Poco

About

Poco is a single player action game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Whalefall and was released on May 20, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Poco is a 2D/3D hybrid point-and-click adventure game where you play as Poco, a two-inch tall clown who is banished from a giant walking circus, and left to fend for themselves in the undergrowth of the Below World, where they befriend and enlist the help of the local homunculus population to build a rocket. Explore the beautiful, cluttered Below World... Where everything broken, lost, or unwante…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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99%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,354 reviews

music649 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

The game features beautiful hand-painted backgrounds and charming 3D character designs, creating a unique visual experience.
Poco's story is heartwarming and engaging, with themes of friendship and self-acceptance that resonate with players.
The game is free to play, making it accessible to a wide audience while still delivering high-quality gameplay and music.

Some mini-games, particularly the rhythm and fishing segments, can be frustratingly difficult for players, potentially hindering enjoyment.
The game is relatively short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Certain puzzles may blend into the background, making it difficult for players to identify interactive elements.

music
978 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
33%
1%
The music in this game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and emotional depth, enhancing the overall experience with its whimsical and sometimes somber tones. Players appreciate the dynamic soundtrack that adapts to different areas, creating a rich atmosphere that complements the beautifully crafted visuals and engaging story. Many reviewers express a desire to purchase the soundtrack, highlighting its standout nature in the indie gaming landscape.
- “The music shifts in style as you move around the map and it's just so well composed, enhancing the mood wherever you are.”
- “The art and music are pure comfort: they soothe your eyes and ears like a lullaby made of brushstrokes and echoes.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and the puzzles are also very good, creating a delightful experience throughout the game.”
- “The only critique I have is that the memory puzzle had music playing in the background.”
- “Imo the music wasn't that great and was tiring to listen to after a while since there's only a few songs and a pretty long playtime for such a small area.”
- “The only fly in the ointment is the music mini-game where you must (ala guitar hero etc etc) type/click your action button at the same time as musical notes (well, the equivalent thereof) are falling down the screen in rather speedy fashion.”
graphics
734 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, which blends 2D and 3D elements to create a whimsical and charming atmosphere. Players appreciate the attention to detail in character designs and backgrounds, often describing the visuals as beautiful, cute, and reminiscent of classic storybook aesthetics. The accompanying music further enhances the overall experience, making it a delightful treat for fans of visually engaging games.
- “The art style is absolutely beautiful, its a blend of artistic environments and 3D characters, the puzzles are moderately hard making for an engaging experience.”
- “The painted art style is magnificent, the animation is top-notch, and the adaptive music is *chef's kiss*!”
- “The art style is so charming! I love the bizarre, yet beautiful art style, the world, the characters, and the puzzles are decently challenging.”
- “A few of the visuals were unclear (not the deliberately hidden ones), but the hint system helps to move things along when needed.”
- “The water graphics keep overtaking the whole screen in the scene with the paint water mill/paint maker and win the spot you first leave the horders cave.”
- “In a nutshell my initial take is that the colorful graphics are cute presented with a 2d-ish style but some characterizations were unappealing to my eye.”
story
655 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The story of "Poco" is a charming and heartwarming tale centered around a small clown navigating a whimsical yet complex world after being banished from the circus. While the narrative is simple, it effectively conveys themes of friendship, acceptance, and self-discovery, often blending lighthearted moments with deeper, bittersweet undertones. Players appreciate the engaging character interactions and environmental storytelling, which enrich the overall experience, making it a delightful journey that resonates emotionally despite its short length.
- “The story is very interesting: if you pay enough attention to the clues and dialogues with the different characters, you realize that Poco's world is much more complex than it seems and that there are some dark truths to discover.”
- “The story, while not revolutionary, is heartwarming and is something I feel most people can relate to.”
- “Poco is a gorgeous tear-jerking story about a little clown who is just trying to make their way in life; a story so much of us can relate to!”
- “The story is relatively simple but brought to life by the incredibly unique art that brings this strange world to life, you just have to help this tiny clown find a way back to the circus.”
- “The story itself was very bittersweet and it left me wanting more in this universe and I can't wait to see what else the dev comes up with.”
- “The story is cute on the surface but has some hard & sharp underlying themes (death & murder, enslavement, bullying) which may make it unsuitable for younger children.”
gameplay
214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The gameplay of "Poco" is widely praised for its charming art style, engaging mechanics, and intuitive point-and-click design, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. Many reviewers highlight the balance of fun and challenge in the puzzles, along with the game's emotional storytelling and beautiful visuals, creating a satisfying experience despite its relatively short playtime of around two hours. Overall, the game is described as a delightful blend of exploration, simple mechanics, and whimsical charm, appealing to both casual gamers and fans of the genre.
- “I'm actually so surprised by how good this game is in both gameplay and quality for being free.”
- “The gameplay hits that perfect sweet spot of fun puzzles and exploration, not too easy but satisfying to figure out, and the world is packed with fun little moments and lovable homunculi that help make poco’s journey feel meaningful.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and fluid, always giving you a new quest to chase without ever feeling overwhelming because the puzzles aren't super hard to figure out.”
