Poptropica

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 159 reviews
  • story
  • stability
  • monetization
Poptropica Game Cover
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"Poptropica is a massively multiplayer adventure game, where players explore a 2D open-world made up of various islands. Each island presents a unique story, often based on historical events, with puzzles to solve and quests to complete. As a hero, players must save citizens by conquering villains and finishing 17 Flash islands filled with magical expeditions."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 159 reviews
humor2 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Poptropica brings back nostalgic memories for many players, making it a fun experience for those who enjoyed it in their childhood.
  • The game runs smoothly for some players, and the inclusion of bonus quests adds extra content to explore.
  • Players appreciate the ability to log in with their old accounts and access previously earned items and progress.
  • The game lacks many beloved original islands, which disappoints long-time fans who were hoping for a more complete experience.
  • There are significant bugs and glitches that can make the game unplayable at times, leading to frustration among users.
  • The absence of a fullscreen option and the high price point for limited content make many players feel that the game is not worth the investment.
  • story21 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is characterized by a variety of unique island narratives, each with its own challenges, but many players find the execution lacking, often plagued by bugs that hinder progression. While bonus quests offer additional content post-main story, they are frequently unplayable due to technical issues, leading to frustration among users. Overall, the charm of the original game is diminished by these problems, and many players express a desire for the return of classic islands that are currently missing.

    • “Teaching users how to use the mechanics and show them the world of Poptropica: a place where every island has its own story and its own issues that need solving.”
    • “I really hope the creators will bring back more of the old school islands like Skullduggery, Cryptids, Wild West, Ghost Story, Mystery Train, Night Watch, Back Lot, Super Villain, Zomberry, Counterfeit, Red Dragon, Game Show, the original Reality TV Island, Vampire Curse, Astro Knights, Spy Island, etc.”
    • “Bonus quests are quests that are offered to play after the completion of the main story of an island for some islands that reward you with an exclusive item.”
    • “The islands often have a strong concept but mostly a mediocre to bad execution of its ideas in their story and gameplay.”
    • “However, almost every bonus quest in the game is bugged in a way where it's unplayable or impossible to complete, making it frustrating to engage with the story.”
    • “These bugs don't allow you to play the two bonus quests and they are complete turn offs.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous users reporting game-breaking glitches that render it nearly unplayable on many islands. Common issues include bugs preventing item purchases, problems with bonus quests, and persistent glitches reminiscent of the original version. Overall, the game's stability is a significant drawback, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Game-breaking glitches on many islands, near unplayable.”
    • “One of the worst parts has got to be bugs that make the game literally unplayable at certain parts, that being the buggy bonus quests.”
    • “Game is buggy, and key features to make the islands work do not function as expected.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as exploitative, with players feeling that it prioritizes profit over user experience. Many reviews highlight the presence of ads in the free version and the lack of meaningful improvements in the paid version, which still feels incomplete and overpriced at $20. Overall, the game's monetization approach has left users frustrated, as it seems to restrict content and customization behind paywalls while failing to deliver a premium experience.

    • “There are no ads, but there is still some empty ad space you have to walk through.”
    • “For starters, the price is rather high, and the price simply means no ads; it doesn't include membership status.”
    • “This honestly feels like a cash grab.”
    • “The Steam version of the game, which is supposed to be a paid 'premium' experience, omits unnecessary things such as memberships and ads, yet still has lots of empty spaces in every island where ads would usually be, which adds to loading times and makes the game unnecessarily longer for nothing.”
    • “It doesn't even allow for fullscreen, and the only difference is that there aren't any ads.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    Gameplay in Poptropica is characterized by a point-and-click adventure style that incorporates various mechanics, including platforming, across its uniquely themed islands. While each island presents intriguing concepts and narratives, the execution often falls short, leading to a mixed experience. Additionally, the lack of a fullscreen option can hinder gameplay by increasing the likelihood of misclicks, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Teaching users how to use the mechanics and show them the world of Poptropica: a place where every island has its own story and its own issues that need solving.”
    • “The controls act as a point-and-click adventure despite having many more complex types of gameplay such as platforming present.”
    • “Long, long ago, from around 2008 to 2016, I worked for Poptropica and wrote most of the back end for the realms part of the game, as well as helping out with the gameplay there.”
    • “The islands often have a strong concept but mostly a mediocre to bad execution of its ideas in their story and gameplay.”
    • “This game unfortunately also doesn't have a fullscreen option which is upsetting but also makes it more likely to run into issues such as misclicks off the game during gameplay.”
    • “I understand it's the size of the original player, but with Steam, it takes away from the gameplay experience to only be able to play on this tiny floating screen.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising it as the only standout feature, while others find the soundtrack to be mediocre and bland, suggesting players might prefer to listen to their own music instead. Additionally, there are technical issues reported, such as the game starting with music but displaying a black screen, indicating potential problems with sound settings.

