Poi

Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

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"Poi is a single-player 3D Fantasy Platformer game with a good story, phenomenal gameplay, and spectacular visuals. Embark on an adventure across uncharted lands, complete challenge levels, and unlock Master Explorer status. With global online leaderboards, an original soundtrack, and support for controller devices, Poi offers a complete package for any platformer fan."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 640 reviews

story28 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Poi is a charming 3D platformer that captures the nostalgia of classic games like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.
The controls are tight and responsive, making platforming enjoyable and fluid.
The game features a variety of collectibles and challenges, providing a good amount of content for its price.

The boss fights are generally considered weak and uninteresting, lacking challenge and creativity.
Some players have reported issues with hit detection and enemy interactions, making combat frustrating.
The game can feel short and easy, with some players wishing for more depth and difficulty in level design.

story
212 mentions
13 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in "Poi" is largely simplistic and serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay, focusing on two orphans on a quest to collect explorer medallions. While the narrative lacks depth and memorable characters, it provides a charming context for exploration and mission-based tasks reminiscent of classic platformers like Super Mario 64. Overall, the minimalistic plot is not a significant drawback, as the game emphasizes fun and engaging gameplay over a complex storyline.
- “Poi features a traditional but charming world of sky islands and airships, where a pair of siblings join a master explorer in his quest to finally regain his lost medals that he once gathered with his wife, years ago.”
- “Much like its biggest influences, the story of 'Poi' exists solely to move the gameplay forward.”
- “So the game tells a pretty simple story about two kids that go on an adventure to find a legendary treasure called the 'Milky Way Globe'.”
- “The 'story' feels more like an excuse than a driver.”
- “The story in this game is extremely simplistic.”
- “There isn't much of a story.”
gameplay
192 mentions
29 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Poi" is heavily inspired by classic 3D platformers like Super Mario 64 and Sunshine, featuring solid jumping mechanics and a colorful, charming aesthetic. While the controls are generally tight and the collectathon elements are engaging, some players noted issues with slippery platforming, awkward mechanics, and a lack of innovation compared to its predecessors. Overall, it offers a fun and nostalgic experience, though it may not appeal to those seeking groundbreaking gameplay.
- “The most important things to get right in a 3D platformer are the jumping mechanics, and they succeeded.”
- “The graphics are cute and charming, the gameplay is perfect, the controls work extremely well, and every time I messed up I knew it was my fault and never once thought to blame the game for having a dumb mechanic or bad controls.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly solid, with relatively tight controls.”
- “While the levels and the core structure of the gameplay are reasonably well-designed, the game is held back by a number of problems.”
- “The gameplay, for me, only fails in boss fights; I think they're pretty boring and weird.”
- “Poi gets the basics down pretty well, but by and large struggles to move beyond a gameplay skeleton we've seen several times before.”
graphics
182 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Poi" are characterized by a colorful, cartoonish art style that evokes nostalgia for classic platformers like Super Mario 64, though many reviewers find them simplistic and lacking in detail. While some appreciate the charming aesthetic and vibrant visuals, others criticize the graphics as generic and uninspired, with occasional technical glitches on weaker systems. Overall, the visuals are seen as adequate for the gameplay experience, but they do not stand out as a highlight of the game.
- “Imaginative, colorful, and entirely light-hearted, with a charming aesthetic and solid mechanics; I can't think of a single complaint beyond, maybe, just a little more content.”
- “The graphics are cute and charming, the gameplay is perfect, the controls work extremely well, and every time I messed up I knew it was my fault and never once thought to blame the game for having a dumb mechanic or bad controls.”
- “The visuals are pleasing to look at and very colorful.”
- “The graphics are not highly detailed nor realistic, but the endearing cartoonish style they go for is just perfect for the feeling of childlike wonderment I so wished to find in a 3D platformer.”
- “It doesn't look bad per se, but the art style is bland and uninteresting, the textbook definition of what a retro throwback 3D platformer looks like.”
- “Poi at some moments feels lacking in graphical and gameplay polish at certain key sections of the game.”
music
150 mentions
41 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its catchy and fitting nature that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some find it enjoyable and reminiscent of classic platformers, others criticize it for being generic or repetitive, suggesting it lacks the charm of its inspirations. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing positively to the game's vibrant presentation, though opinions vary on its memorability and depth.
- “The music absolutely slaps.”
- “Each world manages to stand out in its own way, and the soundtrack aids the presentation further.”
- “The music is fully orchestrated, which is always nice for me, and it always fits the atmosphere of each world pretty well.”
- “I didn't really like most of the soundtrack.”
- “Aside from a few specific tracks, I don't think most of the music fits the game, and doesn't really add much to the atmosphere or feel.”
- “The looping music quickly gets annoying as well.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
30 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a bright, cartoony, and family-friendly aesthetic that evokes feelings of childlike wonder and adventure. While some music tracks do not fit well, the overall orchestration complements the vibrant visuals and diverse environments, creating an engaging and immersive experience reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon. Each level is thoughtfully designed, contributing to a cohesive and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the game.
- “The music is fully orchestrated, which is always nice for me, and it always fits the atmosphere of each world pretty well.”
- “All of that put together helps create a perfectly cartoony, adorable, but also epic and adventurous atmosphere throughout the entire game.”
- “Every level element, every character, and every object contribute to this cartoony atmosphere, making me feel like I'm playing an awesome Saturday morning cartoon with a fantastic soundtrack to boot.”
- “Aside from a few specific tracks, I don't think most of the music fits the game and doesn't really add much to the atmosphere or feel.”
