PO'ed: Definitive Edition

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

humor7 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The remaster by Nightdive Studios preserves the unique charm and absurdity of the original game, making it a nostalgic experience for fans of the 90s FPS genre.
The jetpack mechanic is highly praised, providing a fun and dynamic way to navigate the levels and engage in combat.
Despite its flaws, the game offers a bizarre and memorable atmosphere, with quirky enemy designs and a distinct art style that some players find appealing.

The level design is often confusing and poorly executed, leading to frustration as players struggle to navigate and complete objectives.
Movement controls are described as floaty and imprecise, making combat and platforming challenging and unenjoyable.
Many weapons lack satisfaction and effectiveness, with some being nearly useless, contributing to an overall feeling of imbalance in gameplay.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The gameplay of "po'ed" is characterized by its simplicity, focusing on finding exits while shooting enemies with a variety of weapons. However, many players find the mechanics and level design to be bland and unchallenging, with basic enemy behavior and uninspired maps. While there are some enjoyable elements, the overall experience may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging or difficult gameplay experience.
- “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 it.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
38%
The game's humor is characterized by its absurdity and retro charm, appealing to fans of 90s gross-out comedy and satirical parodies of classic shooters like Doom. While it features hilarious character designs and a playful aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Earthworm Jim and MDK, some players suggest waiting for a patch before diving in. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the experience for those who appreciate its quirky style.
- “Personality, absurd humor, and obvious passion manage to make this worthwhile to anyone who loves retro shooters or just generally likes to dig into bizarre and forgotten games.”
- “All negatives aside, the humor of the game is pretty hilarious, and I do enjoy aspects of the game. I would really only recommend this to people looking for a satirical parody of Doom.”
- “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.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The game's music is largely criticized for its absence, with players noting that there is no soundtrack during gameplay, leading to a feeling of emptiness. While some acknowledge the quality of the limited composing, with only two tracks available, the overall experience is marred by the lack of music, aside from the intro.
- “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.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The graphics of "Po'ed" are described as visually bizarre yet charming, blending cartoonish elements with a unique art style reminiscent of 90s games like "Earthworm Jim" and "MDK." While it may not achieve the aesthetic heights of titles like "Duke Nukem," the satisfying visuals and creative design of weapons and enemies contribute positively to the overall experience. The game's simple yet appealing level designs and ambient effects enhance its quirky charm.
- “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.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
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, making it difficult to immerse myself in the world.”
- “The overall ambiance feels disjointed and fails to create any sense of tension or engagement.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story features unique enemies, such as women with arm guns and butt monsters, who are engaging but only appear in the early missions, leaving players wanting more of their presence throughout the game.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game features a blend of humorous character design and serious gameplay elements, including engaging puzzles and action sequences, reminiscent of classic titles like Duke Nukem. This contrast enhances the character development, making it both entertaining and dynamic.
- “The game features a rich character development system that allows players to deeply customize their heroes, making each journey feel unique and personal.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, with their backstories and motivations becoming more complex as the game progresses.”
- “The interactions between characters are incredibly well-written, adding layers to their personalities and making me genuinely care about their fates.”
- “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 affect character growth throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a way that feels satisfying or engaging.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
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 paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and character builds, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
- “The addition of new game modes and challenges keeps the experience fresh and exciting, encouraging me to replay.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replaying it feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in; the side quests are repetitive and uninspired.”
- “The limited character customization options and predictable outcomes diminish the replay value significantly.”