Nothing gold can stay, as Robert Frost wrote. But maybe it can go away for a while and come back. This is the case of Poinpy. The mobile game debuted in 2022 and was available exclusively to Netflix subscribers.
However, the streaming service removed Poinpy from its lineup in June of last year, making it almost impossible to play. This saddened me greatly, because I love this game. At the time, publisher Devolver Digital said it hoped to bring Poinpy to other platforms in the future.
My friends, the future is now and it is magnificent, because Poinpy is back on iOS and Android. Best of all, it’s completely free. No microtransactions, no ads, no nothing. Free. This is the best price. He never leaves my phone again.
Poinpy is a more colorful reversal of developer Ojiro Fumoto’s previous game, Downwell. Instead of venturing into a well, Poinpy sees you jump and bounce upwards through procedurally generated environments. You will have to harvest the right fruits to prepare juice for the hungry beast that follows you.
You have a limited number of jumps to collect the fruits required for each cocktail, but you can chain them together and restore jump orbs by stomping on pots and enemies. Over time, you’ll unlock permanent upgrades and take bonuses with you on every run. Poinpy is technically a roguelite. Feed the beast enough of the right cocktails and you’ll witness a beautiful ending and post-credits scene that explains why you need to satiate said creature.
Poinpy is a perfect platform game. This might be my favorite game of the decade so far. Everything is beautifully done, from the way it carries itself to Error403’s gorgeous artwork and Calum Bowen’s captivating soundtrack. And now it’s free, so it’s even better. (There is an in-game option to tip Fumoto, if you wish.)
Look, things are not good in our world. They haven’t been for some time. We must bring our joy where we can. Poinpy is pure joy. For today at least, my heart is full.
