Pompom
Review

Pompom (2022) is a running and jumping game where you are a hamster on a mission to save your owner from an evil cat. However, you don't control the hamster but place platforms (and springs, whips, umbrellas, cannons) to ensure he can progress.

The hamster has his own movement as he explores and jumps his way through the levels. You need to understand this behaviour so you can move platforms and items to provide a safe way forward. Drop springs, build bridges, slash vines and illuminate ghosts. As you progress you work through 8 worlds including outer space, beaches full of flying fish and ancient temples inside deep jungles.

You collect the blocks and items to use in the level by defeating enemies and bursting bubbles. Use every item at your disposal: fly out of cannons, swing on ropes, slash vines, splash honey, freeze time and much more. It takes time to use them, but you only have a limited amount of time for these decisions.

The result is a really unusual platform game where quick reactions and precise jumps are left to Pompom to execute, while you take the role of a level designer.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Pompom 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated a year ago.