Yooka-Laylee [GOG, Steam], the 3D platformer from Playtonic Games has been released with day-1 Linux support, here's some initial thoughts.
Disclosure: My key was provided by GOG. The developer and publisher didn't respond to my key requests before release.
Yooka-Laylee is the 3D platformer throwback to games like Banjo-Kazooie that was funded thanks to Kickstarter back in 2015. It's actually made by some of the original team from game developer Rare, who created some really great games.
I can confirm that it does seem to work fine on Linux and I haven't encountered any obvious issues so far. I tested it with the Steam Controller with the SC Controller driver/UI and apart from the mouse pointer staying on the screen it felt really great.
You're initially greeted with what seems like an unskippable cut-scene, nothing I pressed could move me through it any quicker or skip it at all. The characters aren't voiced, so instead they just make babbling noises in place of real words as the speech bubbles fill the screen. Thankfully, general in-game speech can be sped up and skipped, just not cut-scenes it seems.
The evil "Capital B" has stolen all the books, including one of yours. The pages of your book fly out and spread themselves across the lands. The majority of the game seems like it revolves around collecting pages from the book to progress to each new section. To unlock new worlds, you need to collect pages, or "Pagies", which allow you to unlock Tomes. These Tomes can be expanded to make their worlds bigger by spending additional Pagies on them.
It certainly seems like an exciting 3D platformer, with vibrant colours, a big world to explore and so far I've had zero issues with it.
Expect some more thorough thoughts when I've had time to play, since I did not get any advance on this. So far, so good. It seems like a game that would have fit perfectly on the Nintendo 64 and I'm loving it. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Direct Link
Direct Link
Disclosure: My key was provided by GOG. The developer and publisher didn't respond to my key requests before release.
Yooka-Laylee is the 3D platformer throwback to games like Banjo-Kazooie that was funded thanks to Kickstarter back in 2015. It's actually made by some of the original team from game developer Rare, who created some really great games.
I can confirm that it does seem to work fine on Linux and I haven't encountered any obvious issues so far. I tested it with the Steam Controller with the SC Controller driver/UI and apart from the mouse pointer staying on the screen it felt really great.
You're initially greeted with what seems like an unskippable cut-scene, nothing I pressed could move me through it any quicker or skip it at all. The characters aren't voiced, so instead they just make babbling noises in place of real words as the speech bubbles fill the screen. Thankfully, general in-game speech can be sped up and skipped, just not cut-scenes it seems.
The evil "Capital B" has stolen all the books, including one of yours. The pages of your book fly out and spread themselves across the lands. The majority of the game seems like it revolves around collecting pages from the book to progress to each new section. To unlock new worlds, you need to collect pages, or "Pagies", which allow you to unlock Tomes. These Tomes can be expanded to make their worlds bigger by spending additional Pagies on them.
It certainly seems like an exciting 3D platformer, with vibrant colours, a big world to explore and so far I've had zero issues with it.
Expect some more thorough thoughts when I've had time to play, since I did not get any advance on this. So far, so good. It seems like a game that would have fit perfectly on the Nintendo 64 and I'm loving it. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month:
The comments on this article are closed.
All posts need to follow our rules. For users logged in: please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Guest readers can email us for any issues.
I have been really looking forward to this game!
I love 3d platformers and considering the lack of native LEGO games on Linux I really love the fact that this game has day 1 Linux support.
This is definitely going to be a buy for me as soon as possible!
I love 3d platformers and considering the lack of native LEGO games on Linux I really love the fact that this game has day 1 Linux support.
This is definitely going to be a buy for me as soon as possible!
3 Likes, Who?
buying now :) my 9yo and 6yo have been screaming for this.Let me know how they like it, my kids are currently suffering from a behavior related 'new game' embargo. But once that's over they is could be a definitive candidate
6 Likes, Who?
Cute. Cool to see such a kid compatible game. The artwork reminds me of a certain company. ;)
1 Likes, Who?
That trailer looks nothing like the videos on Steam, with a real 3D world?
0 Likes
That trailer looks nothing like the videos on Steam, with a real 3D world?
It says "multiplayer trailer". Probably not the best one to dhow off the game.
0 Likes
That trailer looks nothing like the videos on Steam, with a real 3D world?That's the multiplayer trailer. They still haven't put up a proper release day trailer.
Edit: Found it, was on the publisher's Youtube not theirs, have changed the video now.
Last edited by Liam Dawe on 11 April 2017 at 5:27 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Edit: Found it, was on the publisher's Youtube not theirs, have changed the video now.
Now that's more like it. :)
It looks like great fun, remind me a lot of Jack and Daxter, and that can only be a Good Thing.
I'm just curious, is the local coop feature for the main storyline, or just the stuff we saw in the multiplayer trailer?
EDIT: It seems there is a coop feature following the main character, albeit not really a full coop but rather that you control something (unclear what) that can help/assist the main player.
Still sounds like something I can play with my daughter - so this will be a purchase!
