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Review of PO'ed: Definitive Edition on Xbox Series X/S

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo May 2024
Cover image of PO'ed: Definitive Edition on Xbox Series X/S
Gamefings Score: 7
Released: 16 May 2024
Genre: First-person shooter
Developer: Nightdive Studios
Publisher: Nightdive Studios

Introduction

Welcome to the strange culinary cosmos of PO'ed: Definitive Edition, where our hero is less an action star and more a culinary school dropout who just crash-landed on a planet full of angry aliens. You're probably wondering, is this a cooking simulator gone horribly wrong? Well, let's dig in and decipher the delightful madness with some ridiculous analogies and maybe a dash of wit. Spoiler: it's not about whipping up soufflés.

Gameplay

In this first-person shooter, you play as a disgruntled chef. Wait, before you draw conclusions, let's clarify - this chef isn't one for delicate soufflés. No, he's armed with bizarre weapons including, but not limited to, a frying pan (oh, the irony), a drill, and even some pointy alien gadgets. It's like Iron Chef meets Aliens, and no one filed for copyright infringement. Serious gameplay here brings you through 26 convoluted levels filled with alien foes who apparently dislike being poked at with kitchen supplies. But brace yourself, 'cause once you throw on the jet pack (which admittedly sounds way cooler than it is), you'll be zooming through the air like a confused bird. Which might lead you to wonder, 'Is this flying, or am I just very bad at gravity?' One key twist: pressing the jump button does not lead to hovering-but flamboyant ascension or plummeting death. Get ready for that steep learning curve. With physics that resemble a toddler learning to ride a bike, you'll bounce off of surfaces and spiral through levels, wondering how you ended up on Alien World: Pan-fried Edition. While fighting aliens, your focus is to escape this strange culinary hellhole and uncover the 'why' behind your unpleasant culinary career choice. Yeah, it might be tough, but prior experience in playing 'You Have One Job' could come in handy here. You'll have to think fast, dodge quick, and maybe use that frying pan like a true martial artist if you hope to survive the onslaught of angry extraterrestrial chefs who seem more offended by culinary critiques than any Yelp reviewer ever.

Graphics

Let's talk visuals, which feel like they've been plucked straight from an '90s mood board. Nostalgically pixelated, PO'ed: Definitive Edition feels like you're being transported right back to the ups and downs of arcade classics-only all the games decided to have a psychedelic baby together. Imagine bright greens, deep purples, and bizarre alien designs clashing against the backdrop of kitchenware in a way that makes your inner child go, 'Whoa! What did I just eat?!' Objects and characters move with a peculiar charm and clunky elegance that's eerily reminiscent of early 3D experiences. It's the kind of nostalgia that makes you go 'ah,' before realizing that it actually might better suit a museum than being thrown into the competitive world of modern gaming graphics. But hey, it's a delightful trip back in time, and it captures that retro spirit that some of us can't quite shake off, like that last candy bar you shouldn't have eaten in the middle of the night.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, PO'ed: Definitive Edition serves up a raunchy mix of humor, nostalgia, and colorful chaos that simultaneously hits you with alien thrill and culinary horror. It's about as coherent as a food fight at a geometry awards ceremony. Sure, it's probably not going to win any 'Game of the Year' accolades, but it offers a delightful reprieve from the more serious titles crowding the gaming landscape. If you're looking for something wildly eccentric and nostalgic with enough charm to make your inner child gleefully scream, then grab a frying pan and hop on this kitchen chaos spaceship. Just remember: Whether you're dodging laser beams or flipping burgers, your main focus should be-don't take it too seriously, and get ready for the ride. Who knows? You might just end up with a few culinary tips along the way!

See Latest Prices for PO'ed: Definitive Edition on Xbox Series X/S on Amazon

See Prices for PO'ed: Definitive Edition on Xbox Series X/S on Ebay

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