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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 578 reviews

gameplay60 positive mentions

stability13 negative mentions

Charming cartoonish graphics that evoke a sense of childlike wonder.
Engaging 3D platforming with a variety of secrets, missions, and multiple paths to explore.
Fun and dynamic gameplay that captures the essence of classic platformers like Super Mario 64.

Hit detection can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments during combat.
Boss fights are often seen as tedious and lack creativity.
The game can feel repetitive due to the need to revisit levels for different objectives.

gameplay
184 mentions
33 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Poi" is a nostalgic homage to classic 3D platformers like "Super Mario 64," featuring a variety of movement mechanics such as double jumps, wall jumps, and collectathon elements that keep the experience engaging. While many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and solid core mechanics, some express frustration with hitbox issues, awkward controls, and a lack of innovative content, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution. Despite these drawbacks, the game is generally regarded as fun and enjoyable, particularly for fans of the genre.
- “The variety of missions, from digging for fossils to defeating bosses, keeps the gameplay dynamic and fun.”
- “Poi offers an adventure of exploring the different worlds and fun gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly solid, with relatively tight controls.”
- “While I do like the gameplay, the hitbox problem is too big and creates a lot of frustration.”
- “The problem is with the gameplay itself; for a game targeted towards younger players, it's punishing at many points along the way.”
- “While the levels and the core structure of the gameplay are reasonably well-designed, the game is held back by a number of problems.”
story
161 mentions
12 % positive mentions
83 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Poi" is generally regarded as simplistic and minimalistic, revolving around two orphans on a quest to collect explorer medallions under the guidance of a veteran explorer. While the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for gameplay, it lacks depth and memorable characters, with many players noting that it feels more like an excuse to facilitate exploration and collect-a-thon mechanics rather than a compelling plot. Despite its generic nature, the lighthearted and whimsical tone aligns well with the game's adventurous spirit, making it enjoyable for players who prioritize gameplay over storytelling.
- “The story is pleasant, the settings are colorful, the music is upbeat and gives a real sense of adventure, and the world is just so charming that it makes the whole experience very enjoyable, cozy, and wholesome.”
- “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.”
- “The game starts off giving you a little backstory of the characters and then you're an adventurer on an adventure.”
- “The story is generic.”
- “The story is extremely simplistic.”
- “The 'story' feels more like an excuse than a driver.”
graphics
137 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, cartoonish aesthetic that evokes a sense of childlike wonder, with bright colors and whimsical designs reminiscent of classic platformers like Super Mario 64. While many players appreciate the simplicity and nostalgic feel, some criticize the visuals as generic and lacking detail, suggesting that they may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their fun and engaging style, though they may not push the boundaries of modern gaming visuals.
- “A charming cartoonish graphics perfectly capture a sense of childlike wonder, making every moment visually engaging.”
- “The graphics are colorful and pleasant, and the controls are mostly pretty tight.”
- “The graphics make for a lovely soft toon style that is consistent throughout and usually makes for a nice view wherever you are.”
- “A game that begs you to love it by shoving colorful graphics and whimsical music in your face yet fails to do anything new. Poi is like if you took Super Mario 64, stripped away all the charm, and replaced it with generic visuals and music trying so hard to be like Pixar. The level design has zero actual design to it, feeling like just random stuff put in a map with little thought on how it connects together, with absolutely no sense of difficulty. This game is like eating cotton candy; it has zero nutritional value and you get sick of it quickly.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
music
126 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as catchy and fitting for the environment, enhancing the overall experience, though it can become repetitive over time. While some players appreciate the upbeat and whimsical soundtrack, others find it forgettable or generic, suggesting it serves better as background music rather than a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as pleasant and enjoyable, contributing positively to the game's charm, despite some criticisms regarding its lack of variety.
- “The music is upbeat and gives a real sense of adventure, and the world is just so charming that it makes the whole experience very enjoyable, cozy, and wholesome.”
- “The soundtrack is beautiful, and the challenges are fun to complete!”
- “The music fits the game so well, I loved every moment!”
- “The soundtracks almost did not seem to exist.”
- “Unfortunately, the enemy design is either dull or aggravating or both, and the sound and music are similarly mediocre.”
- “The music is fairly forgettable but fits for the game.”
atmosphere
16 mentions
38 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a playful and whimsical tone, enhanced by endearing character designs and vibrant, cartoony graphics. While the music generally fits well with the various worlds, some tracks may not contribute significantly to the overall feel. Players appreciate the nostalgic and adventurous ambiance reminiscent of classic 3D platformers, creating a sense of childlike wonder and exploration throughout the game.
- “The characters, while not deeply complex, are endearing and well-designed, adding to the game's playful and whimsical atmosphere.”
- “Poi is a fun 3D platformer, strongly inspired by Super Mario 64 in both the movement and game mechanics, while having its own light atmosphere created by its unique art style and joyful soundtrack.”
