Pony Island

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,812 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Pony Island Game Cover
Sharp, multilayered satire that remembers to be a game even as it makes fun of us for playing.
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"Pony Island" is a unique indie game that traps players in a corrupted arcade machine. They must navigate through malware, minigames, and puzzle-solving to uncover the dark truth behind the game. The narrative unfolds through text messages, hacking segments, and eerie encounters with a demonic force ratcheting up the tension. This game is a mind-bending trip through a digital hellscape that twists the concept of a simple pony game on its head.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,812 reviews
story370 positive mentions
grinding78 negative mentions
  • story952 mentions

    The story of *Pony Island* is a unique blend of humor, horror, and meta-narrative that captivates players with its unexpected twists and engaging plot. While some find the gameplay repetitive and the story somewhat simplistic, many appreciate its clever integration of puzzles and the deeper themes of entrapment and subversion of gaming tropes. Overall, the narrative is praised for its creativity and ability to keep players invested, making it a memorable experience despite its short length.

    • “The storytelling in Pony Island is where the game truly shines.”
    • “The intriguing storyline further adds to the captivating experience, making it an absolute must-play!”
    • “Pony Island is a brilliant game about games that tricks the player and tells a story not only about the devil, but games as a medium.”
    • “The plot was weaker than I thought it would be - I didn't find it funny or interesting.”
    • “This game has no respect for your time, just watch a video if you're really interested in the story/lore.”
    • “The story is passable, but certainly nothing special – and that's the real downfall of this game.”
  • gameplay833 mentions

    The gameplay of "Pony Island" is characterized by its blend of simple mechanics, including platforming and puzzle-solving, which some players find engaging while others deem repetitive and lacking depth. The game employs a meta-narrative that subverts traditional gameplay conventions, often prioritizing story and atmosphere over complex mechanics. While the experience is generally short (around 2-3 hours), it offers a unique charm that appeals to fans of indie games, though it may not satisfy those seeking challenging gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is engaging enough, but the utter confusion is what keeps me going.”
    • “The gameplay consists of three sets of mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is varied, original and the game's narration is one of the most original and interesting ever, the whole game is meta and keeps messing with your head.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly bland with some harsher mechanics thrown in every now and again to pretend like there is an upcurve in challenge that is never actually there.”
    • “The actual gameplay is extremely boring.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and uninspired: jump, shoot and avoid the foes (who only come in 2 varieties), nothing more.”
  • humor366 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and irreverence, often blending dark themes with absurdity and meta-commentary. Many players found themselves laughing out loud at unexpected moments, appreciating the unique and quirky writing style that plays with gaming conventions. However, some reviews noted that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes relying heavily on niche references or the "pony" theme, which may not resonate with all players.

    • “Honestly a delightful surprise with snappy humor.”
    • “This game is totally irreverent and hilarious.”
    • “A really funny puzzle type game where you try to beat the dev, with over the top absurd humor.”
    • “I know what the fourth wall is! When it breaks, you get a barrage of unfunny, uninteresting, and sometimes cringey dialogue.”
    • “The entire game is a railroad, and because the puzzles are not hard and few and far between, much of the game is spent doing nothing but waiting for rather unfunny text to scroll by.”
    • “The game tries too hard to create another layer of creative abstraction; it stretches itself thin, stumbles across itself, and then faceplants in the most unfunny and boring way.”
  • music282 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and overall experience. The soundtrack, often described as catchy and well-composed, effectively complements the game's themes and gameplay mechanics, making it a standout feature. However, some players noted instances of repetitive or overly loud music, which could detract from the experience at times.

    • “This game gets a thumbs up from me just for the music.”
    • “The soundtrack absolutely slaps.”
    • “The music really added to the atmosphere and helped me immerse myself into the game.”
    • “The music and ambiance were frankly way too loud at times.”
    • “Very annoying sound and music.”
    • “The critically acclaimed soundtrack was really mediocre, not really a good fit.”
  • graphics238 mentions

    The graphics of "Pony Island" are characterized by a retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic arcade games, often enhanced by glitch effects that contribute to its eerie atmosphere. While some players appreciate the unique aesthetic and how it complements the game's narrative, others find the visuals uncomfortable or irritating, with reports of headaches due to flashing lights and pixelation. Overall, the graphics serve the game's thematic elements well, though they may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Deceptive complexity in its puzzles, an interesting narrative, and unique graphics all help to solidify it as a game that keeps your attention very well and offers amazing value for your time.”
    • “The pixel art style, combined with glitch effects and eerie atmosphere, creates a distinct and memorable ambiance.”
    • “The graphics indulge in deliberate retro-style ugliness, but with occasional dips into very attractive modern looks when it wants to do so.”
    • “The graphics are horrible.”
    • “The graphics are really pixelated, even for a pixel art this is extreme!”
    • “The graphics did give me a few headaches and hurt my eyes a few times.”
  • atmosphere98 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality that effectively blends horror elements with a sense of curiosity and humor. Players appreciate the detailed pixel art, haunting soundtrack, and clever sound design, which together create a captivating ambiance that enhances the narrative experience. While the gameplay may be simple, the game's ability to evoke a surreal and unsettling atmosphere, often without relying on jumpscares, leaves a lasting impression on players.

