Poi (video game)
Poi | ||
---|---|---|
Composer(s) Lyndon Holland | | |
Engine | Unity | |
Platform(s) | ||
Release | Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows
| |
3D platformer | ||
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Poi is an
Gameplay
Poi follows a pair of orphaned twin children, a boy and a girl, who are invited by an older adventurer known as the Master Explorer to join the crew of his flying airship in his quest to find a mystical treasure known as the Milky Way Globe. Having lost his collection of valuable Explorer Medallions after they were scattered during a violent storm, the Master Explorer requests the twins help retrieve them along the way. The player can choose to play as either the boy or the girl and can switch between the two while on the airship, though their abilities are identical. The player characters can run, jump, roll, swim, climb specific surfaces,
The sky surrounding the Master Explorer's airship acts as the central hub, from which the player can access any of the game's worlds. There are four main worlds, each one a closed environment that the player can explore at their own pace. Progression is similar to
The player can use the coins they collect in the worlds to purchase Explorer Tools from the Master Explorer. Some of these tools are passive upgrades that enhance the player characters, such as a magnet to draw in coins from further away or an extra heart to increase the characters' maximum health; others are items that the player can equip and use, including a shovel to dig up fossils and a camera to take photographs. Coins can also be exchanged with a traveling merchant for access to challenge stages that will grant the player additional Explorer Medallions upon completion.[3] As the player collects Explorer Medallions and completes certain tasks, the sky around the airship will populate with landmasses containing entrances to smaller bonus worlds and minigames, as well as other non-player characters to interact with. These characters will reward the player with additional Explorer Medallions for completing extra objectives or finding each world's bonus collectibles, such as an archaeologist searching for fossils or another adventurer in need of golden gears to repair her airship.[1] Completing the game unlocks a more difficult New Game Plus mode, which mirrors the game's worlds and severely limits the player character's health.[2]
Development
Poi was the first game developed by PolyKid, a small independent studio founded by DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates Paul Ewers and Ben Gable. The two sought to create a new 3D platformer that evoked the spirit of classic entries in the genre such as Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, and Super Mario Sunshine. The game was first announced in June 2015 for release on Microsoft Windows and Wii U, alongside plans for a Kickstarter campaign to help fund its development.[4] The campaign launched on August 4, 2015, with a target goal of $80,000,[5] but ultimately proved unsuccessful, raising only $27,236.[6] However, PolyKid maintained that development on the game would continue in spite of the campaign's failure.[7]
On November 6, 2015, Poi was released via the
Reception
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The Nintendo Switch version of Poi received an average score of 65/100 from review aggregator Metacritic, indicating mixed reception.
References
- ^ Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Whitaker, Jed (March 17, 2017). "Review: Poi". Destructoid. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ Riendeau, Danielle (August 21, 2015). "Poi is a new platformer inspired by Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie". Polygon. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ PolyKid (August 4, 2015). "Poi - A 3D Adventure Platformer by PolyKid". Kickstarter. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ PolyKid (September 3, 2015). "Poi - A 3D Adventure Platformer by PolyKid >> The Road Ahead". Kickstarter. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ Sykes, Tom (November 8, 2015). "3D Platformer Poi leaps onto Steam Early Access". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ Carter, Chris (June 6, 2017). "Charming platformer Poi is coming to the Switch". Destructoid. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ^ a b "Poi: Explorer Edition for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
- ^ a b Rairdin, John (November 4, 2017). "Poi: Explorer Edition Review (Switch)". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved August 14, 2019.