New Yooka-Laylee Info, Characters, Screenshots
Playtonic Games is composed of former Rare members and is determined to bring back the glory days of their former employer with Yooka-Laylee, the crowdfunded spiritual sequel to Banjo-Kazooie. Today Playtonic sent its Kickstarter backers an update on their progress….a small update, but one with enough substantial information. They promise a lot more at E3!
First off, we have our first peek at the villain of the game: monopolistic businessman Capital B, a giant corrupt bee in a suit that’s scheming to “absorb all of the world’s literature… and convert them into pure profit.” This explains the magical items you collect being sheets of literature called Pagies. “The dexterous pair will seek to unlock the ancient secrets of these bewitching books, as they battle to thwart corporate creep Capital B and his devious scheme,” says Playtonic.
They also mention a scientist named Dr. Puzz and her co-worker Dr. Quack. No photo was provided of either, but Puzz (who is implied to be an octopus) quit the company that Capital B took over and will serve as your Mumbo Jumbo, providing Yooka and Laylee with various transformations that will help them conquer each world. Her former assistant is an “ruthless, exosuit-wearing fowl” and if I had to guess, he’s going to be a lot like Klungo.
We also have our first photo of the Toybox, the special area that backers above a certain tier will get to play in prior to the release of the game. Playtonic assures us that the area is spoiler-free. “There are plenty moves to try, custom-built props to play with, secrets to discover and yes, shiny collectibles to hunt out.” No release date was mentioned for the Toybox except “a number of weeks’ time.”
Yooka-Laylee is looking good, and just the colorful happy medicine a gaming industry that takes itself way too seriously needs. E3 can’t come soon enough!