Secret Ponchos

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 905 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Secret Ponchos Game Cover
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Secret Ponchos is a challenging PvP fighting game set in a stunning Spaghetti Western world. Players engage in fast-paced, precise combat with every shot requiring skill. Compete in 3v3 shootouts and 1v1 duels, relying on outmaneuvering opponents, team play, and environmental strategy to emerge victorious. The "Most Wanted Edition" offers an expanded experience with new features and content.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 905 reviews
gameplay105 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and engaging art style that captures the essence of a spaghetti western.
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and skill-based, requiring players to think strategically and react quickly.
  • The developers are active in the community, regularly engaging with players and addressing feedback.
  • The player base is very small, making it difficult to find matches, especially during off-peak hours.
  • There are several bugs and issues with matchmaking, including problems with connecting with friends and lag during gameplay.
  • The game lacks a single-player mode, limiting its appeal to those who prefer solo play.
  • gameplay235 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and competitive multiplayer elements, often praised for its fast-paced and engaging nature. However, many players express frustration with clunky controls, matchmaking issues, and a dwindling player base, which detracts from the overall experience. While the art style and character diversity are well-received, the execution of gameplay mechanics and server stability remain significant concerns for players.

    • “The developers crafted a very innovative multiplayer gameplay with an attractive art style.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and furious and highly rewards skill over spamming buttons, your aim must be true and wasting shots will leave you wishing you hadn't.”
    • “The gameplay is exciting and different than almost anything else out there.”
    • “The actual controls and gameplay feel very clunky to me.”
    • “Game itself is nice looking, but the gameplay is terrible and poorly planned.”
    • “Sadly, the gameplay is just very... boring and dissatisfying.”
  • graphics159 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, vibrant colors, and smooth animations, creating an immersive experience that draws players in. Many reviewers highlight the unique aesthetic reminiscent of comic books and animated features, likening it to the style of Gorillaz. However, there are notable complaints regarding the limited graphics options and performance issues, which detract from the overall experience for some players.

    • “The graphics are amazing as well, which brings out the artwork and detail in the characters and the abilities they perform.”
    • “The art style is really, really nice, and the music is too.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely beautiful and if you're an artist, it's worth owning for checking out the environments and characters which are badass.”
    • “The lack of 'graphics/display options' is posing a problem for a lot of people.”
    • “Animations constantly seize up, causing terrible visuals such as your character sliding around along the ground with legs paralyzed in a static position while reloading.”
    • “The graphic options are a freaking joke, graphic quality, v-sync and full screen hello 1995.”
  • music94 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its fantastic soundtracks that effectively capture the essence of the western theme, often compared to classic spaghetti western films. Players appreciate the immersive and atmospheric quality of the music, which enhances the overall gameplay experience, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of high-quality music and vibrant art style contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal, sounding exactly as though it was from a classic spaghetti western film.”
    • “The music is very well done and gets you going for some wild shootouts and has a nice cinematic feel.”
    • “The art style and the music are just awesome.”
    • “The game looks nice, it can be fun but the developers seem to have done the bare minimum in terms of music and animations.”
    • “Music is droning and annoying with only a few tracks.”
    • “A music full of tension when showdowns turns into real duels would have been great!”
  • stability23 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and issues with hitboxes that significantly impact gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others describe it as a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall experience. Patches have been released to address some issues, but many still recommend waiting for further improvements before fully committing to the game.

    • “It's surprisingly bug-free for me for an early access title.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any major issues.”
    • “I've experienced very few crashes, which is impressive for a game in development.”
    • “It's a buggy mess and maybe because of it, also a ghost town.”
    • “I won't be buying this game, it's a buggy mess with no meaningful progression.”
    • “The game does have a number of glitches that can become annoying and affect one's performance.”
  • story20 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many players noting that it lacks a coherent narrative or single-player mode, leaving character backstories underdeveloped. While some appreciate the character designs and emotional depth suggested by the artwork, the overall consensus is that the game feels incomplete without a substantial story or campaign to engage players beyond its multiplayer focus. There are calls for future updates to introduce a narrative-driven experience that could enhance the game's appeal.

    • “The characters, the artwork, the sound, the animations, the controls... all have such depth and you can feel a backstory to them that the developers have bled into the game.”
    • “The game is so awesome, I want to dive head first into the Secret Ponchos universe with an in-depth storyline and single-player campaign.”
    • “After this, the top priority for the devs should be adding AI and then using them to craft a single-player experience with a narrative, as these characters are crying out for a backstory or an adventure.”
    • “While I was unable to find a match (dead game, no players), the tutorial/bot combat shows the game has a lot of flaws... as a twin stick shooter, presumably the developers thought they could achieve Red Dead Redemption meets Diablo 3, but without any story or plot.”
    • “We're at that point in video gaming where character depth is more than just the way they look, especially in a game that lacks any sort of story or exposition beyond a few sentences.”
    • “There isn't a story; it's only multiplayer... at the moment 2vs2.”
  • character development15 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its exceptional character designs, which are described as vibrant and reminiscent of comic book characters brought to life. Players appreciate the distinct art style and unique playstyles that enhance gameplay, making each character feel unique and engaging. Overall, the combination of clever mechanics and appealing visuals contributes to a strong sense of investment in the characters.

