Introduction

Let's talk about Poi, an indie platformer that wants you to channel your inner child and follow a treasure map that probably leads to that one McGuffin your parents swore they knew where it was but it actually just led to a life lesson about 'finding what's important in life.' Spoiler alert: it's not the Milky Way Globe. Who knew they read like this?

Gameplay

Poi beams its sunshine-filled warmth at you by following the path of our two orphaned twins, who are invited (against all the parental guidance we've had drilled into us about strangers) by the illustrious Master Explorer in an airship to collect scattered Explorer Medallions. The gameplay mimics classic platformers - a blend of nostalgia and current graphics. You run, jump, glide, and roll your way across magical environments that are bursting with colors rivaling a tie-dye festival, while avoiding poor control that often results in you getting flung off tightropes like spaghetti out of a poorly made colander. Switching between siblings is smoother than a buttered cat (some physics puzzler loves that analogy), but let's be real - they have the same abilities, making the whole concept of switching feel as meaningful as changing your glasses from black frames to tortoiseshell. Each world is open for exploration like the clearance rack at a thrift store, dotted with hidden treasures like coins, collectibles, alongside bonkers challenges that'll have you both laughing and groaning simultaneously. What you do with these shiny coins? Well, you hand them to the Master Explorer like you owe him rent, and in return, you get nifty Explorer Tools (aka, upgrades) to make the wacky wonderland a tad easier! For instance, who wouldn't want a shovel to dig up those precious fossils like a kid in a sandbox? Now you, too, can feel like a paleontologist in your pajamas... sort of. That said, be prepared for the inevitability of death due to totally avoidable falls from great heights. Repeatable deaths mean you'll be trading coins like Pokémon cards; it's a financial love affair you didn't ask for.

Graphics

Visually, Poi is like meeting a cartoon character you had a crush on growing up, only to realize they read before bed and grew up with discipline. The environments are beautifully crafted enough to give you a strong case of wanderlust... just maybe not the attention span to explore every nook and cranny unless you have a heart of #teamcompletionist. The aesthetic features colors that could make any first-grader in art class jealous, but also lend itself to an occasional blur effect that makes you question whether your eyes need glasses or if this game just needs a patch. Short answer: both.

Conclusion

Poi is not the cornerstone of platformers but it deftly executes a love letter to gamers who remember what fun was like with their first 3D games. It has the heart of a true indie title filled with quirks, nostalgia, and challenges that will make your parents question your sanity when you yell at your screen - definitely don't let them see your progress after checking in with the Master Explorer who evidently needs a map to locate his own sanity. Ultimately, Poi is an adventure worth taking, just like your last bad Tinder date: you may giggle, shout at the screen, and emerge with some fond memories - or just some Explorer Medallions and a walk of shame back to the portal. 7 out of 10 because, really, it could use a bit more fine-tuning (much like your social skills).

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