Yoshi returns in Yoshi’s Crafted World, the follow-up to Yoshi’s Woolly World on the Nintendo Wii U. This time around, instead of everything being yarn-based, the environments are comprised of arts and crafts materials presenting a similar yet unique sense of charm.

You can expect the same traditional base gameplay mechanics from previous Yoshi titles; capture enemies, gather eggs to work out puzzles or access hidden areas and use Yoshi’s delayed ‘floating’ jump. What makes Crafted World stand out from prior games is the new gameplay feature that gives players the ability to flip between the front and back of stages in a 2.5D experience as well as throw Yoshi Eggs on a three-dimensional aspect of the level rather than just on the foreground. This adds to the puzzle dynamic allowing for clever stage design and hidden items.



While the beautifully crafted (yes, “crafted”, I said it) environments and new gameplay dynamic are the primary roots to the games appeal; the story and character dialogues don’t hold back. A group of eight different coloured Yoshis, all playable, inhabit an island that has a Sundream Stone at its center. The villainous duo of Kamek and Baby Bowser catch wind of Sundream Stone and decide to take it for themselves. In a brief tussle, the gems that make up the artifact are detached and scattered around various areas of the island. Throughout Yoshi’s journey, Kamek and Baby Bowser regularly surface before a unique boss battle with humorous dialogue that quickly becomes something that you are constantly looking forward to. Each boss fight requires you to use multiple aspects of Yoshi’s abilities to beat them and progress to the next stage of the game as well as next collectable gem.

Throughout Yoshi’s journey, Kamek and Baby Bowser regularly surface before a unique boss battle with humorous dialogue that quickly becomes something that you are constantly looking forward to.

Like previous Yoshi titles, the difficulty level is extremely tame. If you choose to rush through a level and ignore all the collectables you will do so with ease. This is counteracted by the level replayability as well as additional ‘Poochy Pup’ levels. Once you have completed a level you will be able to replay the stage in a reversed flip mode, adding a new aspect to the level. In this mode you are tasked with finding three Poochy Pups as well as attempt to complete the level in a given time period. If you successfully manage this, you will be presented with four extra Smiley Flowers. Smiley Flowers are items that are hidden across every level and is the games currency as to how you progress. If you have reached the end of a level without collecting enough Smiley Flowers you will need to go back and collect more before you unlock another area. These new areas are unlocked by Blockafellers, essentially a gate keeper throughout the island. These characters also request that you go on a side-quest after you’ve completed a level to collect specific items. Replayability is the name of the game, adding new scenarios to Crafted World which will make you overlook the general ease of the initial levels.



As well as appearing in the flip-side levels, Poochy also pops up in the main levels from time to time. Yoshi can jump onto Poochy and navigate the side kick to run across dangerous terrains, obliterate enemies and jump over large gaps and platforms. Controlling Poochy isn’t the only teamwork you’ll encounter in Crafted World. The game features a couch co-op mode that lets two players take on levels simultaneously. Yoshis can ride on each other’s backs as well as swallow them and project them throughout the air to break through blocks. This is also a fantastic way to destroy friendships as one of the Yoshis often ends up in harm’s way! Players can also flip the perspective of levels in this co-op mode by having both Yoshis Ground Pound at the same time.

The game features a couch co-op mode that lets two players take on levels simultaneously.

Other than the initial level ease, the collection system is another let down. While it is important to collect Smiley Flowers, all the other craft items and costumes that you collect between levels ‘try your luck’ gumball machines are cosmetic and completely unnecessary to complete the game. It’s fine if you would like to get a bit side-tracked but overall a redundant inclusion.



Yoshi’s Crafted World doesn’t revolutionise the Yoshi franchise quite like Yoshi’s Woolly World did, but this doesn’t take away any aspect to this game. The new flip-side levels and ability to project your Yoshi Eggs anywhere throughout a 2.5D environment are clever dynamics that alone make the game worthwhile. Add to this the extensive replayability and family friendly co-op gameplay and you have a solid entry to the series that makes it a great entry to the Switch library.