Summer Game Fest 2022: Poinpy, the modern-day Doodle Jump is on Netflix

Game News Summer Game Fest 2022: Poinpy, the modern-day Doodle Jump is on Netflix

Higher, yes higher

Freshly landed on Android and iOS devices, Poinpy is, in a way, the complete opposite of Downwell, Mappin’s previous app. Say goodbye to the dark, bat-filled caves you have to descend into, it’s time to bounce back to the skies! The Devolver game that ends up on Netflix is ​​not there to make movies: The scenario? It fits on a stamp with this story of a gigantic monster, annoyed at having been used as a simple trampoline, which must be calmed down by making beverages. Maneuverability? It is immediately understandable and requires only one finger to perform the various actions. The small grass-colored ball is sent into the air as if the player had a slingshot: a downward sweep therefore sends the small character up high. Easy right?

When the player maintains the pressure before propelling the creature, a dotted line appears to show the path that the monster will follow once in the air. Little by little, by using the edges of the screen to bounce a little higher, by landing on platforms, by crushing enemies, and performing a double then a triple jump, the user will be able to overcome obstacles and to climb the areas. In other words, Ojiro Fumoto’s title draws on old mobile successes (Doodle Jump, Angry Bird, among others) to ensure onion-based gameplay..

Unlike other games of the same genre, Poinpy’s goal isn’t just to get to the skies. Pursued by a huge creature located at the bottom of the screen, the little creature must also pick up fruit required by the boss, respecting specific combinations. At the bottom of an area, only one fruit is needed to satisfy the ravenous pursuer, but the higher the player climbs, the more the horrific stalker increases his claims. First you need a blackberry, then two, then two tomatoes and lemon, etc. The concern is that the player has a limited time to complete these requirements and everything must be collected without the player touching the ground. If the little creature falls on the ground before the right combination of fruits is picked up, the food collected disappears and you will have to try your luck again before the timer runs out. When the timer reaches zero after too many failures, the boss ignites and grills the hero. A life is then removed.

Easy to get to, hard to master

Easy to pick up but complicated to master, Poinpy is full of elements that reveal themselves as you progress and effectively enhance the gameplay. For example, crushing an enemy or a destructible element of the decor grants an additional jump, which quickly becomes essential to hope to collect whole baskets of fruit without touching the ground. Also, some fruits are draped in a yellow veil. If the player collects them, he wins a token that he can spend in a bonus dispenser accessible from the game’s title screen. is crushed, spawning a few fruits in pairs, adding food to the smash jars, etc. Thus, the increasing difficulty of the levels is (slightly) counterbalanced by unlockable upgrades and ranks that increase steadily, even on failure.

At the same time simple, kawaii, and quite intransigent, Poinpy is a very good surprise that does everything that is asked of it without a repulsive business model. Aimed at a wider audience than Downwell without being too permissive, Mappin’s new title could well become your best companion on your holiday journey. Poinpy is available to Netflix subscribers on Android and iOS.