Yoku’s Island Express (Xbox One) Review

From the very beginning, it's clear that Yoku's Island Express is unlike anything else out there. Combining the wildly different genres of metroidvania and pinball, this manages to carve out a surprisingly appealing niche. As the dung beetle Yoku, players explore the island, make some friends, and gather copious amounts of fruit. The locally-grown sweets are used to unlock numerous springs throughout Mokumana, offering access to new areas. Also, acquiring certain items and allies will allow the postmaster to swim, destroy path-clogging walls, and even swing from carnivorous plants. The willingness to explore and consider every possible option is a necessity in order to uncover all of the deviously hidden collectibles.

Now, for fans of metroidvania, that's all well and good, but how exactly does pinball fit into this equation? It all starts with the island itself. A relatively small portion of game-time is spent walking towards the next destination. In fact, most areas are connected by tubes or ramps, and Yoku is propelled through them by bumpers that are placed everywhere. On several occasions, players will also have to help the beetle navigate tables, and they are appropriately filled with an array of drop-targets and kick-out-holes. The flippers are controlled via the left and right triggers. As would be expected from classic pinball, a basic grasp of aim and momentum is necessary in order to progress. Even for those who aren't familiar with the terminology or even the game itself, it doesn't take more than a few seconds to understand what to do next.

Just to be clear, the approach that Yoku's Island Express takes is one not often found in videogames, and it's not just about the genre mash-up. Unlike almost everything else out there, this title embraces a mind-set that knows only peace and tranquillity. There are moments of danger and even sadness, but neither Yoku's livelihood, nor life, is ever actually threatened. In other words, there's no need to worry about losing lives, getting a game over, or somehow rendering the game unfinishable. Given enough time and patience, success is guaranteed. Although there are times where the ball can fall in-between flippers and land in a bed of thorns, the only things that are lost are a couple fruit.

Admittedly, this discovery comes as a bit of a shock. Something where the entire point is to relax? What a novel concept! There will be many times throughout where people will be waiting, possibly even hoping, for the other shoe to drop. Maybe there's a bad ending, or some condition that locks folk out of certain areas? Perhaps there's even a secret method to achieve a game over, one that requires constant and deliberate mistakes? Shockingly enough, there are none, absolutely none at all. There's no reason to get stressed out. Just go at a pace that feels comfortable and take in the lovely sights and sounds.

It's strange, yet this concept called "fun." Years have been spent dodging hundreds of billions of bullets in shmups, dying over and over again in roguelikes, and generally being put through a grinder of extreme circumstances. All this time, it was believed that fun could only be found by hanging precariously over the edge, as hundreds of fighter-jets and alien warships swarmed in. Overcoming the impossible; that's what makes people feel alive, right? Well, so does living. There's a surprising amount of fun to be had listlessly exploring an island and doing good deeds. Some won't realise it at first, but they will be glad they had the chance to reach that stage.

The point is that this is a palate cleanser; it's an escape from the harsh virtual reality. To put it another way, it's a videogame for people who are tired of videogames. There are moments that err on the side of frustration, but nothing remotely approaching strenuous. The penalties for failure are practically non-existent. Also, just so that there isn't any confusion, this is thoroughly competent in its design and mechanics. Not once will anyone ever feel cheated by some nonsensical design-decision, nor will Yoku's ball ever fly wildly off course and get stuck in a wall.