Yoku's Island Express Review

I’ve always enjoyed games that take multiple, well-established genres and merge them to create something that feels new. Yoku’s Island Express does this by taking pinball mechanics and blending them together with platforming and exploration. The result is unlike anything else I have ever played, although, it isn’t without its shortcomings.

In Yoku’s Island Express players take over as the new postmaster on Mokumana Island, an idyllic paradise filled with an arrangement of different fauna and flora. Through exploring the island and working with its inhabitants, players must find out who attacked the ancient island god. Taking control of Yoku, players must traverse the island in order to unravel the mystery and save the inhabitants of the island. Yoku travels to a number of different locations, all with different geographical settings and characters to meet.

Exploration is a key focus of Yoku’s Island, with players being encouraged to explore every last nook and cranny of the game world. There are objectives that players must follow, but there are also a number of collectibles that improve Yoku’s fruit storage, as well as a number of objects that reveal the island’s history.

Progression through the narrative also unlocks new abilities that Yoku can use to access previously locked areas. This works well with the emphasis on exploration as it encourages players to visit previously completed areas in a bid to find hidden collectibles.

Yoku’s Island has one of the most charming art styles I’ve seen in a long time. Sitting somewhere between a flagship Nintendo title and a watercolor painting, it is one of the most visually striking titles to release this year. Characters are unique, environments are colourful and the entire game just oozes character.

The development team deserve special praise for the excellent job they’ve done of accentuating the differences between each area. Every new location in Yoku’s Island feels distinct, unique and full of life. The lush vegetation of Gorilla Valley pops vibrantly, while the crisp snow of Ivory Peaks crumples under Yoku’s ball. Every element of the visual design has been crafted perfectly, which is why it’s one of the most visually memorable games I’ve played in recent years.

Unfortunately, Yoku’s Island Express isn’t without its faults. The focus on exploration can sometimes be detrimental to the overall experience. There were a few occasions where I found myself completely lost, unsure as to how I should progress. Rather than having to aimlessly wander around, hoping to find the right path in order to progress, I feel some clearer objectives would have helped. It didn’t ever stop me playing the title, but I did find myself growing increasingly frustrated on a number of occasions.

The somewhat random nature of pinball mechanics can also make progression a little slow at times. It might just be that I’m incredibly impatient, and a fairly dreadful pinball player, but it can sometimes prove quite difficult to find the kind of precision the game expects. This is especially noticeable when Yoku must hit one specific objective during a pinball section. It can sometimes take quite a few tries to progress, which can be be especially frustrating when game expects you to perform a series of very intricate actions.

With only a few small niggles to complain about, Yoku’s Island Express successfully merges pinball and platforming without ever making the former feel like a gimmick. Its beautiful presentation and fun, engaging exploration blend together to create a truly unique experience.