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 innovative gameplay mechanic where players build the level for Pompom, providing a fresh take on the platformer genre.
- Each level introduces new mechanics and challenges, keeping the gameplay varied and engaging, making it rewarding when players successfully navigate through them.
- The game's difficulty spikes significantly, with some levels being frustratingly hard, leading to a trial-and-error experience that can feel punishing.
- Gameplay mechanics can be inconsistent and sometimes buggy, resulting in unfair deaths and a lack of clarity on how to interact with certain elements.
- Checkpoint placement can be unforgiving, often requiring players to replay long sections of levels after failing, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- gameplay49 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % 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, 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 has a nostalgic feel, better level design and polish could enhance the overall enjoyment and make it a standout title in the platformer genre.
“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.”
“Pompom's jump mechanics overshoot placements sometimes, making object placement more unpredictable.”
“In its current state, the game feels like a disappointing mix between beautifully crafted charm and frustratingly crafted gameplay.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, retro-inspired aesthetics reminiscent of classic SNES titles, featuring vibrant sprites and a delightful soundtrack. Each world showcases unique visual themes and mechanics, contributing to an immersive experience that evokes nostalgia while offering fresh gameplay elements. However, some players feel that despite the appealing visuals, certain levels can feel bland or frustrating, impacting the overall enjoyment.
“Incredibly charming, with a lovely SNES-style soundtrack and aesthetic.”
“Each world is so different not only in aesthetic but also in mechanics and enemy types.”
“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.”
“Don't be fooled by the art style.”
“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.”
- music16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charming, nostalgic quality, reminiscent of classic SNES and Genesis soundtracks. Reviewers highlight its delightful variety, with tracks that complement the unique themes of each level, creating an immersive and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's vibrant aesthetic and endearing character design.
“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 also does the music 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 (I think I even heard the rupee sound effect from A Link to the Past, lol).”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The story is characterized by its charm, featuring cute characters and a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic Kirby games. While the narrative is engaging and enjoyable, some players find the level design and overall coherence lacking, with elements of difficulty and space travel that may detract from the experience. Overall, the story is appealing but may leave some players confused.
“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 amazing story complements the fine gameplay.”
“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.”
“From my experience, after getting into the initial stages and learning how to guide Pompom with just a couple of grids, I had assumed the game would just flesh out those mechanics in a simple 2D platformer fashion, much like other escort missions I’ve encountered in other games.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its charming and immersive 1980s SNES-era aesthetic, enhanced by varied graphics, music, and unique level designs. While some players find the experience enjoyable, others feel it can be hit or miss in terms of fun. Overall, the nostalgic vibe effectively draws players into its retro world.
“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, a charming atmosphere, and is hit or miss on the fun for me.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is criticized for being plagued by buggy interactions and poor level design, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences and unintended character deaths. Overall, the lack of polish in the mechanics contributes to a sense of instability.
“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.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the game's emotional impact, particularly when attempting to revisit checkpoints after reaching the end goal, as it forces them back to the level select screen, undermining their sense of achievement and completion.
