84
Yoku's Island Express proves that platforms, and even metroidvanias, can find new ways adding unusual elements to the gameplay with strange and unique mix of characteristics. In this case, the strange blend of platform, adventure and flipper results in an amazing design.
85
With only a few small niggles to complain about, Yoku’s Island Express successfully merges pinball and platforming without ever making the former feel like a gimmick. Its beautiful presentation and fun, engaging exploration blend together to create a truly unique experience.
85
Yoku's Island Express is a game that you'll encourage others to check out the minute you start playing. Aside from the gorgeous aesthetics, the use of pinball mechanics is inspired, and the execution of the mechanics is done well. It's a relatively short experience, but it feels packed with tons of side-quests if you can deal with the backtracking seeming to go on a little longer than usual due to the pinball mechanics. Overall, Yoku's Island Express is a brilliant game that adventure fans need.
0
Cannot rebind the keyboard. This is unacceptable in this time and age. No rebinding is unacceptable.
8
Yoku's Island Express is a unique take on the metroidvania genre, with pinball mechanics mixed into all parts of the world. The game is fairly short and you can beat it in about 6 hours. It goes often for sale on steam for just 4€, and for that price it is definitely worth it. I highly recommend this to fans of metroidvanias and pinball.
10
Easily the best pinball/Metroid hybrid I've ever played. There are tons of secrets to discover for the completionists out there.
Yoku's Island Express
Released On:
May 29, 2018
Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
My Score
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
83
87% Positive
26 Reviews
26 Reviews
13% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jun 1, 2018
100
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more complete, competent, fun and wonderfully balanced Indie experience. We all love the God of Wars and Battlefield Vs of the world, but I’d take 10 more Yoku’s Island Expresss every day of the week. And absolutely perfect gaming experience.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
68% Positive
62 Ratings
62 Ratings
23% Mixed
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
9% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Sep 20, 2023
10
Easily the best pinball/Metroid hybrid I've ever played. There are tons of secrets to discover for the completionists out there.
Jul 18, 2024
10
this game is freackin incredible
pinning balls forever I Love this game
But the title **** balls<3
Jun 27, 2018
85
Yoku’s Island Express is a cheery, bright, frictionless experience that adds much-needed twists to an established formula and despite my hesitance for pinball, it sold me on a kind of gameplay that I never knew I wanted.
Jun 23, 2018
80
A beautiful, summery game with furiously fun puzzles that adults and kids will love. [July 2018, p.88]
May 29, 2018
80
Villa Gorilla mixes genres and manages to deliver a great game that brings huge doses of fun and entertainment. Yoku’s Island Express is a true experience that should be played.
May 29, 2018
80
One part Metroidvania, one part pinball game, Yoku’s Island Express is a beautiful mashup that just shouldn’t work. But it does, and as a result, it’s just wonderful.
May 29, 2018
70
Yoku’s Island Express is a beauteous, aurally delightful treat that riffs off the Metroidvania template and pinball tables in a smart and playful manner. It’s somewhat tempered by the dual frustrations of the pinball mechanic’s need for constant precision and a lacklustre fast-travel system that leaves you having to cover the same ground over and over, ultimately taking what could have been an amazing game, and making it a good one.
Sep 24, 2021
10
One of the greatest platform adventure game since Dizzy! With brilliant, innovative game mechanics.
Good Job!
Jan 30, 2024
7
Charming, fun little Metroidvania with a great art style and a very unique concept. Finale was kind of a letdown, though. I suspect that there's a real ending locked behind getting all wickerlings or whatever they called, but getting around the map is kind of a pain in the a**, so I don't really feel motivated to do that. Also, the pinball parts can get a little frustrating when you have to make shots with pinpoint accuracy in order to progress and have to shoot from the right nanometer on the bumper to do that.
Sep 26, 2024
6
I played this game for 3 hours (30% progress) but it gets repetitive because you end up repeating things when you are looking for a way to keep going. I think it's best just to play the first 1-2 hours.
May 19, 2023
1
Garbage pinball game that isn't any different to any other pinball game devil crush wannabee
May 17, 2026
0
Cannot rebind the keyboard. This is unacceptable in this time and age. No rebinding is unacceptable.
SummaryYoku’s Island Express is an open world/metroidvania-style pinball adventure, Seamlessly blending platform navigation with pinball mechanics across a large open world.
Rated E +10for Everyone +10
