Pode
- April 3, 2020
- Henchman & Goon
- 6h median play time
While Pode can be frustrating in it’s lack of communication it is a rather beautiful thing when experienced with others.
Get on Steam"Pode" is a local multi-player mystery platformer game, offering both co-op and single player modes. Players guide a rock and a fallen star through a stunning, Norwegian art-inspired environment, solving puzzles using each character's unique abilities. With pretty visuals, a sensational soundtrack, and a wholesome story, "Pode" provides an unforgettable experience for friends or solo players.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- Pode is a beautifully designed game with charming visuals and a heartwarming story, making it a delightful experience for couples and friends.
- The puzzles are engaging and range from easy to moderately challenging, providing a satisfying gameplay experience without being overly frustrating.
- The game features a relaxing atmosphere with a lovely soundtrack, making it perfect for casual play sessions with loved ones.
- The co-op mechanics can feel unbalanced, often leaving one character sidelined while the other solves puzzles, which detracts from the cooperative experience.
- Some players have reported game-breaking bugs and issues with controls, particularly in co-op mode, which can hinder progress and enjoyment.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it lacks depth and could benefit from more content and clearer puzzle mechanics.
- story24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "Pode" is a charming and heartfelt narrative that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly for couples. Players appreciate the cute characters, Glo and Bulder, whose personalities shine through a simple yet moving storyline that complements the puzzle mechanics. The game's beautiful visuals and soundtrack further elevate the emotional impact, making it a delightful choice for those who enjoy co-op puzzle platformers.
“It isn't overly common to find a puzzle game that is driven by a narrative, but Pode has a short and sweet storyline that effectively adds to the whimsy and purpose of the puzzles within the game.”
“Overall, this beautiful yet short puzzle game will pose a fun challenge for couples whilst also bringing you closer by focusing on the loving story of the two characters.”
“The only thing I would point out as negative is the bright flash on progressing through the story by unlocking new stages.”
“The story is simple, and generally keeps out of the way, but still manages to tug at your heartstrings.”
“We did the whole story and most of the secrets, pretty constant progress and we only got stuck once on what I felt like was a kind of unfair/finnicky puzzle.”
- music19 mentions
- 84 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and enchanting qualities, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment. Reviewers highlight the splendid soundtrack as a key element that enhances the cute visuals and engaging gameplay, making it a delightful experience for casual gamers. Overall, the combination of beautiful music and charming art creates a captivating and immersive environment.
“The music is super relaxing and it is overall a super cute and fun, simple co-op game.”
“The music is lovely and the story is sweet.”
“The soundtrack is wonderful!”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a while.”
“While the game has a nice atmosphere, the soundtrack quickly becomes forgettable.”
“The music doesn't match the gameplay, leading to a disjointed experience.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and cute art style, which enhances the overall experience with enchanting visuals and animations. Players appreciate the thoughtful level designs and the relaxing atmosphere created by the artwork and music, making it a delightful puzzle platformer. While the visuals are generally well-received, some feedback suggests that certain organic elements could be refined.
“Love the artwork and thoughtfulness behind the level designs.”
“The visuals and art style are beautiful, and the little storyline is absolutely adorable.”
“The joy of seeing the mountain come to life with a traditional art style makes it a joy to play through the levels.”
“The graphics are very pretty as well.”
“Liked most of the graphic design, maybe the organic stuff could be a bit less crude.”
“Graphics-”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of charming visuals and interesting mechanics, with puzzles that strike a balance between challenge and accessibility. However, many players find the mechanics poorly explained, leading to frustration, especially with cooperative elements and specific game features. Overall, while the game offers a relaxing experience with a great soundtrack, the lack of clear guidance can detract from the enjoyment.
“The puzzles and game mechanics are very interesting and the scenery is beautiful.”
“The puzzles are actually challenging and the mechanics are incredibly fun!”
“Gameplay-wise, it's simple but clever and deeper than it looks.”
“Infuriatingly unintuitive game mechanics, even for seasoned players of puzzle games.”
“Poorly explained mechanics.”
“I had to look up how to progress because the 'combined aura' mechanic required to grow the plant in the main lobby area was never explained and not hinted at in any way.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming and wholesome nature, often evoking feelings of cuteness and nostalgia. Players describe it as a touching experience that can be both enjoyable solo and even more meaningful when shared with a partner, with some moments being genuinely heartbreaking. Overall, it is recommended for its ability to elicit strong emotional responses while providing a thoughtful co-op puzzle experience.
“The game is emotional and sometimes even heartbreaking.”
“A heartwarming puzzle game best played with a friend, but it's still an enjoyable experience solo.”
“I cried too before its beauty.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its beautiful and unique atmosphere, enhanced by a lovely soundtrack that contributes to a relaxing experience. Players appreciate the game's charming visuals and smooth progression, making it an enjoyable choice for casual gamers. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that elevates the gameplay experience.
“Extremely beautiful atmosphere!”
“The game had a nice progression with each level feeling unique in atmosphere.”
“The game is gorgeous and atmospheric, the music is lovely, it installed and launched smoothly, and I'm assuming it would be a fine singleplayer experience.”
“The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking any real depth or immersion.”
“I expected a rich and engaging environment, but instead, it felt empty and lifeless.”
“The game's atmosphere is so forgettable that I often found myself zoning out during gameplay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive at times, suggesting that it can detract from the overall experience.
“The grinding can feel a bit repetitive at times, but it also provides a satisfying sense of progression.”
“While the game has its grindy moments, the rewards make it worthwhile and keep me engaged.”
“I appreciate the grind; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the game and develop my character.”
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times.”
“Grinding becomes repetitive and tedious after a while.”
“I found myself spending too much time grinding for resources.”
