Ponpu
- December 2, 2020
- Purple Tree Studio
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.)
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…
Reviews
- Beautiful and unique art style that enhances the overall experience.
- Fun multiplayer modes that can provide a good time with friends.
- Challenging boss fights and a quirky story mode that keeps players engaged.
- Lack of single player content and repetitive gameplay can lead to boredom.
- Technical issues such as no key rebinding, poor graphics settings, and no Vsync can hinder the experience.
- Gameplay mechanics can feel awkward and unrefined, making it frustrating at times.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story mode is described as minimal and somewhat repetitive, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While the stages offer a natural learning curve and enjoyable boss fights, many players find the exploration and level progression frustratingly linear and monotonous. Overall, the game is seen as a decent party option, but the story lacks depth and variety, leading to mixed feelings about its engagement over time.
“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.”
“A great purchase for those who like an easy to pick up story mode and also for those wanting to buy a great game to play with friends.”
“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.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, featuring a striking black and white palette with colorful accents that enhance clarity and visual appeal. While some users noted minor issues with choppy visuals and lack of settings, the overall aesthetic is described as stunning and well-executed, contributing positively to the game's fun and engaging atmosphere.
“Beautiful art style.”
“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.”
“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.”
“No key rebinding, the graphics look choppy and weird and there are no settings to adjust.”
“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).”
“A take on Bomberman with very unique graphics, neat gameplay, and just solid movement.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a unique twist on the classic Bomberman formula, featuring distinctive graphics and engaging mechanics that allow for creative bomb interactions. While some players find it mechanically simple, many appreciate its fun and challenging nature, making it a recommended experience for fans of the genre. Overall, it combines familiar elements with fresh ideas, resulting in a visually appealing and enjoyable game.
“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 with a strange duck-bomberman creature instead.”
“A refreshing game to see; simple yet hard, it can get pretty complex once you start getting into the game mechanics.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in Ponpu is praised for its uniqueness and playful quality, drawing inspiration from the classic Super Bomberman on SNES. It complements the game's whimsical art style and diverse character abilities, enhancing the overall experience with a fresh and engaging soundtrack.
“Ponpu is clearly inspired by the music 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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is reminiscent of Katamari Damacy, delivering unexpected hilarity through clever design and amusing sound effects, particularly the funny noises made by the chickens.
“The humor takes a page or two from Katamari Damacy, and it's unexpectedly hilarious.”
“The sound design is also what got me; the funny noises these little chickens make are just delightful.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game showcases thoughtful design, 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 experience.
“There was a lot of consideration put into designing this game; it's very clear, but the game itself doesn't do itself justice and lacks replayability and overall longevity.”
Critic Reviews
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.)
60%Bomberduck game --- Ponpu review
Ponpu is a decently fun Bomberman clone that has a distinct art style and some cool multiplayer modes. While the single-player content is nothing to write home about, you can definitely have a clucking good time with the right friends locally or online.
70%- 70%