Pompom

Pompom is a charming and inventive puzzle-platformer that immediately sets itself apart by asking the player to rethink what it means to “control” a character. Developed by TOMO CAMP and published by PID Games alongside Dear Villagers, the game stars a small but determined hamster on a spacefaring rescue mission. Rather than directly guiding Pompom’s movements, the player acts as an unseen helper who manipulates the environment itself, shaping safe paths and solving spatial challenges so that the hero can continue forward on his own. This single design decision defines the entire experience and gives the game a distinctive identity within the crowded platformer genre. The story is lighthearted but effective, framing the adventure with emotional clarity and playful energy. After a mysterious cosmic event, Pompom’s human companion is kidnapped by a gang of cartoonishly villainous space pirates led by Captain Cat. What follows is a journey across strange planets and hazardous landscapes, driven by Pompom’s unwavering determination. The narrative never overstays its welcome, but it provides just enough motivation to contextualize the escalating challenges and give each new world a sen…

Pompom is a great game that reminds me of super Mario world, Kirby, and earthbound. I first wanted to play this game with my controller, and soon found out that, it would be very difficult, so I unfortunately had to turn off my controller, and switch to mouse in order to play this game properly. The gameplay is pretty frustrating sometimes, especially on the first world you get. I find myself having to place platforms in specific spots in order to play the level kind of properly, say, the wrecking ball levels. Tough it is my fault because I do not want to enable 3rd chance mode. I find it kind of funny and cool how there is smoothing in this game. kind of like how emulators or whatever do. it also moves in pixels which makes it better!

Criminally underrated!

very cute little game with incredible SNES inspired music by chordbug (bless her soul)

I really wanted to like this game but ugh. Levels need more playtesting honestly. I should NOT have spent around 45 minutes on a level in the first world.

An overall solid game with heavy inspiration (if not just straight up assets lifted) from Kirby and Super Mario World. This 6/10 game would've been a 7 or 8 if not for the broken as hell poorly designed levels such as the rope swings, bee honey levels, minecart tracks and a few more I am too traumatized to remember. You sometimes won't know who to be madder at, the developer or Pompom himself for being a suicidal maniac. Don't feel bad using 3rd chance mode on levels that are obviously broken, seems like the developer knew it was unfair and unbalanced at times but wanted to get the project out the door. All the QA testers in the end credits need to be incarcerated too!