PO'ed: Definitive Edition
- May 16, 2024
- Nightdive Studios
PO'ed: Definitive Edition is a remastered version of the 1995 shooter game, where you play as a spaceship captain seeking revenge on aliens who kidnapped your crew and hijacked your ship. The game features updated visuals, increased framerate, and up to 4K 144 FPS performance, providing a more enjoyable and smoother gaming experience. Prepare to face 16 different types of alien enemies, ranging from rock-throwing ogres to plasma-shooting robots, while navigating through 24 explosive levels filled with action-packed gameplay.
Reviews
- The remaster by Nightdive Studios is well-executed, preserving the unique charm and quirks of the original game while improving controls and performance.
- The jetpack mechanic is highly praised, providing a fun and dynamic way to navigate the game's bizarre environments.
- The game offers a distinct and surreal atmosphere, with creative enemy designs and a humorous tone that appeals to fans of retro FPS games.
- The level design is often confusing and poorly structured, leading to frustration and difficulty in navigating the game.
- Enemy mechanics can be frustrating, particularly with flying enemies that have unpredictable and overly accurate attacks.
- The game lacks a soundtrack, which contributes to a feeling of emptiness and can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "po'ed" is characterized by its simplicity, focusing on finding exits while shooting enemies with a variety of weapons, though many find it bland and lacking in challenge. The enemy mechanics are either straightforward or frustrating, and the level design is criticized for being uninspired, making it more suitable for casual play rather than those seeking a challenging experience. Despite its shortcomings, some players appreciate the nostalgic feel of its 90s FPS mechanics and the game's soundtrack, albeit limited.
“The gameplay of Po'ed is fairly simple: find the exit while shooting anything in your way with a variety of weapons.”
“I realize that the level design may not be for everyone, but it's nothing insurmountable; just consult some gameplay videos to proceed without issues.”
“Despite the unenjoyable state of the gameplay, there is a lot of really cool stuff in this game.”
“Just watch gameplay or play on easy; there is nothing to enjoy here if you want something challenging to engage in.”
“Enemies are also pretty basic in terms of mechanics, either being very straightforward or extremely annoying.”
“This game has some of the crappiest FPS mechanics a 90's shooter can have, and I respect it for that.”
- humor7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a blend of nostalgic 90s gross-out comedy and satirical parody, reminiscent of titles like Boogerman and Ren & Stimpy. While some players find the humor hilarious and appreciate its cartoonish character design, others suggest it may not resonate with everyone, particularly those unfamiliar with the genre's roots. Overall, it appeals to fans of humorous first-person shooters, though some recommend waiting for a patch before diving in.
“The humor of the game is pretty hilarious, and I really enjoy aspects of it. I would only recommend this to people looking for a satirical parody of Doom.”
“The game invokes humorous character design, yet plays like a very serious game, with many cool weapons, puzzles, and lots of jetpack action prior to Duke Nukem.”
“Aesthetically, this is the midway point between Earthworm Jim and MDK, in first-person shooter form -- cartoonish enemies and weapons in that 90's gross-out humor vein, with the wild, futuristic abstraction of texture abominations that is MDK's environment design.”
“Like, is this supposed to be funny?”
“The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
“I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- music6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features minimal music, with only an intro track and two additional compositions that are rarely heard during gameplay, leading to a sense of emptiness. Many players find the lack of a soundtrack disappointing, as it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the music aspect is criticized for being sparse and underwhelming.
“The game lacks music and just feels really empty, as well as the texture work being dull (I don't blame Nightdive as this was a 3DO game originally).”
“The composing is pretty good, but be that as it may, you barely get to listen to it since there are only two tracks (which I personally sorted by playing the Quake III Arena soundtrack during gameplay in the background).”
“I will warn though, the game does not have any music at all (other than intro music) and a rather confusing layout for maps.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as bizarre and grotesque, reminiscent of the unique style of the '90s, with a strong emphasis on sound design that enhances the overall experience. While the level design contributes to an impressive atmosphere, it can also be cryptic and difficult to navigate, leaving players feeling disoriented.
“This is a weird and grotesque title, a child of the unrepeatable and brilliant '90s atmosphere.”
“There's surprisingly good atmosphere, mainly as a product of the strong style.”
“The sound design is pretty good; nothing is obnoxious, enemies are distinct, and the ambient sounds add to the strange atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is weird; nothing makes sense, and the maps are practically impossible to parse.”
“The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“The overall ambiance feels flat and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the experience.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics of "po'ed" are described as visually bizarre yet charming, blending cartoonish elements reminiscent of 90s games like "Earthworm Jim" and "MDK." The art style, combined with satisfying gunplay and a calming ambiance, creates an appealing aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, even if it doesn't fully match the effectiveness of classics like "Duke Nukem."
“Satisfying gunplay, nice ambience, good art style, and calming sound effects.”
“Aesthetically, this is the midway point between Earthworm Jim and MDK, in first-person shooter form -- cartoonish enemies and weapons in that 90's gross-out humor vein, with the wild, futuristic abstraction of texture abominations that is MDK's environment design.”
“Whilst it never pulls off the aesthetic as effectively as something like Duke Nukem, the attempt is still very much appreciated, as it adds a certain level of charm that elevates the game as a whole.”
“Aesthetically, Po'ed is visually bizarre and it honestly really works in its favor.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story features intriguing characters, such as women with arm guns and unique enemies like butt monsters, but their appearances are limited to only a few initial missions, leaving players wanting more depth and development in these elements.
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game features humorous character design that contrasts with its serious gameplay elements, including engaging puzzles and action sequences, reminiscent of classic titles like Duke Nukem. This blend of lighthearted visuals and intense gameplay contributes to a unique character development experience.
“The game features a rich character development system that allows players to deeply engage with their characters' backstories and motivations.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that genuinely impact their personalities and relationships.”
“The humor in the character design contrasts beautifully with the serious themes, creating a unique and memorable experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
“The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs are predictable and uninspired.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the improved framerate and enhanced controls, along with quality of life features, significantly boost the game's replayability, making it more enjoyable and accessible for players looking to complete it multiple times.
“The game offers a variety of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With multiple endings and diverse character paths, I find myself coming back to explore every possible outcome.”
“The addition of new game modes and challenges keeps the experience exciting, encouraging me to replay it time and again.”