- “Run of the mill point and click game in terms of mechanics and puzzles.”
- “The gameplay is easy with no complex puzzle to solve.”
- “At times the gameplay can feel a bit back and forth once the player has full access to the map; if you miss something, it can be a little annoying to backtrack and find the missing objects.”
emotional
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming narrative and relatable themes of friendship, found family, and personal growth. Many players report feeling a strong emotional connection to the characters, particularly the protagonist, Poco, leading to moments of joy and sadness that resonate deeply. The combination of charming visuals, engaging music, and a touching storyline creates a memorable experience that often leaves players in tears, highlighting the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions.
- “A colorful varied cast of different interesting wonderful characters and an absolutely heartwarming theme of found family, friendship, and the value of helping one another.”
- “The story is simple but yet so heartwarming (good ending).”
- “The art style is amazing, the gameplay is adorable, and the story is as heartwarming and funny as it comes.”
humor
189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is widely praised for its charming blend of lightheartedness and dark undertones, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. Reviewers highlight the adorable characters, whimsical art style, and clever dialogue that contribute to a delightful experience, making it both funny and heartwarming. The game effectively balances silly moments with deeper themes, creating a unique and enjoyable atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “This game had zero right to be as adorable or hilarious as it was.”
- “The world this game crafts in such a short span of time is full of fun, humor, and whimsy.”
- “The humor is great, the story and characters are charming, and the puzzles are slightly too simplistic for my taste, but since you're basically just playing a painting, I appreciate it for what it is.”
character development
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
29%
4%
Character development in the game is praised for its charming and whimsical character designs, which are complemented by beautiful artwork and a delightful soundtrack. While many players appreciate the unique and adorable aesthetics, some express a desire for deeper personal stories and character arcs to enhance emotional connections. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and lighthearted humor contributes to a cozy and immersive experience, though there is room for more substantial character exploration.
- “Character development is gorgeous as well, loved the way the story leads to heartwarming connections between family members and friends.”
- “All the character designs fit their quirky personalities and add to the richness of the world, making you feel connected to each one in unique ways.”
- “The heart involved in the writing, animation, character design, soundtrack, even the subtle details of how the game allows you to interact with it is on full display.”
- “What I would have liked to see more of was deeper character development, or more personal side stories for each of them.”
- “While the character designs and animations are a gold standard for quality, I found myself utterly enraptured by the painted backgrounds that you can see along Poco's journey.”
- “Character designs, animations, and writing are charming and filled with personality.”
atmosphere
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
38%
4%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of whimsical and slightly dark elements, creating a cozy yet surreal experience. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, detailed backgrounds, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is described as charming, nostalgic, and filled with character, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “Genuinely incredible atmosphere, music, and art.”
- “The atmosphere is cozy, and the soundtrack complements the vibe perfectly, making it a joy to play from start to finish.”
- “The game's atmosphere felt both cozy and surreal, as did the characters. From beginning to end, I felt an atmosphere of nostalgia and something else I can't quite describe.”
- “Clearly made with a lot of love and passion, and chock full of witty writing from memorable characters, gorgeous environmental work, fun little minigames, absolutely bangin' music, and an atmosphere that makes you feel uneasy yet at home at the same time.”
- “A lovely point & click game with a melancholic atmosphere and moments ranging from bitter, bittersweet, and simply sweet.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly with tasks like fishing and backtracking between areas. However, the charming art style and engaging story help mitigate frustration, and the presence of shortcuts and timing mechanics can alleviate some of the repetitiveness. Overall, while there are moments of tedium, they are balanced by enjoyable gameplay elements.
- “Grinding achievements: no.”
- “Some of the mini games were a little annoying but it wasn't anything impossible, just a bit tedious at times.”
- “It can get a little tedious to run back and forth to the different areas, but it's worth it.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with many players noting that it can be completed in one sitting and lacks significant challenges or puzzles. However, some appreciate the engaging story and soundtrack, while a few mention the presence of two endings as a factor that could encourage replay.
- “The soundtrack also makes this game so replayable.”
- “Sweet, funny, and if you're looking for replay value, there are two endings!”
- “Limited replayability once completed.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the optimization of the game is considered satisfactory, with users noting that it runs well despite some mixed feelings about other aspects. The engaging art style and character design contribute positively to the experience, while the performance elements enhance the storyline.
- “Music is great, animations are great, optimization isn't bad, character design is great.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game is praised for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, especially considering it is offered for free without any ads or microtransactions, which many users feel is a remarkable value. The absence of monetization tactics enhances the overall experience, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game without distractions.
- “It almost feels like a crime how a game with this much care put into it is being released for free - and with no ads or microtransactions.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users noting a lack of bugs and glitches. However, some players experienced minor issues when transitioning between different areas.
- “Moving to different areas was a bit buggy.”