- “It had to have a lot of secrets and tricks to discover, but it also had to have well-designed platforming and action to boot, and the atmosphere had to evoke feelings of childlike wonderment and adventurous endeavors in both the soundtrack, the visuals, and the story.”
- “I am sure people don't like water levels, but like the atmosphere, so you can add underwater gameplay for the atmosphere.”
stability
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with users reporting frequent graphical glitches, particularly on weaker systems, and issues with visual filters that require restarts. While some players experienced smooth performance at 60fps, others faced significant interruptions, such as freezing menus and missing textures, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, stability issues appear to be a common concern, especially in the game's early stages.
- “The game looks and runs great at 60fps.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance with consistent 60fps.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; it runs flawlessly at 60fps.”
- “Game generally ran fine, though I did have some glitches with graphical filters that got stuck, and I needed to restart the game too often.”
- “I can hardly even use the menu because every 5 seconds the arrow freezes.”
- “Bugs, glitches, and gameplay oversights spoil the fun.”
replayability
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through its leaderboard system for speed runs and challenges, which many players find enjoyable. However, once players achieve 100% completion, the replay value diminishes significantly, with the only notable feature being the New Game Plus mode that introduces a mirrored level layout and increased difficulty, though it remains relatively easy overall. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, they may not satisfy all players seeking long-term engagement.
- “I enjoyed the leaderboard system for speed runs and challenges; it added some nice replayability to parts of the game.”
- “The new game plus mode adds replay value by reducing your health to one and mirroring all the levels. This may sound tough, but apart from the game's final boss, there's not much in the game that's a threat to you. You don't even need to 100% the new game plus mode to get the completion achievement, making it even easier.”
- “Completing the levels in a set time and comparing it with others on the leaderboard is a great feeling and provides replayability for the game.”
- “Get it, 100% it, then get nostalgic about the good times you had with it (because there's no replayability after you get all achievements, which is kinda sad).”
- “Apart from that, the only other thing of note is the New Game Plus mode. It adds some replay value, in that it's not just a replay but reduces your health to one and mirrors all the levels. This may sound tough, but apart from the game's final boss, there's not much in the game that's a threat to you. You don't even need to 100% the New Game Plus mode to get the completion achievement, making it even easier.”
- “These help establish replayability along with the collectathon aspects of the game.”
grinding
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; some players find it tedious and frustrating, describing it as a waste of time, while others appreciate the ease of collecting items like medallions, finding the experience enjoyable. However, many agree that poor enemy design contributes to a sense of tedium, detracting from the overall fun of exploration and collection.
- “It's tedious, annoying, and feels like a big waste of time.”
- “But the poor enemy design also extends to their movement patterns, which seem designed to be challenging in a way that's more tedious than fun.”
- “The collection aspect isn't necessarily the problem here; it's the means of collection that can quickly become tedious.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "poi" is characterized by a heartwarming narrative of perseverance and triumph, despite its lack of depth in character development. While the characters are charming and well-designed, the game's minimal media coverage and some gameplay issues detract from its overall emotional impact.
- “Yet despite this heartwarming tale of perseverance and triumph, 'Poi' remains an outlier in the world of retro 3D platformers; media coverage was, shall we say, minimal, and as of this writing, the game doesn't even have a Wikipedia page.”
- “Speaking of characters, this game has plenty, and while neither of them are very deep or emotionally complex, they're all lovely and very well designed.”
humor
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its whimsical scenarios, such as the playful rivalry between yellow and green ghoulies in a kid-friendly corporate espionage setting. Players appreciate the colorful characters and engaging environments, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience reminiscent of classic platformers like Mario 64. Overall, the humor adds a delightful charm that enhances the gameplay.
- “One standout is the 'sneetches'-style rivalry between two mining companies run by yellow ghoulies and green ghoulies in Crystal Cavern, which sees the explorer playing both sides in a hilarious bout of kid-friendly corporate espionage.”
- “Tight controls, colorful levels (albeit small), multiple things to collect, funny characters, and great music.”
- “What a great surprise! I'm not a big fan of platformers, but Poi changed my mind. It feels like a modern Mario 64 with a lot of collectibles and a funny universe.”
optimization
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, delivering excellent graphical performance at maximum settings, particularly on Ubuntu Linux with Radeon Mesa drivers. However, some users have reported performance issues, including flickering mouse pointers and potential memory leaks that can lead to system lock-ups. Despite these issues, the game offers substantial content for an early access title and is considered a good value at its price point.
- “The graphical performance is excellent at maximum settings on Ubuntu Linux with Radeon Mesa drivers.”
- “It's well optimized, has a bunch of content for an early access game, and is totally worth 10 dollars.”
- “Some performance issues; flickering mouse pointers, probably a memory leak that caused my PC to lock up.”
character development
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development is generally viewed as satisfactory, though some players express a desire for deeper, more engaging growth akin to titles like "Psychonauts" or "A Hat in Time." The quirky design of the characters, particularly the "nerd potatoes," adds a unique charm, but their fearful and often trivial concerns may detract from a more substantial narrative experience.
- “Of course I'd like some Psychonauts or A Hat in Time-like character development, but it's pretty good as it is.”
- “The character design of the nerd potatoes is grotesque, and when you talk to them, they always seem scared of something trivial.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players express a strong appreciation for the game's value, feeling it offers genuine entertainment without the exploitative monetization tactics often seen in AAA titles. Many would have been willing to pay more, highlighting a desire for games that prioritize player enjoyment over corporate profit motives.
- “I would have gladly paid more for this game for the joy it brought me. It reminds me of when games were made to entertain their players and not just for the corporate cash grab mentality that AAA studios have now.”