Release Date: May 28, 2025
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.
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.
In Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, we watch the events from a bird's eye view.
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.
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.
In addition, there are badges which influence the gameplay in various ways, passive upgrades sold by a suspicious usurer, and a number of other collectible items.
The main character of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a self-proclaimed yoyo master named Pippit, who returns to his hometown once a year. During one of such visits, it turns out that his influential family has fallen victim to a conspiracy aimed at dethroning his aunt (Madame Pipistrello) and taking over the electric energy source she controls. The protagonist has no choice but to go and rescue his relative.
The graphic design of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo was made using pixel art technique.
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Pocket Trap
Publisher: PM Studios
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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
System Requirements for Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Video Game:
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.
Game Ratings for Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Video Game.
Expansive: 4 / 5 by Cait Lee
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is one of the smartest, most original pixel themed metroidvanias in years with some great ideas around badge and permanent upgrades, as well as open sandbox traversal through a beautiful city. It’s wonderfully presented, vibrant, and effortlessly enjoyable despite its challenging battles and occassional backtracking. Dont let this indie slip away and out of mind.
Checkpoint Gaming: 7 / 10 by Douglas Rintoul
While the core gameplay loop of Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo feels dated, there's a lot to enjoy in the retro-inspired experience that Pocket Trap have crafted. The level design and puzzles, badge and upgrade system, and art design make it worth a look if you're craving an old-school adventure. There's a great game in here, but it's sometimes held back from shining through.
Digital Chumps: 9.5 / 10 by Will Silberman
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a marvel of a little game that wins at being a "yoyovania." The yoyo combat and progression are superb, its level design utilizing novel traversal elements without repetitious fluff, and its charm is off the charts. It's no walk in the park, but it's worth the payoff if you want a game that is a nostalgia bomb of classic Zelda fused with a yoyo thematic.
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![[1:44] - Launch Trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/1301430828.jpg)
