Analysis of Popotinho's adventures on Xbox

Popotinho's Adventures is a platform adventure featuring… an egg? Or is it a white ball? We will never know…

Although big-budget AAA games predominate in the market, From time to time we must make room for more humble independent proposals. This is the case that concerns us today, since it is a title developed by a single person. It is about The Adventure of Popotinho, a project created by Rafael VF and published by Eastasiasoft where the essence of classic platformers is captured in a very simple way. Do you want to know what awaits our white protagonist?

A severe punishment

Not an egg, not a ball, not a hippopotamus. Popotinho is a rebellious boy, who one day behaves badly in front of his parents. I don't know if this will be the best way to educate children (not for me), but these parents decide to abandon the child to his fate and let him return home alone on a path strewn with dangers. A way for the son to become strong, even if he perishes along the way if he falls into a ravine.

If you like platform games, don't hesitate to check out our analysis of Policán: a dog day

Beyond the educational forms of their parents, In Popotinho's Adventure we will have to overcome a total of 50 levels full of spikes, enemies and holes. We will have nothing to defend ourselves and we will only have the ability to double jump to overcome obstacles and eliminate rivals by bouncing on them. Come on, a very classic playable pattern that will accompany us during the long half hour that the game lasts.

Forced vacation in the forest

At this stage of the game, any innovative idea is always good, whether it's an independent title or a larger product. And that's what's missing from this game in question. He drinks so much on such simple platforming bases that he eventually gets bored. Except in the last screens where spring-loaded mobile platforms and occasional rotating saws mix, the rest is too basic. Without a story to follow, with a fairly random scenario design and without implicit difficulty that “pushes” us to bring out the best player within us.

The power of the double jump

In fact, from level 35 onwards, the screens last less, as if there was already a lack of ideas implicit in the creation of the levels. And that can't happen, even if you're self-employed. We will have three types of enemies to defeat, with no specific attack beyond following us for a while. And nothing more… no bonus phases, no final enemies or anything at all. For those who are initiated into these areas, this can offer something interesting because it is new, but there are closer and more accessible proposals, with a more coherent level design.

The control system is acceptable. Our child from Popotinho's Adventure moves well, the execution of the double jump is acceptable and the response to commands is good. What's not so good is the “hitbox” of certain enemies. There is a crow as an enemy which is deceptive, because if we jump on the summit it does not recognize it as an impact zone and will surely “troll” us on more than one occasion. The scenarios well… beyond the design change every 10 phases and the color they propose, they offer no logic either in the design or in the duration to achieve them.

Conclusion of Popotinho's adventure

It's very difficult to launch an independent proposition these days and release it on a home console. What Rafael VR has done is worthy of praise, because he alone designed his project, and thanks to the people at Eastasiasoft we can enjoy it on our Xbox. It's a shame that in the end we find ourselves faced with a platform that is too simple. We have a character with a double jump who must complete a total of 50 phases. 50 phases that behave very similarly, don't innovate beyond implementing occasional obstacles, and don't have an eye-catching design. Of course, the control is compliant and fully playable, but we are missing a fresh and modern idea that joins the classic essence that platform games offer us. Hopefully this is this developer's starting point, and from now on we'll see fresher ideas with their own personal touch.