My Friend Pedro

Altogether, My Friend Pedro is a speedrunner’s paradise, offering a charming story with good gunplay for its price tag. But if you are looking for pure replay value you won’t find that here (unless you are a speedrunner).

87%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, optimization

95% User Score Based on 27,501 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 36 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $5.12

Buy NowGet on Steam€19.50

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

My Friend Pedro is a violent side-scrolling shooter game where you, a silent protagonist, follow the commands of a sentient banana named Pedro. With a variety of weapons and acrobatic moves, players take on law enforcement and gangs in frenetic slow-motion gunplay, using creative tactics to defeat enemies and rack up high scores. The game features a unique storyline, responsive controls, and a distinctive art style.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 21,533 reviews

gameplay1.7k positive mentions

grinding72 negative mentions

gameplay
3,349 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The gameplay of *My Friend Pedro* is characterized by its fast-paced, acrobatic gunplay and innovative mechanics, such as slow-motion and split aiming, which create a satisfying and stylish experience. While the game introduces new mechanics and challenges throughout its levels, some players find the latter stages bogged down by tedious platforming and puzzle elements that detract from the core action. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, though its short length and occasional repetitiveness are noted as drawbacks.
- “The gameplay in *My Friend Pedro* is a blend of acrobatic gunplay and slow-motion action, akin to slicing a banana in mid-air and watching it gracefully fall into your cereal.”
- “Each level introduces fresh, fun mechanics and weapons, creating a unique twist on the *Hotline Miami* formula, but delivered in a platforming format.”
- “The gameplay is so satisfying, and the dialogue is hilarious.”
- “The gameplay revolves around performing elaborate stunts and gunning down waves of enemies in slow-motion, which sounds fun in theory but quickly grows stale in practice.”
- “The mechanics are shallow and the level design is uninspired, leading to a repetitive experience that feels more like a chore than a thrill ride.”
- “Instant-kill pits left in areas that you won't strictly see coming, mechanics that aren't taught to you that kill the pace until you figure them out, and obtuse, slow puzzles end up plaguing the game the deeper you go.”
story
1,956 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The story of *My Friend Pedro* is often described as simple, absurd, and primarily serving as a backdrop for the game's action-oriented gameplay. While some players appreciate its quirky humor and unexpected twists, many find it lacking depth and coherence, with a runtime of about 3-5 hours. Overall, the narrative is seen as secondary to the engaging mechanics and fast-paced shooting, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize gameplay over a compelling story.
- “The story, gameplay, and aesthetics come together to create an experience as appealing as the world’s most popular fruit.”
- “The story has a wild twist I was definitely not expecting at all at the end!”
- “The story is fitting and really fun; you would need around 5 to 7 hours for a slow playthrough.”
- “The story, if you can call it that, is paper-thin and serves as little more than a flimsy excuse to string together a series of mindless shootouts.”
- “The story is non-existent, and coated in humor that feels more 2014 than 2019, and the only other thing of note is the music, which does slap hard.”
- “After some thought on my experience with the game I have to update my review to not recommended... the story was just so bad and I found out this was an old flash game originally basically resting on its laurels... like c'mon man anyone could come up with a better plot and themes than that crap.”
music
1,456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The music in "My Friend Pedro" has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay. The soundtrack, often compared to the iconic music of "Hotline Miami," features a mix of electronic and synthwave tracks that enhance the game's action and atmosphere. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's fun and immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack features energetic tunes that keep the adrenaline pumping, much like the natural sugars in bananas provide a quick energy boost.”
- “The heart of My Friend Pedro beats in a rhythm of explosive electronic soundtrack composed by various talented artists.”
- “The soundtrack is consistently neat throughout the game.”
- “Even the music, which should be a highlight of any action game, fails to impress.”
- “The soundtrack is somewhat repetitive, but it definitely good.”
- “The music is rather dull, which was a huge bummer to the whole experience.”
replayability
802 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The game "My Friend Pedro" offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players noting its short campaign length of around 3-5 hours. While some enjoy the challenge of achieving higher scores and S-ranks, others find the replay value limited, primarily revolving around leaderboard competition and achievement hunting. The absence of features like a level editor or community support is frequently mentioned as a missed opportunity to enhance replayability further. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy score-chasing and mastering gameplay mechanics, but may not satisfy players seeking extensive replay content.