    • “I rationalize this by thinking that the transfer of code from Flash to this other program isn't as easy as a copy and paste, and that sound effects and soundtracks for each island and each location need to be created. Something like that can't be done in one day.”
    • “For this longer explanation, I have multiple points I want to talk about, so the following will be separated by cons (since this port doesn't have any pros except good music).”
    • “- Music/SFX sliders in settings, not just toggles.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is mostly mediocre and bland to the point where you're better off just putting on your own music. The movement is a huge downgrade from the classic version of the game, which can be janky and offers less fluid movement.”
    • “I rationalize this by thinking that the transfer of code from Flash to this other program isn't as easy as a copy and paste. Sound effects and soundtracks for each island and each location need to be created, and something like that can't be done in one day.”
    • “It won't even let me play it. When I start the game, I get the music, but the screen remains black and I can't play it.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of randomness and nostalgia, creating a lighthearted experience that offers a refreshing break from more intense gaming environments. Players find it enjoyable and fun, contributing to an overall positive atmosphere.

    • “Because it is the perfect mix of randomness and humor but still has a plot. All in all, this game is very fun to sit back and enjoy a break from toxic online play and stressful platforming.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to lag on lower-end devices despite its simple design, and it is not well-suited for PC performance.

    • “This version of the game is poorly optimized, as it may lag on lower-end devices despite the game's simple nature.”
    • “I only played it for a few minutes, and sadly, it wasn't optimized at all for PC.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is praised for its cute designs and compelling personalities, which engage players effectively. The balance of challenge in puzzles complements the characters, making the overall experience enjoyable for younger audiences.

    • “The character designs are cute, the personalities are compelling, and the puzzles are a challenge without being too hard for younger players.”
    • “The depth of character development really draws you into the story, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming clearer as you progress.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be monotonous and tedious, often requiring a walkthrough to navigate through ambiguous design choices. The lack of continuity in items between episodes and confusing animations further detracts from the experience, making progression feel frustrating.

    • “The island selection they chose is mostly very monotonous to play through, often too ambiguous or tedious to progress through without a walkthrough, with many questionable game design choices.”
    • “Every episode island gives you a medal, but items do not carry over between episodes of the same island, which feels frustrating and unnecessary.”
    • “The animations and plot points often don't make sense, adding to the tediousness of grinding through the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    While the game's current island selection may feel limited, certain islands offer enough replay value to keep players engaged.

    • “Even though the current island assortment makes the game a bit bleak, fortunately, there are some islands that have replay value.”
    • “Even though the current island assortment makes the game a bit bleak, fortunately there are some islands that have replay value.”
    • “After completing the main storyline, I found little incentive to revisit the game; the lack of diverse challenges really diminishes replayability.”
    • “The game feels repetitive after the first playthrough, and I struggled to find reasons to dive back in.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    The graphics of the game are criticized for lacking fullscreen and widescreen capabilities, as well as offering no graphics options for customization.

    • “No fullscreen, no widescreen capabilities, and no graphics options available.”
    • “The graphics look outdated and lack detail, making the game feel unpolished.”
    • “The character models are poorly designed and the textures are low resolution.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often feeling overwhelmed by its perfection and beauty, leading to tears of joy and a sense of profound appreciation. This strong emotional impact contributes to its status as a cult masterpiece.

    • “This game is a cult masterpiece. Every time I log on, I shed a tear at how perfect it is. There has never been a better game. God bless, I will now pass away.”
    • “The emotional depth of this game is unparalleled; it truly resonates with my experiences and feelings.”
    • “I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this game took me on. It left a lasting impact on my heart.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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