I had never heard of Pode before last week. Originally released for the Nintendo Switch on June 21st, 2018, Pode was simply one of those games that was completely off my radar. But, thanks to the developers at Henchman & Goon, I got a chance to try it out for myself in time for its brand new release on the PlayStation 4!
Since I knew next to nothing about Pode previously, I was able to jump right in with completely fresh eyes. Nevertheless, I was a bit skeptical. When it comes to small indie titles like this, it’s a virtual tossup; I can think of more than a few promising indie titles that ended up disappointing miserably once I got my hands on them. Lucky for me, Pode is simply not one of those games.
If you’re a PlayStation fan like myself and don’t own a Nintendo Switch, then odds are you also haven’t heard of Pode before now. Let me fill you in. Better yet, I’ll let the developers do it themselves.
“Pode is the story of a little rock helping a fallen star find its way home. As they travel through the insides of a mysterious and magical mountain, Bulder and Glo breathe life into an ancient sleeping world and explore the ruins of a long lost civilization with their unique talents and abilities. Only by helping each other can these unlikely adventure companions solve the ancient puzzles that open the secret passageways up the caverns of Mount Fjellheim. Pode is a co-op puzzle exploration game built around the themes of friendship and cooperation, with a strong emphasis on positive actions, relaxing atmosphere and beautiful art inspired by Norwegian culture.”
Immediately, Pode teaches the player its core mechanics. Working together, Bulder and Glo each bring something unique to the table. Bulder, being made of rock, can control other rocks, either by sucking them up into his mouth or making them grow. He can also gather Glo into his mouth, capable of shooting her (I don’t know their genders just work with me here) across gaps. Glo, on the other hand, has the ability to make plants grow, creating new platforms and activating magical switches. Glo can also float, which is useful for crossing certain gaps.
So, we have our two heroes, but what’s our mission? Early in their journey, Bulder and Glo encounter an imposing wall located within a desolate and mysterious mountain. Surrounding the door are different passageways to access the various parts of the mountain. As they explore, the adorable duo discover that at the end of each zone is a magical gate that will restore a portion of natural harmony to the mountain.
While Pode is a good single-player experience, it is actually meant to be a cooperative game. Grab a couch with your best friend and take control of either Bulder or Glo, helping each other with your distinct talents to return harmony to Mount Fjellheim. So far, I haven’t had any problems solving the puzzles on my own, but having a friend on your side could make the puzzling even more relaxing and enjoyable.
On top of all that, this game is freakin’ adorable. I mean, just look at these two! Their design is very charming with their squat little bodies and cartoonish eyes. In order to make your life easier and move them around faster, they even hold hands! That is so cute! This game just tugs at my heart strings in all the best ways.
Of course, all this isn’t to say that Pode is a perfect game. In my time playing, I did come across a few things that I found lamentable. For instance, growing rocks and plants–which is totally optional–will sometimes harm visibility, and due to the game’s camera angle there are some jumps that aren’t as easy as they should be. Pode has already been out in its Switch form for almost a year, so things like these are probably here to stay. Despite rough moments such as these, Pode does stick the landing as a charming and relaxing experience.
Even though I had heard nothing about it before this year, I have been having a lot of fun with Pode thus far. Have you been playing Pode? Leave your thoughts int he comments below!
