Laylee. Once the first world, Tribalstack Tropics was opened up a bit, the player could encounter Nimbo high in the sky and use an elemental ability to effect the weather in the area and create new opportunities to get Pagies, the game’s version of Stars and Jiggies (SM64 & B/K).
Nimbo isn’t the only way to change the the state of levels in Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair though. The trailer shows how by exploring the world map, you can find switches that will flood an area, fix vents that will create a windy updraft, etc.
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair will be out later this year for PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC.
While some fans might be disappointed that Playtonic didn’t immediately go to follow up with another 3D platformer, it’s important to remember that members of this team also have roots in the acclaimed Donkey Kong Country series on the Super Nintendo, so fans should set their expectations high for this game as well.
