History YMMV / YookaLaylee

* NightmareFuel: Take a look at [[https://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/project-ukulele/images/a/ad/Vendi_Transparent.png Vendi]] here and try to honestly say she's not real creepy-looking. At least she's friendly.

* EightPointEight: Early reviews were decidedly mixed-to-positive (with Metacritic scores ranging from the high [=60s=] to the low [=70s=]), but [[WebVideo/{{Jimquisition}} Jim Sterling's]] highly negative 2/10 score stood out as being the most divisive among fans looking forward to the game; even some readers who agreed with his criticisms felt that his score was too low for a game that was still complete and functional.

** The Pagie from Gloomy Gem Grotto from Glitterglaze Glacier can be very difficult for some players, since you need to navigate a fairly long obstacle course mostly in ball form, and if you fall you have to start over from the beginning. You also need to eat fireflies to keep the immediate area illuminated, so you need to get between fireflies pretty quickly.

* OvershadowedByControversy: It's very difficult to mention anything about the game without bringing up Playtonic's decision to remove Jontron from the voice cast after the web show host got involved in a political scandal not too long before the game's release. If it's not that, then expect conversations to either be about the game's mixed reviews or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the mere]] [[FandomRivalry existence of]] ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''.

* OvershadowedByControversy: It's very difficult to mention anything about the game without Playtonic's decision to remove Jontron, the game's mixed reviews, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the mere]] [[FandomRivalry existence of]] VideoGame/AHatInTime eventually getting brought up.

* PortingDisaster: Playtonic only worked on the PC and Switch versions of the game, while the Xbox One and Playstation 4 ports were handled by [=Team17=]. As a result, the Xbox and Playstation ports were marred by performance issues and inconsistent framerates that were not present in the PC and Switch versions. Playtonic has announced plans to release patches to fix these problems.

** The player base has unfortunately been much the same as the reviewers. You either love the game for being a true successor to ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' and even considered it better in some aspects, or hate it for being a lackluster game that feels like a cheap version of ''Banjo-Kazooie'' with none of the charm. There is remarkably little to no middle ground. This only got worse when ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' got released to much more positive critical reception, causing the latter group of the playerbase to move on to what they felt was the better game

** The player base has unfortunately been much the same as the reviewers. You either love the game for being a true successor to ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' and even considered it better in some aspects, or hate it for being a lackluster game that feels like a cheap version of ''Banjo-Kazooie'' with none of the charm. There is remarkably little to no middle ground. This only got worse when ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' got released to much more positive (and much less mixed) critical reception, causing the latter group of the player base to almost immediately flock over to its fandom practically out of pure spite, turning what could have been a nice example of FriendlyFandoms due to the various similarities between the two games (mainly the fact that they were both inspired by N64-era "collectathon" 3D platformers and were funded by Kickstarter) into a rather ugly example of FandomRivalry instead...

** A not-so-minor (and rather unfortunate) one has also formed with the fanbase of ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''. With all the similarities they have (They're both Kickstarter funded "Collectathon" 3D Platformers inspired by N64 titles like ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Super Mario 64'', they both, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen at one point in their development]], contained a cameo from [=JonTron=], etc.) you'd think they'd be FriendlyFandoms, right? Well, thanks to the aforementioned BrokenBase surrounding ''Yooka's'' critical and player base reception along with the fact that ''Hat'' decided to keep their cameo of Jon [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment despite the risk of controversy]] while ''Yooka's'' was cut out [[MortonsFork because of the risk of controversy]], people are torn over which of the two is "better" or indeed, whether or not ''Yooka'' can even be considered "good" with those who [[TakeAThirdOption enjoy both]] regardless of whichever one they like more being practically drowned out...

** A not-so-minor (and rather unfortunate) one has also formed with the fanbase of ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''. With all the similarities they have (They're both Kickstarter funded "Collectathon" 3D Platformers inspired by N64 titles like ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Super Mario 64'', they both, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen at one point in their development]], contained a cameo from [=JonTron=], etc.) you'd think they'd be FriendlyFandoms, right? Well, thanks to the aforementioned BrokenBase surrounding ''Yooka's'' critical and player base reception along with the fact that ''Hat'' decided to keep their cameo of Jon [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment despite the risk of controversy]] while ''Yooka's'' was cut out [[MortonsFork because of the risk of controversy]], people are torn over which of the two is "better"...

** A later update introduced a new song, [[https://soundcloud.com/playtonic/glacier-world-working-title-work-in-progress Glacier World]]. It's a charming little piece that's evocative of several ice level themes from the ''Banjo-Kazooie'' games.