    • “Fast fun gameplay with some character development to keep you invested and coming back for more.”
    • “First, massive kudos to the clever mechanics, distinct art style, and slick character design.”
    • “Character designs and playstyles make each one stick out from one another, providing very different ways to play depending on who you choose to play as.”
    • “Secret Ponchos is truly an amazing game, from the combat to the art and character design.”
    • “Character designs are comic book characters come to animated life.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with many users describing it as hilarious, funny, and addictive, contributing to a light-hearted competitive atmosphere. The comic book art style and quirky characters enhance the comedic experience, although some feel the intense gameplay can overshadow the humor. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to blend fun and strategy with a humorous touch, fostering a friendly community.

    • “It's twitchy, it's strategic, it's funny.”
    • “This game is fantastic, hilarious and totally addictive!”
    • “Switchblademonkeys managed to produce a renaissance-like game by going back to the good old basics – fun experience, fair but unforgiving gameplay dynamics, with intense but humor-infused light-hearted competitive element.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while many players appreciate the high-quality graphics and smooth engine performance, several have reported issues with PC optimization, including limited graphic settings and glitches that can hinder gameplay. Some users noted improvements after updates, but others still experienced significant performance problems, particularly with menu navigation and multiplayer features.

    • “A lot of effort went into this game as the graphics are very high quality and the engine runs smoothly.”
    • “In my opinion, it has cool graphics, good music, and well-optimized intense gameplay.”
    • “Didn't encounter any performance issues.”
    • “Horrible optimization, no mouse support in menus, can't create an outlaw in the lobby with friends, Steam invites don't work.”
    • “The only downer so far is that you cannot increase the performance too much because the graphic settings are very limited.”
    • “The game is not optimized to run on the PC, also.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a potential cash grab, with some users expressing frustration over poor advertising that undermines its quality. While there are microtransactions available for cosmetic items like skin packs, players appreciate that the game avoids a pay-to-win model, allowing for a more balanced experience. Overall, the game's monetization approach is seen as minimal and non-intrusive, but its marketing shortcomings have hindered its success.

    • “No microtransactions at all; the only thing you can buy extra, at the moment, is a skin pack, which obviously confers no in-game bonuses.”
    • “Microtransactions are used not often, just a heads up.”
    • “Cash grab that Steam has allowed for years for whatever reason.”
    • “A secret cash grab.”
    • “Make microtransactions for in-game skins, do not make it pay to win though.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, attributed to diverse character options, engaging gameplay, and ongoing developer support for improvements. Many users highlight the unique abilities of characters and the promise of additional content as factors that enhance replay value. Additionally, its affordability further solidifies its appeal for repeated playthroughs.

    • “Fun gameplay with huge replayability; few UI bugs, but the devs are very community-oriented and promise to keep improving the game.”
    • “With various characters to choose from, who all have their own unique abilities, adds some replayability to the game.”
    • “A fun, fast-paced, no BS game with unlimited replay value.”
    • “If it had more single-player content, I could recommend it.”
    • “While there are various characters to choose from, the overall replayability feels limited.”
    • “The game lacks sufficient content to encourage replayability.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its fantastic art, music, and design, effectively capturing the essence of spaghetti westerns. Reviewers highlight the charismatic characters and the developers' dedication to creating an immersive experience, making the overall atmosphere both original and engaging.

    • “The art and atmosphere are fantastic, and the developers really care about their game.”
    • “The game has a real atmosphere, and the characters have a lot of charisma.”
    • “I love the atmosphere and style of the game; great choices.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players appreciate the lack of grinding in this MOBA-style game, highlighting its focus on fast-paced arena combat rather than time-consuming loot farming. The gameplay emphasizes skillful trading and resource management, making for a more dynamic and engaging experience.

    • “Say goodbye to hours of farming loot... this is an action game!”
    • “It's like a MOBA but without the farming, leading to just pure combat which boils down to outtrading your opponent and managing your ammo and stamina while keeping an eye on both for your opponent.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the emotional impact of the game, praising its superb character designs and user interface that immerse players in a gritty western cartoon atmosphere. They note that, despite the heartwarming elements, the game remains engaging and well-crafted.

    • “The character designs and UI are just superb and made me feel like part of a gritty western cartoon.”
    • “But beyond all that heartwarming nonsense, there is a very well-made and engaging game here.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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Play time

7hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
6-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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