Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo
Review
Walking the Dog
by JackCarter
reviewed on PC
Old school Metroidvania
Hello, weary reader. Let me ask you a question: are you fond of Metroidvanias? Do you long for the days of The Legend of Zelda before it went all 3D?
If you answered yes, then I have a game for you.
It's called Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-Yo and is an action adventure starring a young bat boy named Pipit (fittingly, "pipistrello" is Italian for bat) and his, you guessed it, cursed yo-yo. Now, this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill, bargain-bin cursed yo-yo you'd find at "Curses R' Us." No — this one happens to contain a fragment of Pipit's aunt’s soul. Your mission? Get her soul back together and, ideally, out of the yo-yo. How can you accomplish that? Well, with your mad yo-yo skills, of course!
Pipistrello's story is light and fun, and it sets things into motion quickly. Right from the beginning, you get a clear sense of who Pipit is - aloof, a little inconsiderate, and completely obsessed with his yo-yo. It is made clear that he comes from a crime family (or, as "crime family" as you can get in a cartoonish world), but he couldn't care less about the family business. He just wants to focus on his own weird little passions.
His aunt, the head of the family, is tough but motherly, the kind of character who tries to protect him when the guano hits the fan, so to speak. It's a fun dynamic, especially once she becomes Pipit's prized yo-yo. Unfortunately for his aunt, to get anything done around here, she's gonna get a little thrown around.
Tricks
Players will start with the basic yo-yo throw and return, good for damaging enemies and solving simple puzzles, but as the game progresses (and in true Zelda fashion), you unlock upgraded moves that make you feel like a true yo-yo master. You'll be grabbing objects, dragging yourself across gaps, zipping through hazards - you name it.
Don't think this makes the game easy, though. Even with a full arsenal of moves, there were moments when I was completely overwhelmed. Thankfully, the game is forgiving when it comes to failure. When you die, you respawn in the last room you entered, no harsh penalties, just try again. And trust me: you will try again. Over and over.
Luckily enough, or not, depending on how things go, you can acquire badges. After chatting with your cousin in your super-secret lair, you can equip these badges for special perks. But, much like in life, perks come with a price. Still, what's a few coins in exchange for an extra heart or the ability to see an enemy's remaining health? Seems like a fair deal... until it isn't.
Speaking of cousins, your other cousin, Pepita, handles contracts. These are permanent upgrades (unlike badges, which wear out over time), but the cost is steeper, and there's a catch. Every contract gives you something, but until you pay it off, it also takes something away. It could be one of Pipit's hearts, reduced attack power, or other debuffs. Oh, and you can't just grind some early coins and pay it off right away, Pepita doesn't accept "old money." She only wants it fresh, as in newly collected. This is easy enough at first, but it gets real pricey later on. It becomes a constant battle of give and take, but the payoff is worth it, and honestly, these upgrades start to feel essential in the later sections of the game.
Challenging
The levels themselves offer a challenging yet fair difficulty curve, constantly testing what you've learned. It's never too hard, more often, it feels like the solution is just within reach, if you try one more time. There are only four dungeons (in classic Zelda style), but each one is packed with character, clever design, and enough side content to make the game feel way bigger than it looks on paper.
My only real complaint? Navigating the hub world. I tend to play in short bursts (that's just how it goes once you have kids), and I often found myself lost when I came back - wandering part of the hub world, trying to remember where the next dungeon was. It's surprisingly large and has a lot of branching routes, and I ended up walking in circles more than once. Still, it's a minor grievance in a game that is otherwise impressively well-balanced.
Pipistrello and The Cursed Yo-Yo is a must-play for anyone who loves Metroidvanias or classic Zelda-style adventures. It's full of heart, brimming with quirk, and clearly made with love. The visuals are gorgeous, the world is rich, and every mechanic feels thoughtfully crafted. It's absolutely time well spent.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find where I stashed my old yo-yo.
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9.0
fun score
Pros
Level design, difficulty spike, charming world and characters, fun gameplay
Cons
Somewhat confusing hub world layout