** The player base has unfortunately been much the same as the reviewers. You either love the game for being a true successor to ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and even considered it better in some aspects, or hate it for being a lackluster game that feels like a cheap version of ''Banjo-Kazooie'' with none of the charm. There is remarkably little to no middle ground. This only got worse when ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' got released to much more positive (and much less mixed) critical reception, causing the latter group of the player base to almost immediately flock over to its fandom practically out of pure spite, turning what could have been a nice example of FriendlyFandoms due to the various similarities between the two games (mainly the fact that they were both inspired by N64-era "collectathon" 3D platformers and were funded by Kickstarter) into a rather ugly example of FandomRivalry instead...

* FandomRivalry: Bit of a minor one with Banjo-Kazooie. While they're mostly FriendlyFandoms as this is the SpiritualSuccessor to that franchise, a portion of the Banjo-Kazooie fanbase is rather annoyed/disheartened that this game more or less means "R.I.P. ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie''".

* GameBreaker: One of the late-game abilities is the ability to ''fly'', and, unlike VideoGame/BanjoKazooie, you can activate it at ''any point and anytime''. Naturally, this allows many platforming sequences to be outright skipped, making quite a few Pagies in earlier worlds, that were designed to be obtainable without the ability, nigh effortless for the player to go back and get if they haven't already. The few challenges in earlier worlds that require the ability become something of a GuideDangIt by extension just because of how unexpected it is -- like getting to the top of the temple in Tribalstack Tropics.

* MisaimedFandom: Both coming and going with fans and critics regarding the game's retro nature, "warts and all". While the game is decidedly throwback in its sensibilities (and some of the perceived problems ''do'' come down to a matter of taste), many of its fundamental design problems, especially regarding player instruction and internal logic, would have been noticed and criticized even in the 90s, and are not present in all (or even most) games from that era, including the original Banjo games.

** Less often mentioned (and usually only by fans/critics with game development experience), Yooka-Laylee's single-purpose items and abilities (as opposed to the more modern sensibility of supporting EmergentGameplay). While a staple of older platformers and adventure games, Yooka-Laylee is ambitious in its scope and sloppy in its metaphoric framing, which can result in challenges where a logical-but-unintended solution fails simply because the designers didn't think to code in that interaction. Most egregiously: in the second world there's an ice cube within (challenging but absolutely doable) access to a flamethrower powerup, but because that wasn't the intended solution, the ice cube does not respond to the player's fiery breath at all.

* DarthWiki/MostAnnoyingSound: The voice-clips are viewed by some players as being more annoying, especially since [[ScrappyMechanic you can't fast forward the same way you did in the originals.]]

* MostAnnoyingSound: The voice-clips are viewed by some players as being more annoying, especially since [[ScrappyMechanic you can't fast forward the same way you did in the originals.]]

* EarWorm: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSzJj1c1z0 The Yooka-Laylee Rap]], a catchy, deliberately [[SoBadItsGood cheesy as Limburger]] homage to the [[VideoGame/DonkeyKong64 DK Rap.]]

FunnyAneurysmMoment: The game is packed with jokes about game development, or modern trends in the industry, and even lampoons its own Kickstarter campaign at one point. Given the game's mixed reaction, it can come off rather awkward.
** Despite the game bashing ''Nuts and Bolts'' a lot, it falls into a big trap that game did and was one of the reasons why it became a vehicle game: the worlds are way too big. This is problematic because the amount of collectables don't fit the level sizes.

* HarsherInHindsight: The game is packed with jokes about game development, or modern trends in the industry, and even lampoons its own Kickstarter campaign at one point. Given the game's mixed reaction, it can come off rather awkward.
** Despite the game bashing ''Nuts and Bolts'' a lot, it falls into a big trap that game did and was one of the reasons why it became a vehicle game: the worlds are way too big. This is problematic because the amount of collectables don't fit the level sizes.

* MisaimedFandom: Both coming and going with fans and critics regarding the game's retro nature, "warts and all". While the game is decidedly throwback in its sensibilities (and some of the perceived problems ''do'' come down to a matter of taste), many of its fundamental design problems, especially regarding player instruction and internal logic, would have been noticed and criticized even in the 90's, and are not present in all (or even most) games from that era, including the original Banjo games.

** Less often mentioned (and usually only by fans/critics with game development experience), Yooka-Laylee's single-purpose items and abilities (as opposed to the more modern sensibility of supporting EmergentGameplay). While a staple of older platformers and adventure games, Yooka-Laylee is ambitious in its scope and sloppy in its execution and metaphoric framing, which can result in challenges where a logical-but-unintended solution fails simply because the designers didn't think to code in that interaction. Most egregiously: in the second world there's an ice cube within (challenging but absolutely doable) access to a flamethrower powerup, but because that wasn't the intended solution, the ice cube does not respond to the player's fiery breath at all.