- “All of that put together helps create a perfectly cartoony, adorable, but also epic and adventurous atmosphere throughout the entire game.”
- “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.”
- “Yes, it has the same feel as the classic Mario 64 as far as style and type of game, but the atmosphere holds its own.”
- “I am sure people don't like water levels, but like the atmosphere, so you can add underwater gameplay for the atmosphere.”
stability
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
81 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with users reporting various graphical glitches and bugs, particularly on weaker systems. While some players experienced significant issues, such as freezing menus and stuck visual filters, others noted that the game runs well at 60fps and is relatively stable for an early access title. Continuous patches are expected to address these issues, but some glitches remain that can detract from the overall experience.
- “The game looks and runs great at 60fps.”
- “Even in early access, with some features locked, the game looks and runs great.”
- “It's not as perfectly polished as the old Marios, but it's not buggy either; I recommend it to any old school 3D platformer lover!”
- “I did encounter some glitches with visual filters which got stuck until I restarted the game.”
- “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.”
- “Bugs, glitches, and gameplay oversights spoil the fun.”
replayability
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability through its leaderboard system for speed runs, challenges, and a New Game Plus mode that adds a fresh twist to the experience. However, once players achieve 100% completion, the replay value diminishes significantly, leaving some users feeling that the game lacks long-term engagement. Despite this, the nostalgic charm and collectathon elements contribute positively to its replayability for many players.
- “However, there is a certain charm about the game that makes it highly enjoyable and replayable.”
- “While probably not appreciated by a lot of users, I enjoyed the leaderboard system for speed runs and challenges; it added some nice replayability to certain parts of the game.”
- “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 NG+ 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 NG+ mode to get the completion achievement, making it even easier.”
- “Extra replay value with a 'new game plus'.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews on the grinding aspect highlight a divide in player experience: some find it tedious and frustrating, feeling that it detracts from exploration and enjoyment, while others view it as manageable and rewarding. Common criticisms include poor enemy design and filler missions that contribute to a sense of unnecessary grinding, making the collection process feel more like a chore than a fun challenge. Overall, while some players appreciate the opportunity to explore, many feel that the grinding mechanics hinder the overall experience.
- “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
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its charming story, vibrant settings, and upbeat music, creating a wholesome and enjoyable experience. While the characters are well-designed and endearing, they lack depth, and the game's minimal media coverage adds a bittersweet note to its overall appeal. Despite some gameplay flaws, the heartwarming themes of perseverance and adventure resonate with players.
- “The story is pleasant, the settings are colorful, the music is upbeat and gives a real sense of adventure, and the world is just so charming that it makes the whole experience very enjoyable, cozy, and wholesome.”
- “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
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its whimsical rivalries, such as the "sneetches"-style competition between colorful mining companies, and the overall kid-friendly tone that permeates the experience. Players appreciate the funny characters, engaging scenarios, and the lighthearted approach to exploration, which adds a delightful charm reminiscent of classic platformers like Mario 64. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it enjoyable even for those who typically don't favor the genre.
- “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.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Character development in the game features a colorful and cartoonish aesthetic, with low poly designs that some players find charming, while others view it as overly childish. The characters, particularly the "nerd potatoes," are described as grotesque and comically fearful, which adds a unique flavor to their interactions. Overall, while the character design may not appeal to everyone, it aligns well with the game's intended style.
- “Of course I'd like some Psychonauts or A Hat in Time-like character development, but it's pretty good as it is.”
- “The art style and character design are quite childish in my opinion, but that likely fits the type of game it's going for, so it doesn't really bother me.”
- “Great character design too!”
- “Character design of the nerd potatoes is grotesque, and when you talk to them, they are always scared of something trivial.”
- “The art style and character design are quite childish in my opinion, which may fit the type of game it's going for, but I can see it turning a lot of people off if they haven't played it yet.”
optimization
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering excellent graphical performance, particularly on Ubuntu Linux with Radeon Mesa drivers, achieving smooth frame rates even at maximum settings. While some users reported minor issues like flickering mouse pointers and potential memory leaks, the game is generally considered well-optimized for modern computers, especially given its early access status and content richness.
- “The graphical performance is excellent at maximum settings on Ubuntu Linux with Radeon Mesa drivers.”
- “All performance issues have been fixed for me, and I can now play at a smooth 144fps without drops.”
- “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.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a strong appreciation for the game's value, suggesting they would have been willing to pay more for the enjoyment it provides. This sentiment contrasts sharply with the perceived corporate greed of larger studios, highlighting a preference for games that prioritize player experience over monetization.
- “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.”