Last edited by Beamboom on 11 April 2017 at 7:24 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
I kickstarted this. I originally paid for a Steam key, but then switched for a PS4 key. Mostly because Unity has a bad reputation on Linux, because I figured this sort of game was best played on a console/TV, and because I prefer my PS4 controller over my Steam controller.
I'm starting to regret my decision. Maybe I'll pick it up for cheap in a future Humble Bundle.
I'm starting to regret my decision. Maybe I'll pick it up for cheap in a future Humble Bundle.
0 Likes
Grrr, it doesn't launch via SteamLink :(
I play all these sort of games via link with the kids (slime rancher, portal ...)
I play all these sort of games via link with the kids (slime rancher, portal ...)
1 Likes, Who?
legluondunet Apr 11, 2017
Look great for the old child I'm.
2 Likes, Who?
Any word on how well the Linux version performs? As someone who has a system that's more or less CPU-bound the large draw distance looks kind of scary to me.
0 Likes
the game crashes with any controller plugged in ... YET reports are saying to stand a chance to play well you need a controller HERPDERP...
This explains why the game crashed for me via steamLink. Went in via the desktop and yup.. crash
This explains why the game crashed for me via steamLink. Went in via the desktop and yup.. crash
0 Likes
the game crashes with any controller plugged in ... YET reports are saying to stand a chance to play well you need a controller HERPDERP...Yet another reason for me to love my Steam Controller :D
This explains why the game crashed for me via steamLink. Went in via the desktop and yup.. crash
0 Likes
:)the game crashes with any controller plugged in ... YET reports are saying to stand a chance to play well you need a controller HERPDERP...Yet another reason for me to love my Steam Controller :D
This explains why the game crashed for me via steamLink. Went in via the desktop and yup.. crash
I have two (with decals on them). They are good :)
For reference:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/360830/discussions/1/133261907146185472/
0 Likes
UnholyVision Apr 11, 2017
Any word on how well the Linux version performs? As someone who has a system that's more or less CPU-bound the large draw distance looks kind of scary to me.This might not be what you're looking for, but I am a bit more CPU heavy with my system. I have a i7-5820k & using a GTX 970. None the less I am running fine. Upon first launch Vsync was turned on so 60 cap. I turned that off in the setting menu and I am pushing 200+ fps. Depending on the area I sometimes jump to 300+ and others I go down to no lower than 120.
The only big issue I am having is no controller works but the keyboard. In the sandbox (the pre-order playground) I could customize controls & even use any controller I wanted. However in the full game it has no way to change your keybinds for a keyboard or even a gamepad. Along with the fact 360 & PS3 controllers don't even work at all. (I haven't tried my Steam Controller yet. Though if what is said in the article works I might try it later & edit this post). I have just been gritting my teeth & using my keyboard so far. Because the keyboard mapping isn't that great. (My only other problem with this game is the camera. Sometimes it likes to get stuck in place so it makes some obstacles harder). (Edit: Well Steam Controller works like a champ).
Last edited by UnholyVision on 12 April 2017 at 12:29 am UTC
0 Likes
vjNNVT63qwHu3MFb96kwqPuvd Apr 11, 2017
It's nice to see this game on GOG without any drm.
2 Likes, Who?
ok it looks like it is hte libudev that ships with steam clashing with the distro provided layer...
I am now playing via steam controller. Ill try via SteamLink tomorrow (I just need to get to the 1st save point because the 1st cust scene is unskippable and it is now damn annoying)
I am now playing via steam controller. Ill try via SteamLink tomorrow (I just need to get to the 1st save point because the 1st cust scene is unskippable and it is now damn annoying)
1 Likes, Who?
cRaZy-bisCuiT Apr 11, 2017
I kickstarted this. I originally paid for a Steam key, but then switched for a PS4 key. Mostly because Unity has a bad reputation on Linux, because I figured this sort of game was best played on a console/TV, and because I prefer my PS4 controller over my Steam controller.What is wrong about playing with the PS4 Controller on PC with Steam and Linux? This game might have some issues with that on launch day but generally spoken that works very well. My PC is connected to two screens and to the TV which I use for Controller games.
I'm starting to regret my decision. Maybe I'll pick it up for cheap in a future Humble Bundle.
0 Likes
I have a i7-5820k & using a GTX 970. None the less I am running fine. Upon first launch Vsync was turned on so 60 cap. I turned that off in the setting menu and I am pushing 200+ fps. Depending on the area I sometimes jump to 300+ and others I go down to no lower than 120.
That sounds pretty good. I can probably divide that number by 2 to get an approximation (CPU is from 2010).
The controller issues sound weird. Come to think of it, my DualShock 4 no longer seems to be reliably picked up by Rocket League, and Steam might have something to do with it. They introduced official DualShock 4 support in an update which seems to have disabled the generic joystick support by default. If I enable DualShock 4 support and connect my controller Steam outright crashes. So I have to use the generic support for now, which seems buggy for some reason?
0 Likes
Patreon
PayPal
See more from me