Yerba Buena: The Quirky Physics Platformer Taking Us Back to the ’70s
Step into the whimsical world of Yerba Buena, a delightful physics platformer named after the historical settlement that eventually became San Francisco. Picture this: an alternate reality set in the groovy 1970s, filled with quirky characters and a funky soundtrack that’ll have you tapping your feet!
During my hands-on demo, I had about 90 minutes to dive deep into the story, which revolves around Barb, a charming but struggling Midwesterner now living in the Bay Area. Barb’s journey kicks off as she races to save a friend and inadvertently stumbles upon a government conspiracy. The art style is reminiscent of classic Telltale games, almost like stepping into a colorful graphic novel.
However, the plot can be a bit of a mixed bag. The writing doesn’t always connect the dots smoothly, often jumping from one point to another without much transition. For instance, the San Francisco Police Department’s indifference towards Barb’s friend’s kidnapping by a gang of bikers raises eyebrows—who would ever say, “Too bad, he should’ve been more careful”? But this bizarre situation sets the stage for Barb’s one-woman crusade to rescue her friend, complete with time travel and mind-bending physics puzzles!
That brings us to the game’s central mechanic: The Oscillator. This technomagical device allows players to copy and transfer movement from one object to another, leading to some seriously creative gameplay moments. Imagine copying a speeding car’s motion and sending an entire apartment hurtling through the air! The mechanics definitely have potential, even if the demo only showcased two main areas—a lively city block in San Francisco and a surreal amusement park perched in a pocket dimension.
While I encountered some clever puzzles, a few felt a bit half-baked. The narrative, packed with oddities, had a quirky charm that was hard to ignore. There are even unexpected twists, like a biker gang supposedly enhanced with superpowers from military experiments—yes, you read that right! The story dances between light-hearted and serious, leaving you wondering if it’s meant to be taken seriously at all.
Another interesting character is Bear, the gang leader, who can reset time whenever he meets his demise. Picture this: a menu pops up over his fallen body, allowing him to choose when to rewind. It’s both hilarious and perplexing, especially since the other characters seem unfazed by this bizarre reality.
In summary, Yerba Buena offers a unique blend of charming visuals and intriguing gameplay mechanics, although the convoluted storyline and writing leave something to be desired. The full game launches on May 26 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and I’m definitely curious to see how the puzzles evolve and if the narrative finds its footing. Stay tuned for more updates!