- “Infinitely replayable, always fun and brimming with personality and charm!”
- “With fun level design and an array of weapons to choose from, it has great replay value.”
- “The biggest draw to the game is its replayability, as there are always multiple ways for you to approach fights and the various levels.”
- “I found modifiers useless, and didn't even try them out - because they disable S rank and that's the ultimate goal for achievements or even just for replayability.”
- “There was an attempt to make the game more replayable by adding a bunch of modifiers tied to the 'secret' collectibles, but the base gameplay is too uninteresting for big heads and wacky camera angles to get me to play through this hell of a test of patience more than once.”
- “The biggest and really the only flaw in this game for me is its absurdly low replay value.”
humor
776 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in *My Friend Pedro* is a mix of absurdity and juvenile wit, primarily driven by the quirky character of a talking banana, Pedro, whose dialogue often elicits laughter. While many players find the humor charming and entertaining, some critiques point out that the jokes can be hit-or-miss, with certain attempts at humor feeling outdated or cringeworthy. Overall, the game is celebrated for its lighthearted, chaotic fun, blending stylish action with a whimsical narrative that keeps players engaged.
- “Pedro’s voice lines are humorous and add a layer of charm, making you smile as often as a banana’s curve.”
- “My friend Pedro is a hilarious, stylish shooter where you pirouette through levels, stringing together headshots, slow-mo dodges, and explosive throws in a ballet of beautiful violence.”
- “The inclusion of a talking banana as a main side character adds an extra layer of absurdity and humor to the game, and it offers a lot of depth and replay value.”
- “The jokes are painfully unfunny and it is burdened by a narrative that doesn't need to be there at all.”
- “Ever seen an overused meme and gone 'this unfunny shit again?'”
- “The story is also garbage and not funny.”
graphics
676 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The graphics of *My Friend Pedro* are characterized by a vibrant and quirky art style that blends neo-noir aesthetics with a playful, surreal atmosphere. While many players appreciate the unique visuals and smooth animations, opinions vary on the overall graphical fidelity, with some describing it as decent but not groundbreaking, often likening it to a polished indie title. Overall, the game's graphics effectively complement its fast-paced gameplay, though some users noted limitations in graphical options and performance on lower-end systems.
- “Visual clarity is very clean and clear while having a distinct neo-noir art style that is not sacrificed by the amount of info that the players need to perform parkour in the game.”
- “The visuals in *My Friend Pedro* are vibrant and stylish, reminiscent of the bright yellow hue of a banana.”
- “The game's graphics are stunning, with a vibrant color palette and a unique art style that complements the game's action-packed gameplay perfectly.”
- “Graphically, the game is a mixed bag.”
- “While I don't usually care about graphics, this game was particularly egregious in its graphical fidelity. I did enjoy the look of Pedro's world, but other than that, it looks like a baby's first Unity game made with free Unity store assets.”
- “A criticism I have is the low budget feel of the game with the graphics and the general art style; it just looks like a high-quality flash game.”
grinding
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
26%
71%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players enjoying the challenge of achieving high scores and S ranks, while others find the repetitive nature of later levels and tedious platforming sections detracts from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight that the game starts strong with fast-paced action but becomes bogged down by frustrating mechanics and unengaging boss fights as it progresses. Overall, while some players appreciate the grind for mastery, others feel it becomes overly tedious and detracts from the fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy at times.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “Unfortunately, towards the end of the game, innovations slow down and the game gets a little tedious.”
- “The later levels become a series of tedious timing and jump skill tests that completely ruin the fun and flow of the game.”
- “While the gameplay itself is flashy and intuitive, most of the later levels become tedious and obnoxious, because it extends time between the gunplay in favor of some unneeded puzzle platforming sections which really kill the flow and enjoyment of each level.”
optimization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
49%
31%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance even on low-end hardware. However, some users have experienced stuttering and frame rate issues, particularly on higher refresh rate monitors, despite a recent patch aimed at addressing these concerns. While the game runs well for most, the 60 fps cap and occasional performance hiccups have been noted as drawbacks by some players.
- “The game is well-optimized, ensuring a seamless experience even during the most chaotic scenes.”
- “They went all out with the OST, love the mechanics. I love how this doesn't need that much RAM or storage to begin with, and it runs smoothly on my potato laptop.”
