Review – Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

If there is something that has always fascinated me in video games, it is their ability to transform the worldly into extraordinary. , from Pocket Trap in partnership with PM Studios, does that exactly when taking a simple yo -yo, this toy that was once a fever in the 1990s schools and transforms into the heart of an adventure that has a lot of nostalgia and boldness. It is impossible not to be transported to the golden age of the Game Boy Advance in the first few minutes, but here, the tribute is just the starting point for an experience that is not afraid to risk and (spoiler) ends up getting a lot right.

With Brazilian seasoning, Pipistrello’s plot is an invitation to family chaos and social criticism, all with that shrewd mood that only a Brazilian studio could deliver. Pippit, the protagonist, is the typical antihero: spoiled, charismatic and owner of a self-esteem that borders on the unbearable, but which conquers precisely for that. His visit to his aunt’s mansion, Madame Pipistrello, turns upside down when a rival attack endangers the family’s energy monopoly. A megalaser extractor of souls imprisons his aunt’s soul in the Pippit yo -yo, forcing a partnership as unlikely as hilarious.

Family maracutias and corporate conspiracies

The script, stuffed with sour tirades and absurd situations, masterfully balances serious themes such as responsibility, maturity and power, without ever losing the light and mocking tone. The dialogues are sharp, the NPCs exude personality and each neighborhood of the city, the malls decaying to nerd conventions, through the dangerous sewers and crossing the complex avenues of the city, serve as both to expand the universe and to poke the corporate world’s maracutias.

But Pipistrello is not content to be just another metroidvania with cool history. The yo -yo is much more than a weapon, it is a parkour tool, a key to puzzles and especially an invitation to creativity. Inspired by classics such as The Legend of Zelda and Hollow Knight, the combat requires precision and timing, but it is in movement that the game shines. There are more than ten unlockable maneuvers that allow richeating the yo -wall, chain sequence attacks, and create alternative routes to reach secret areas. The “Yoyo a La Parkour” system makes each new skill transform the way you see the scenario, encouraging to revisit old areas and discover unpublished paths. And the game is not just about it, as it seeks to challenge you on how to think outside the box, offering multiple solutions to puzzles and obstacles, something rare in the genre. The feeling of freedom is palpable, making you really feel it is explying the city in your own way, without invisible rails guiding you.

Customization is also noteworthy, with over 40 collectible bottons, each significantly changing the style of play, Pipistrello allows you to adapt yoiô skills to your taste, either to focus on combat, exploration or even bolder strategies. Add to this the upgrade system purchased with a dubious loan shark and we have an extra risk and reward layer that adds tension and requires strategic decisions here. Hiring debts to get stronger powers can be tempting, but penalties such as life reduction ensure that each choice has real weight on your journey.

The concept of yoyovania, as the developers themselves are calling, is not just a fun pun, as it is the very essence of the game. Each new skill not only opens doors, but completely redefines the logic of challenges. The yo -yo becomes an extension of the pippit itself and the possibility of creating personalized routes reinforces the freedom of approach, with a rewarding sense of constant discovery. No matter if you are a veteran of metroidvanias or novice in the genre, Pipistrello is inviting to try, make mistakes, try again and especially have fun in the process.

The yo -ioiô as the creative extension of the player

Visually, the game is a delight for those who grew up in the 2000s, with a detailed, vibrant and life -filled pixel art, full of fluid animations and scenarios ranging from rusty pipes to neon signs that seem to jump off the screen. Each neighborhood has its own identity, reinforcing the feeling of a cohesive and pulsating world. The master’s touch is the boot screen that simulates a GBA cartridge, in a kind of affection to the nostalgic ones that, like me, spent hours blowing cartridges and hoping the save does not corrupt.

The soundtrack, with the participation of legendary Yoko Shimomura, is simply overwhelming. Shimomura, who has already presented us with iconic trails in Street Fighter II and Kingdom Hearts, delivers a chiptune explosion that packs every moment of adventure with striking melodies and arrangements that evolve according to the climate of each area. It is no exaggeration to say that music raises immersion to another level, after all the songs do not follow only the action, but dictate the rhythm of exploration, intensify the tension in the battles against bosses and celebrate their victories with triumphant themes. In Pipistrello, the trail is not a mere background, but also an active part of the experience, reacting to its actions and making each achievement even more tasty. The sound effects, from yo -yo to the lasers tinnitus, close the package with a golden key, reinforcing the identity of the game and making the city even more alive.

Narrative development is another highlight, with an evolution in history that closely follows the growth of Pippit. Beginning as a reluctant antihero who gradually assumes responsibilities, while faces the consequences of his choices. The curse of yo -yo, which could only be a pretext for adventure, gains layers as the protagonist unlocks new skills and faces the bosses of crime. Each learned trick reflects not only on gameplay, but also on the character’s maturation, which needs to deal with their own limitations and the troubled relationship with the family. The script is not afraid to address topics such as ambition, power and redemption, but always does it with lightness and good humor, avoiding melodrama and betting on absurd situations and spirits.

Almost like a perfect game, perhaps what can ward off part of the audience is the difficulty curve, as Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo does not save on flooding the enemies’ screen, including the world being a risk to your life. Not to mention that the system of progression through debts to get powerful upgrades, at first very tempting, can make penalties, such as life reduction, make the journey significantly more challenging. Casual players or those who prefer a more affordable experience may feel frustrated by bumping into obstacles that require mastery of constant strategic mechanics and decisions, but which ends up being part of the experience and requires the player to evolve, as well as the character.

A milestone in the indie Brazilian scenario

In the end, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a celebration of creativity, freedom of exploitation and passion for video games. It is not a game made to please everyone, because its difficulty can scare the most casual and retro aesthetics may not win those who lived in the Gold’s golden age, but for those who grew up blowing cartridges, getting lost in labyrinthine maps and being dazzled by unforgettable trails, it is a full plate. Pocket Trap has managed to deliver an adventure that honors the past while looking at the future of the genre, showing that there is still room for innovation, boldness and, for sure, genuine fun.

If you are looking for a metroidvania that thinks outside the box while you can make you laugh, play your emotional and still want to rescue your lost yo, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo is a mandatory game for the year 2025. Prepare to get lost, while having fun and is surprised by the discoveries, in a city full of secrets, unforgettable characters and challenges that only a real. Master of the yo -yo can overcome. This is proof that a childhood toy in the right hands can become the key to one of the most striking journeys of the year.