Pompom
- March 14, 2022
- TOMO CAMP
Get on Steam"Pompom is a single-player platformer game with excellent gameplay, where you help Pompom the hamster save his boy Hoshi from Space Cat Pirates. Instead of direct control, you place and manipulate platforms, obstacles, and items to guide Pompom through levels filled with challenges. With unique puzzle-action mechanics and a heartwarming story, Pompom offers a fresh take on the platformer genre."
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Pompom features charming SNES-inspired graphics and a delightful soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic experience.
- The game offers a unique and creative gameplay mechanic where players build the level for Pompom, providing a fresh take on the platforming genre.
- Each level introduces new mechanics and challenges, keeping the gameplay engaging and rewarding for players who enjoy puzzle-solving.
- The game's difficulty spikes significantly, with some levels being frustratingly hard and requiring multiple retries, which can detract from the enjoyment.
- Controls can be unintuitive and imprecise, leading to accidental mistakes that result in cheap deaths and hinder progress.
- The level design can feel unpolished, with unclear indicators on interactable elements and some mechanics that don't function as intended, causing confusion.
- gameplay98 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Pompom is characterized by its unique mechanics and charming design, offering a variety of challenges that keep each level feeling fresh. However, many players have noted inconsistencies in mechanics, such as unpredictable jump physics and buggy interactions, which can lead to frustrating experiences. While the game is visually appealing and ambitious in its approach, better level design and polish could enhance the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the gameplay.
“This game has a lot of mechanics that are interesting and make every stage feel unique.”
“With a great art style and music, a nice variety of world themes that aren't all your standard platformer fare, one or more new mechanics introduced in every stage, and some really clever bosses, every new level got me excited.”
“The gameplay is unique because you guide the little hamster around by building platforms and using items to assist in their little journey.”
“However, I wish the gameplay was executed better.”
“Not to mention, the vertical mechanic is nearly impossible to navigate and isn't very straightforward.”
“In its current state, the game feels like a disappointing mix between beautifully crafted charm and frustratingly crafted gameplay.”
- graphics36 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, retro-inspired aesthetic reminiscent of classic SNES titles, featuring vibrant artwork and a delightful soundtrack. Each world showcases unique visual themes and mechanics, enhancing the overall immersive experience. However, some players feel that while the graphics are appealing, the gameplay can occasionally feel lacking or frustrating, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“Incredibly charming, with a lovely SNES-style soundtrack and aesthetic.”
“This game provides an immersive experience with its 1980s SNES-era atmosphere, varied graphics and music, and fresh level design with unique mechanics in each level.”
“A clever puzzle platformer with probably some of the most accurate SNES aesthetics I've seen.”
“Don't be fooled by the artstyle.”
“It's reminiscent of old school SNES games in terms of visuals, music, and style (I think I even heard the rupee sound effect from A Link to the Past, lol).”
“In fact, the aesthetics go to the point where if you'd given me a screenshot out of context before I came across this, I'd have probably guessed this was one of those super rare cartridges only Japan got back in the day.”
- music32 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charming, nostalgic quality, reminiscent of classic SNES and Genesis soundtracks, with catchy and vibrant themes that enhance the overall aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the delightful variety of tracks that fit the different world themes, contributing to an immersive experience that evokes fond memories of old-school platformers. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, adding significant enjoyment to the gameplay.
“Incredibly charming, with a lovely SNES-style soundtrack and aesthetic.”
“Its music is an absolute blast to listen to and reminds me a lot of old school SNES/Genesis chiptunes.”
“The music also perfectly complements the visual style, with a lot of catchy, happy-go-lucky themes.”
“Besides the visual presentation and music, it's not really enjoyable and I'd rather play a normal platformer.”
“Not only do the graphical sprites vary across the different levels, but the music also varies by having tracks fit for each of the different places the worlds are based around.”
“It's reminiscent of old school SNES games in terms of visuals, music, and style.”
- story10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its charm, featuring cute characters and a nostalgic art style reminiscent of classic Kirby games. While the narrative is engaging and enjoyable, some players find it overshadowed by confusing level design and an unintelligible plot, despite the overall appeal of the characters and setting. The combination of unique gameplay and a whimsical story creates a delightful experience, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its complexity.
“The charm is there with super cute characters and a super cute story. The art and music are reminiscent of old Kirby games, which I absolutely love, and the gameplay is both unique and engaging.”
“The story is interesting, has cute characters, and the villains are cute.”
“The visuals and music are very nostalgic, and the story is amazing. It's all on point!”
“Fans of the genre will be happy to hear all the standard hallmarks are here, including insane difficulty, space travel, and a truly unintelligible story.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive 1980s SNES-era aesthetic, featuring charming graphics, varied music, and innovative level design that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the fun factor inconsistent, the nostalgic feel effectively transports players back to the late 1980s.
“This game provides an immersive experience with its 1980s SNES-era atmosphere, varied graphics and music, and fresh level design with unique mechanics in each level.”
“For starters, the feel and atmosphere of this game really immerses you in the late 1980s SNES era.”
“What you are left with is a game with cool graphics and a charming atmosphere.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is criticized for being plagued by buggy interactions, particularly with placed utilities, which are exacerbated by poor level design. This lack of polish leads to frustrating gameplay experiences, including unexpected deaths. Overall, players find the mechanics interesting but ultimately flawed due to these stability issues.
“I have zero clue how this happens, but I think it's just buggy interactions with the utilities you can place down.”
“I believe that this has to do with a combination of general bad level design and level mechanics that, while interesting, have a tendency to be buggy, resulting in deaths that stemmed from a lack of polish.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the game's checkpoint system, particularly when attempting to revisit areas after reaching the end goal, as it forces them to the level select screen instead of allowing for exploration or completion of missed objectives. This design choice detracts from the emotional satisfaction of fully completing levels.