    • “Every detail within the game is designed to amaze, creating an atmosphere filled with curiosity.”
    • “The game's meta-narrative and self-awareness create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
    • “The atmosphere is eerie, giving you a sense that you really are inside the game.”
    • “The visuals themselves are not too disturbing but are very effectively unsettling; the game might not be the most beautiful game in the world, but it works well at delivering the story and adding to that creepypasta-like aesthetic and visual atmosphere.”
    • “What it does provide is an eerie and mysterious atmosphere without anything else to weigh it down.”
  • grinding82 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration during certain sections, particularly with puzzles and platforming elements. While some appreciate the meta-narrative and quirky concepts, many agree that the gameplay can feel overly drawn out and lacks sufficient challenge, making the experience less enjoyable. Despite these criticisms, some players still find value in the game, especially when pursuing achievements or engaging with its unique narrative elements.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The gameplay itself isn't particularly fun or challenging; it's rather tedious.”
    • “The quirky story and meta-narratives are not enough to make this anything other than a very tedious experience.”
    • “The majority of the game is a boring, hammy, nonsense narrative with some tedious 'platforming' and logic puzzles, and truth be told I stopped playing halfway through because I was bored to death.”
  • replayability82 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players noting its short length (typically around 2-4 hours) and limited replay value after the initial playthrough. While some enjoy hunting for collectibles and achievements that can enhance replayability, others find the experience lacks depth and variety, leading to a consensus that it may not warrant multiple playthroughs for most players. However, those interested in uncovering all secrets and completing the game fully may find enough incentive to replay it.

    • “It's a short game but has high replay value, and I do recommend playing it twice at least, to get all of the secrets.”
    • “The replayability is astonishing for a puzzle game.”
    • “Secrets extend replayability, and the game is stuffed with clever hints that facilitate the experience.”
    • “It's a very short adventure, lacking in replayability, but completionists will be rewarded handsomely.”
    • “There's not much replay value once you solve the mystery, but it might take you twice through to get all the achievements and unlock 'the full truth.'”
    • “The only slightly negative side to this game in my opinion is that it only takes two hours to beat, and replayability is low.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it charming and wholesome, evoking feelings of joy and nostalgia through its cute pony theme and engaging puzzles. However, some reviews highlight a deceptive narrative that shifts from lightheartedness to darker themes, leading to unexpected emotional responses, including laughter and tears. Overall, while the game succeeds in creating a heartwarming experience for some, others feel it lacks depth and emotional resonance in its storytelling.

    • “On top of the amazing plot/story going on throughout the game, the puzzles made me feel like a genius and the 2D levels were actually genuinely fun.”
    • “Made me laugh until the very moment that I uninstalled it, and then it made me cry.”
    • “I even felt emotional impact towards the game.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The stability of the game is highly inconsistent, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, while others appreciate the intentional incorporation of glitches as a thematic element. Some players experienced a polished, bug-free experience, contrasting sharply with those who found the game frustratingly unstable and requiring manual fixes. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a divisive aspect, with opinions ranging from admiration for its glitchy charm to frustration over its technical issues.

    • “Remarkably polished and bug-free.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
    • “I appreciate the consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
    • “This game is so buggy that you have to fix it yourself.”
    • “The glitches are terrible and it crashes a lot.”
    • “Terrible unfinished and buggy game; you even have to add parts to the code to get it going. Not worth your time.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization in the game features steep in-app purchases that some players find off-putting, despite the game's self-aware humor about microtransactions. While the store page hints at the game's darker themes, it may reveal too much, potentially impacting player expectations. Overall, players are advised to avoid external walkthroughs to fully enjoy the experience without being influenced by monetization strategies.

    • “I love everything about it, from the story to its amusing story that both pokes fun at itself, video games in general, microtransactions, and basically everything about the video game process.”
    • “The microtransactions are a bit rough, though.”
    • “In-app purchases are a bit steep, though.”
    • “Honestly, do yourself a favor and don't go on YouTube and watch walkthroughs on how to get the mystical golden pony; it's easy enough once you get to the in-app purchases.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of depth, with reviewers noting that characters are poorly explained and fail to evolve throughout the gameplay. Comparisons to other titles, like Undertale, suggest that this game falls short in engaging players and providing meaningful character arcs.

    • “Everything lacks depth: there is no character development, [spoiler]there's no explanation as to who the hopeless soul is[/spoiler], and the gameplay is just a filler.”
    • “That's about the limit of the character development.”
    • “Though, saying that, I do feel Undertale does its job better than Pony Island in the way of character development and player engagement.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from optimization issues, particularly with poor performance on certain systems and a lack of support for 21:9 screen resolutions, leading to a subpar experience for some players.

    • “Another downside is that the game isn't optimized for 21:9 screens.”
    • “Weirdly poor performance on my system.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Pony Island

Play time

3hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
2hMain story
5hCompletionist
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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