While most people will tend to have a pretty specific style of play in mind when the word metroidvania is used, there have been some more creative applications of the concept in this generation. Sure, the majority are played in a side-scrolling fashion with an elaborate map, usually a fair amount of combat, some puzzles, various upgrades, and backtracking. What I have enjoyed have been the few indie titles that have played with that formula, with Yoku’s Island Express easily coming to mind given that it was a pinball-based metroidvania adventure. Now, with Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, we have another example of a title that uses some of the common elements of the genre, but takes its own path in some cases as well.

Billed as the gaming world’s first Yoyovania, the first thing you’ll notice is that the game is played from an isometric perspective, immediately deviating from the formula, but with good reason. Since your primary weapon and go-to tool throughout is your yoyo, though it will continue to take on different abilities, this perspective suits its use in both combat and puzzle solving. In particular, I like how you’re able to get it to ricochet off of walls to both get into areas you can’t reach or to allow you to take out enemies from a sneakier angle. The ability to throw your yoyo is also an early critical skill, the first of quite a few, that will continue to add critical skills you’ll need in order to tackle everything the game throws at you.

One thing I’ll give the game credit for is that it doesn’t take it easy on you. In order to continue on you’ll have to demonstrate some solid jumping skills, smart use of the tools you have at your disposal, and an ability to be patient since some puzzles will require a mix of planning and skill to pull off. If you’re on the less skilled end of the gaming totem pole that may make this a little too much of a challenge, but that isn’t to imply the game is overly tough… it can just be demanding in some areas. However, if you’d like to enjoy something that deviates quite a bit from the norm, offering up metroidvania play that can sometimes look more like a beat-em-up with its overall look, this is a great choice!