Ponpu

A Bomberman inspired adventure game where the Duck God wishes to destroy the universe. 10 challenging worlds and 3 online game modes await in this superb-looking puzzle adventure. + Incredible graphics. + Synthesised audio. + Easy controls. + Fantastic online play. - The single-player gets boring. (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on PC, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation.)

52%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

replayability, grinding

67% User Score Based on 36 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $6.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

Get ready to break some eggs in this frantic multiplayer party-game! Ponpu mixes classic gameplay with new crazy mechanics, all packaged in one of the coolest art-styles ever seen! As a herald of the almighty creator of the Universe – the Duck-God, battle it out with your siblings in an epic quest to save the world from destruction! Once you’re done saving the world, engage in frantic multipla…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews

story6 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful and unique art style that stands out and is visually appealing.
Multiplayer modes are fun and provide a good experience, especially when played with friends.
Boss battles are challenging and well-designed, adding excitement to the gameplay.

The single-player experience is repetitive and lacks depth, making it less engaging.
There are technical issues such as no key rebinding, lack of resolution options, and no Vsync, leading to gameplay frustrations.
Gameplay mechanics can feel awkward and unrefined, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The story mode is described as minimal and somewhat repetitive, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While the boss fights are praised for their challenge and creativity, the overall experience can feel monotonous, especially for players seeking a more linear progression. Despite its shortcomings, the game is considered a decent choice for casual play with friends, particularly at a low price point.
- “The story mode has a very natural learning curve that will definitely keep you on your toes, and those bosses will take many retries to beat.”
- “Absolute blast of a game, the story mode is totally wack and the boss fights are seriously challenging.”
- “I do really enjoy the bosses, though, and I think Purple Tree did a very good job of making some nice boss fights in the story.”
- “After some time with the game and almost being done with the story mode, I'm pretty mixed, but more on the negative side.”
- “However, at times I found the redundancy of the story mode really sank in and made the game pretty boring: walk around, blow things up to get rainbow feathers, kill enemies, get the gold key, move on - three normal levels and one boss, each stage.”
- “Overall, I want to love Ponpu, I really do, but for me it missed the mark on keeping the fun/attention consistent, and at times I would find myself getting bored running around the story mode and doing the same thing over and over.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
35%
13%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising its beautiful and unique art style, particularly the effective use of black and white with colored accents. However, some users noted issues with choppy visuals and a lack of graphical settings. Overall, the hand-drawn visuals and charming aesthetic contribute positively to the game's appeal, despite some mechanical shortcomings.
- “Graphics: the style of black and white with colored accents is really well done - for the most part there's a nice clarity to it all and a lot of restraint is used in what is chosen to be colored.”
- “Ponpu is clearly inspired by Super Bomberman for the SNES, and it does a good job of making the idea unique: a game with different kinds of characters with different bomb abilities, a beautiful, yet wacky art style that ties in well with the goofy music backing the game, and overall a fresh take on the Bomberman games.”
- “The only way to describe this game is if you take the game mechanics from Bomberman, give it the gameplay and general vibe of The Binding of Isaac, and give it absolutely stunning hand-drawn visuals.”
- “No key rebinding, the graphics look choppy and weird and there are no settings to look at.”
- “Graphics: the style of black and white with colored accents is really well done - for the most part there's a nice clarity to it all (minus some bones that look like they might be able to be walked over) and a lot of restraint is used in what is chosen to be colored.”
- “I love the clean, kinda gross art style and world setting.”
gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
63%
16%
The gameplay is a unique twist on the classic Bomberman formula, featuring engaging mechanics like bouncing bombs and solid movement, all wrapped in stunning hand-drawn visuals. While some users criticize it for being mechanically simple, many find it enjoyable and recommend it for those seeking a fresh take on familiar gameplay. The multiplayer modes, including deathmatch and paint battles, add to the fun, making it a charming and complex experience as players delve deeper into its mechanics.
- “A take on Bomberman with very unique graphics, neat gameplay, and just solid movement.”
- “I really do - it's a fun little Bomberman clone with its own mechanics involving bouncing bombs off stuff that make it easy to pick up.”
- “Highly recommended if you enjoy Bomberman but want to have a fresh take on tried-and-true game mechanics.”
- “Shitty gameplay”
- “Gameplay: bomberman but strange duckbomberman creature instead.”
- “The only way to describe this game is if you take the game mechanics from bomberman, gave it the gameplay and general vibe of The Binding of Isaac, and give it absolutely stunning hand-drawn visuals.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in Ponpu is highly praised for its uniqueness and playful quality, drawing inspiration from the classic Super Bomberman on SNES. It complements the game's wacky art style and diverse character abilities, enhancing the overall experience and providing a fresh take on the Bomberman genre.
- “Ponpu is clearly inspired by that of Super Bomberman for the SNES, and it does a good job of making the idea unique: a game with different kinds of characters with different bomb abilities, a beautiful, yet wacky art style that ties in well with the goofy music backing the game, and overall a fresh take on the Bomberman games.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is reminiscent of Katamari Damacy, delivering unexpected hilarity through its quirky antics. Additionally, the amusing sound design, particularly the funny noises made by the chickens, enhances the comedic experience.
- “The humor takes a page or two from Katamari Damacy and it's unexpectedly hilarious.”
- “The sound design is also what got me good; the funny noises these little chickens make are delightful.”
- “The humor takes a page or two from Katamari Damacy and it's unexpectedly hilarious.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game shows thoughtful design, but many users feel it ultimately falls short in terms of replayability and longevity, suggesting that it may not offer enough incentive for players to return after their initial playthrough.
- “There was a lot of consideration put into designing this game; it's very clear. However, the game itself doesn't do justice to that effort and lacks replayability and overall longevity.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in single-player mode, while the multiplayer mode, specifically coin steal, is seen as restrictive and adds to the overall grind.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the repetitive tasks required to progress incredibly frustrating and time-consuming.”
- “The grind is so excessive that it overshadows the fun elements of the game.”