POPUCOM Review

POPUCOM is the latest brainchild from developer Hypergryph and publisher Gryph Frontier, taking a bold step into the world of cooperative 3D puzzle platforming. Known for their work on the popular mobile strategy game Arknights, Hypergryph surprises fans with this colorful departure. 

POPUCOM is a physics-defying, family-friendly title wearing its influences on its sleeve, although it never feels derivative. Released across multiple platforms, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and PlayStation, POPUCOM delivers a co-op experience that cleverly fuses color-matching combat, tight platforming mechanics, and vibrant environmental puzzles in a package that feels fresh, nostalgic, and frantic all at once.

POPUCOM introduces players to the whimsical world of Pancake, a city under siege by tar-like creatures called Pomus. A mysterious cosmic monster is summoning them to bring ruin, and it's up to a pair of new recruits—custom-created by players—to build a massive missile and stop the threat. Guiding you through this charming adventure is Yoki, a bubbly egg-shaped robot who outlines your mission: rescue lost goodiebots and use their help to finish the missile.

Despite its simple premise, the narrative manages to engage players with subtle world-building, quirky characters, and visual storytelling. Each area introduces distinct biomes, enemies, and mechanics, tied together by the lighthearted yet urgent mission to save the world. 

POPUCOM doesn't burden players with heavy exposition but rather lets its world speak through gameplay, environments, and NPC interactions. The setup works well with the fast-paced nature of the game, giving just enough background to keep the action interesting without slowing it down.

POPUCOM also adds to its story with collectible lore, scattered notes, and optional conversations with Goodiebots that have been saved. These pieces tell stories about how the Pomus came to be, the unusual technology used to create the missile, and the ancient aliens influencing the war. The happy mood is matched with hints of terrible things that happened in the past. 

This creates a story with two sides that reward reading and paying attention. The world of Pancake, while cartoony, harbors layers of mystery that unfold as players engage with it, encouraging curiosity and bonding them through discovery as much as through teamwork.

POPUCOM is built entirely around two-player cooperation. There is no single-player option, and progression is impossible without coordination. The gameplay loop revolves around a series of levels filled with environmental hazards, color-coded enemies, and puzzle-solving that require simultaneous action and communication. 

Both local and online co-op are available, with smooth performance across PC and PlayStation platforms. Each player wields a rainbow blaster that shoots colored pellets. To beat an enemy, you have to match three or more pellets of the same color. This means that players have to plan their shots by matching their own unique color pairs. In puzzles, this concept also applies to doors, platforms, and traps that only open or close when a certain color is used. 

This idea is always changing in the game, so each new level requires you to think in a new way. Players can get more tools besides the blaster, such as a shield that can be deployed and used as a platform, a morph ball that can break through walls, a drone arm for picking up things far away, and a swap gun for teleporting with objects. 

Because these tools often require both players to sync up in complicated ways, they encourage creativity and improvisation. These game features never stay the same because the game often changes them or adds new ones.

Combat in POPUCOM is cleverly built into the way puzzles work. To beat enemies, you need to use pattern identification, teamwork, and timing, not just brute force. Boss fights add another level of difficulty, and they usually involve ducking projectiles, jumping off of platforms while under a lot of pressure, and shooting at the same time.

Puzzle design ranges from straightforward to delightfully complex. You'll guide wind-up toys across traps, use morph balls to break walls, or align platforms in perfect rhythm. Some puzzles even resemble DDR pads or arcade mazes, transforming how you perceive standard-level design. The difficulty isn't in raw challenge but in collaboration—success is rarely about individual skill and more about mutual problem-solving.

As the game progresses, later puzzles begin to blend previously introduced mechanics, requiring layered use of gadgets, precise timing, and multitasking. Platform-switching races, in which one player has to run while the other flips tiles, and color-coded mazes, in which players must shoot at the same time to keep paths open, are some of the difficulties. 

This multi-level approach makes the game interesting and keeps your mind working. The creative way the puzzles are put together makes sure that even though the rules are known, the combinations are always new and interesting. POPUCOM always uses its cooperative design to take on new challenges and work together in a fun way, turning each good puzzle into a moment of shared success.

POPUCOM's greatest strength is its consistency in introducing new mechanics. Anytime you flip platforms with a timed switch or chain teleportation devices to cross gaps, each level has its own hook. Players will stay interested because the game is always changing.

However, color confusion can be a mild issue. The game sometimes uses color cues in ways that aren't intuitive, especially when yellow is assigned as a universal interactable despite also being a player color. This has caused moments of hesitation and miscommunication. 

Boss variety could also be improved; while several encounters stand out, many recycle earlier mechanics with minimal innovation. Still, the synergy between puzzle-solving and combat remains strong, and with no life system in place, experimentation is encouraged rather than punished.

There isn't a standard leveling system in POPUCOM, but collecting Goodiebots, getting stickers, and unlocking costumes are all ways to move forward in the game. Goodiebots let you play more levels and make your base better. Stickers and other items add to the game's story and let you make it more your own. Every stage has secrets that can only be found by being curious and exploring everything in depth.

Party Mode, which supports up to four players, unlocks exclusive cosmetics and minigame content. Currency gathered through levels or Party Mode can be spent in the Pancake hub's shop, where players can unlock new outfits, voices, and gear. DLC outfits exist but never restrict core gameplay, and the game is refreshingly generous with its unlocks.

Visually, POPUCOM is a feast for the senses. It adopts a bright, cartoonish art style similar to Splatoon but leans more into vibrant environmental design than urban grunge. Levels feel distinct thanks to creative theming—deserts, industrial zones, sky towers—and each biome is populated with colorful enemies and interactive gadgets.

Adding a layer of humor, character animations are fluid and expressive. The Pancake hub is bursting with charm, and watching your missile build up piece-by-piece provides visual motivation. Some things may be repeated from one level to the next, but the creative way each area is presented makes it new.

The technical performance is stable, and there aren't many frame drops, even during busy scenes. The user interface is clean, and important visual cues are easy to spot. This makes the game easy to play without losing visual complexity.

The music in POPUCOM is a strange mix of techno trance, old-school arcade beats, and happy orchestral touches. From the jazzy tones of the early levels to the powerful boss music that gets your heart racing, each zone has its own sound that fits with its theme. The music complements the action and pace of the game well.

There are strong and well-tuned sound effects. Shooting pellets, landing a three-hit combo, or deploying gadgets feels satisfying, with clear audio feedback. Voice acting is minimal, but the charm of NPCs and the musical motifs carry the emotional weight. Ambient sounds, such as machinery hums, bounces, and explosions, round out the immersive audio design.

POPUCOM is an unexpected gem in the co-op puzzle-platformer genre. What begins as a quirky shooter evolves into a masterclass of collaborative game design. It draws inspiration from various genres—platformers, arcade shooters and puzzle games but blends them into a cohesive and delightful experience. With levels that continually reinvent themselves, gadgets that inspire creativity, and a structure that rewards exploration, POPUCOM proves that two heads are better than one.

Even though the experience is slightly harmed by things like confusing color cues and average arcade games, these flaws are easily forgotten because of how charming and well-made the game is. Every moment feels like a happy celebration of teamwork, from building a missile with a friend to throwing gadgets at the same time in the middle of a fight.

Hypergryph has managed to create a game that welcomes all ages and skill levels without compromising depth. With around 11 hours of main content, collectible hunts, and Party Mode chaos, POPUCOM earns its place as a standout couch co-op title. It's chaotic, creative, and bursting with heart—and hopefully, a sign of more surprises from Hypergryph's growing universe.