60
The final boss battle and the resulting story wrap-up represent Yerba Buena overall. It has the potential to really push you to come up with novel solutions to the puzzles. The mechanics are truly inventive and can create some really inspired workarounds, but the overall design does more than just prevent them from shining; it actively holds them back at times. As if to replicate the game world, it ends up further hindered by its own glitches as well. One chapter of good puzzling isn't quite enough to redeem its faults, so I'm afraid it might end up like the settlement it takes its name from: wiped off the map in favour of something else.
65
It’s got its world-building down pat, but the developers forgot to make the world fun to play in at the same time.
50
Barb finds herself right inside a video game and has a fantastic device that allows her to change things around her and solve puzzles. But even that sometimes doesn't help her succeed.
Yerba Buena
Released On:
May 26, 2026
Metascore
Mixed or Average
65
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Available after 4 ratings
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
65
25% Positive
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
75% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
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May 25, 2026
80
Full of surprises and not afraid to throw you into the deep end, Yerba Buena is a delectably tricky linear puzzle narrative adventure masquerading as a colourful physics sandbox. Transferring properties wildly around a gamified 1970s San Francisco is tonnes of fun, with stylised environments adding life and colour to your puzzle playground. While the storytelling won’t be for everyone and there’s some imprecision in some of its mechanics, this game is a great little romp bursting with heart.
May 26, 2026
75
Yerba Buena is a flawed but fun puzzle platformer. The gun is fun to use, and while the puzzles in the latter half can get maddeningly difficult in levels that can start to feel like they run for too long, those puzzles can also feel satisfying to solve. The story can be a little bonkers at times, but it is compelling despite some issues that can mar the experience. With a solid presentation, Yerba Buena ends up being a fun experience for those craving a puzzle platformer that feels both different and familiar.
May 26, 2026
70
All in all, Yerba Buena is a rather unusual first-person puzzle game that will provide genre fans with plenty of “Yes, I did it!” moments over the course of ten to twelve hours, depending on their playstyle; however, it’s likely to give newcomers quite a headache due to a lack of sufficient accessibility options.
Jun 22, 2026
65
It’s got its world-building down pat, but the developers forgot to make the world fun to play in at the same time.
Jul 6, 2026
60
The final boss battle and the resulting story wrap-up represent Yerba Buena overall. It has the potential to really push you to come up with novel solutions to the puzzles. The mechanics are truly inventive and can create some really inspired workarounds, but the overall design does more than just prevent them from shining; it actively holds them back at times. As if to replicate the game world, it ends up further hindered by its own glitches as well. One chapter of good puzzling isn't quite enough to redeem its faults, so I'm afraid it might end up like the settlement it takes its name from: wiped off the map in favour of something else.
Jun 15, 2026
50
Barb finds herself right inside a video game and has a fantastic device that allows her to change things around her and solve puzzles. But even that sometimes doesn't help her succeed.
May 25, 2026
50
While the oscillator concept is innovative, the story is the game’s true standout. I was completely absorbed in the narrative and eager to discover what new twists would unfold after each completed level, but unfortunately the road to those moments often felt more like a chore than something I genuinely looked forward to. Some puzzles were enjoyable enough, yet the levels eventually started to feel repetitive, and more often than not I was simply relieved to be done with them; the name “Yerba Buena” is slightly misleading, as this herb is mediocre at best.
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SummaryDive into a surreal 1970s gameworld and save San Francisco from a sinister threat. Play as Barb, and use the Oscillator to capture and reapply the physical traits of objects to solve mind-bending environmental platforming puzzles.
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
Initial Release Date:May 26, 2026
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