* InternetBackdraft:
** Playtonic's decision to cancel the Wii U port of the game met with some heavy pushback from some of the Kickstarter backers. What probably ticked them off the most was that Playtonic had claimed that the Wii U was in fact the game's lead platform and that they were developing it themselves as a labor of love, and gave no indication of any problems with the port prior to its sudden cancellation, which made many people suspicious as to the motives behind the cancellation. This got worse when the news came out that backers who opt in for the Switch version will '''not''' be eligible for a physical copy (even if the amount they pledged promised them one as their reward). Because apparently, outside the "64-bit Cart" release of the PC version that's only available to certain high tier backers, only the [=PS4=] and Xbox One versions are getting a physical release.
** As of late March 2017, let's just say that the game's Steam community forum and Playtonic's forums have not been a pretty sight ever since the [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment controversy]] over the removal of [[WebVideo/JonTron JonTron's]] cameo... Given the situation, Playtonic may have found themselves in a MortonsFork, given that either option (keeping Jon or removing Jon) risked controversy.
** In response to Jon's removal, some have went as far as to make threads asking if it's possible for them to get refunds, while a ''very'' vocal minority want to get said refunds via chargeback as a form of protest. It didn't help that Playtonic's response in many of these cases was to [[FromBadToWorse ban or lock the threads in question on both sites, with an official statement on their website that no, there would be no refunds]].

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: The game's premise is our heroes entering books. There are many ideas that could taken advantage of, levels based on stories that are clearly meant to be ''Literature/TreasureIsland'', ''Literature/{{Dracula}}'' or even ''Literature/HarryPotter. Each world has its own story, its own look and its own personality. Instead, the 5 worlds are a jungle ruins, a snow level, a swamp, a casino and a small planet, most of them very much common video game level themes.

** Was removing [[WebVideo/JonTron JonTron's]] cameo from the game shortly before its release because of the controversial political statements he made during the months leading up to it a good or bad decision on Playtonic's part? [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement To say there have been many flame wars over this would be an understatement...]]

** A not-so-minor (and rather unfortunate) one has also formed with the fanbase of ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''. With all the similarities they have (They're both Kickstarter funded "Collectathon" 3D Platformers inspired by N64 titles like ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Super Mario 64'', they both, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen at one point in their development]], contained a cameo from [=JonTron=], etc.) you'd think they'd be FriendlyFandoms, right? Well, thanks to the aforementioned BrokenBase surrounding ''Yooka's'' critical and player base reception along with the fact that ''Hat'' decided to keep their cameo of Jon [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement despite the risk of controversy]] while ''Yooka's'' was cut out [[MortonsFork because of the risk of controversy]], people are torn over which of the two is "better"...

** As of late March 2017, let's just say that the game's Steam community forum and Playtonic's forums have not been a pretty sight ever since the [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement controversy]] over the removal of [[WebVideo/JonTron JonTron's]] cameo... Given the situation, Playtonic may have found themselves in a MortonsFork, given that either option (keeping Jon or removing Jon) risked controversy.

* MemeticMutation: WebVideo/JonTron [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement being removed for his comments]] regarding [[spoiler: [[BaitAndSwitch not]] [[LetsPlay/{{videogamedunkey}} liking]] ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild''. He just had to be removed.]]

** The orchestral soundtrack stretch goal has received mixed opinions. Many enjoy the MIDI music used in the original ''Banjo'' games and want that trend to continue here, though Grant Kirkhope specified on Twitter that ''Banjo-Kazooie'' [[https://twitter.com/grantkirkhope/status/594908847065534464?lang=en did indeed use real instruments]], simply downsized in audio quality. (As opposed to FM Synthesis, used by many SNES and early N64 games)

** A not-so-minor (and rather unfortunate) one has also formed with the fanbase of ''VideoGame/AHatInTime''. With all the similarities they have (They're both Kickstarter funded "Collectathon" 3D Platformers inspired by N64 titles like ''Banjo-Kazooie'' and ''Super Mario 64'', they both, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen at one point in their development]], contained a cameo from [=JonTron=], etc.) you'd think they'd be FriendlyFandoms, right? Well, thanks to the aforementioned BrokenBase surrounding ''Yooka's'' critical and player base reception along with the fact that ''Hat'' decided to keep their cameo of Jon [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgement despite the risk of controversy]] while ''Yooka's'' was cut out [[MortonsFork because of the risk of controversy]], people are [[{{Understatement}} more than a little bit torn]] over which of the two is "better"...