- “Additionally, it is very well optimized and runs smoothly without dips in framerate even at 120 frames.”
- “A game where your rating and performance are all based on an absolutely broken RNG system.”
- “Don't buy the game, it is 60 fps locked (if you have a better screen than 60 Hz), and for most people it is stuttering even if it is 60 fps locked and constant... I have a 2080 Ti and an i7 7700k, and my game locked at 61 constant fps is stuttering...”
- “While using a GTX 1080, I was getting stuttering through my entire time playing to the point I was getting sick.”
atmosphere
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
40%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of fast-paced action and an industrial/techno soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the atmosphere captivating and immersive, others feel it can be somewhat lacking compared to similar titles. Overall, the combination of visuals, music, and gameplay creates a distinct atmosphere that resonates well with many players, making it a standout in indie gaming.
- “The fast-paced action provides an ideal atmosphere to really draw you into the simple story and develop an interest in the protagonist and his backstory as it slowly reveals as the player progresses through the game.”
- “The sheer atmosphere of the game is enough to make you feel amazed.”
- “They invited masterpiece techno musicians to work on their game Noisescream and Battlejuice, and their music perfectly fits the atmosphere of the game; amazing work.”
- “While the music matched the game's atmosphere, I didn't find it very special either, since it sounded more like dance floor music than anything else.”
- “Controls are a bit difficult to get a hang of, and the atmosphere is a tad bit boring if you like fast-paced shooters like Warframe.”
- “The puzzles, while smart in some cases, kinda break the whole arcade shooter atmosphere.”
emotional
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from empowerment and excitement to heart-wrenching moments that leave players in tears. Many users express a sense of badassery and thrill, likening their experiences to iconic action heroes like John Wick, while others note that certain narrative twists fall short of delivering the intended emotional impact. Overall, the game successfully combines humor, action, and poignant storytelling, creating a memorable emotional journey for players.
- “This is a heart-wrenching, well-crafted tale. It is challenging and fun; it's a masterpiece and must be preserved forever.”
- “The amount of guns is just right, the flavor is on point, and the ending made me cry.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I depopulated three city blocks worth of retired mafiosos, and then I fought Filthy Frank cameos in a dream world.”
stability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
7%
50%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and minimal glitches, frequent game freezes—especially on the Steam Deck—can disrupt gameplay and even lead to lost save data. Some users experienced minor animation glitches, but these generally did not impact the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is still considered enjoyable and runs well on lower-end systems.
- “From the beginning to the end, the game felt very smooth with no glitches of any sort.”
- “Decided to give the game a try, gameplay was very smooth, runs great, and very fun.”
- “The gameplay is easy to pick up and difficult to master; there's a leaderboard to compete with friends and globally. The game runs great on PC with ultrawide support.”
- “Although it says it's verified for the Steam Deck, I experienced very frequent game freezes just after starting missions.”
- “It's a great game, very fun, but hard to enjoy when it freezes, requiring a restart of my entire computer to work again, only to see that my save data is gone for some reason.”
- “It's not a bad or buggy game, but it's not polished either.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features no microtransactions, which is a positive aspect for players looking for a straightforward experience. However, some reviewers suggest waiting for a sale, as the gameplay quality diminishes in the latter half, diverging from the fast-paced action initially promised.
- “Overall, get it if you want a fun, simple side-shooter that can offer some challenge, but I would also say wait for a sale as really the first half is what the ads promised and the best part of the game.”
- “Sadly, the game starts to turn into a weird platformer towards the last half of the game, with less and less fast-paced, action-packed combat that the game has been advertising.”
- “Blood, guns, bananas, and no microtransactions.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
17%
17%
Character development in the game is marked by unique and visually striking designs, contributing to a whimsical and fun atmosphere. However, the character animations are criticized for being stiff and unnatural, detracting from the overall experience. While the story and gameplay are entertaining, the lack of fluidity in character movement may hinder deeper engagement with the characters.
- “The gameplay is funny, the story is silly, the art and character design is goofy, the music goes wacky, the replayability is jolly, the ending is absurd, and the whole thing was just a whimsical fun-loving little thing.”
- “The environments are all beautifully detailed, and the character designs are all very unique and interesting.”
- “While the neon-soaked environments and stylish character designs are visually striking, the animations are stiff and robotic, with characters moving in a way that feels unnatural and janky.”