Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Review

1 day ago 9

Packing pixels and a pocket yoyo, Pocket Trap and PM Studios are bringing the tricks with their new 2D top-down adventure Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo.

Should players seek mastery of this stringed wonder, or does it get tangled up in the strings?

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Review

Taking cues from the glory days of the Game Boy Advance (remember when?), Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo keeps things 2D and top-down as it transports players to the vibrant New Jolt City.

Taking control of yoyo champion Pippit, players will have to forego their lackadaisical lives as they set out to collect four Mega-Batteries, pay honor to the Pipistrello name, and deliver some sweet, sweet justice.

Thankfully, Pippt has the right tool for the job: his handy-dandy (cursed) yo-yo!

Packing the soul energy from his mogul aunt Madame Pipistrello, Pippit is able to perform feats of fancy as he makes his way around town.

While players can only do the most basic of stunts starting out, Pippit can soon learn skills that will let this bat wonder walk the dog, perform multi-strikes, and other feats of fancy. There are also a number of badges one can equip, and players can enter Contracts to move even further beyond – albeit at a high price.

As a result, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo channels the best adventures of old. While Pippit is his own beast, he does channel some of the same beats as those found in the hallowed The Legend of Zelda series. Hearts, coinage, upgrades, and plenty of upgradeable items are present and accounted for, striking a nice groove between old and new.

Don’t be fooled, however; Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is its own unique beast (er, bat). While players will still be seeking out batteries to unlock sections (sound familiar?), this title places an emphasis on combat and style.

And boy oh boy, does Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo have plenty to go around. There are many moments where players will be locked in with foes, forcing players to lock in and figure out the best way to perform some crowd control.

While it might feel unfair at first, parrying a bullet, launcing a yoyo, and then keeping the rest of the enemies at bay never gets old. Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo packs a high skill ceiling just waiting to be mastered, and we love this title for it!

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo’s hunt for the four Mega-Batteries also packs a number of secrets just waiting to be discovered. Its world is ripe for exploration, packed with love and care.

If anything, this title eggs you on, making you wonder what’s beyond that body of water or traffic jam. No need to get frustrated, however; players can always hail a taxi (again, for a price), or consult the overworld map.

Packing tricks and treats in equal measure, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo will no doubt be the talk around New Jolt City with its new school old school cool.

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo Review

Reviewed On: PC (A digital code was provided)
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
Developer: Pocket Trap
Publisher: PM Studios
Aggregate Scores: Metacritic, OpenCritic

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