POPUCOM Review: A Creative Co-op Masterpiece with Flaws

POPUCOM builds its entire experience on a foundation of mandatory cooperation, centered around a clever color-matching system. The game is unplayable solo, and for good reason. Each of the two players wields a Rainbow Blaster capable of firing two distinct colors, while their partner commands two entirely different ones.

This design transforms every combat encounter against the blob-like “Pomus” enemies into a frantic, cooperative version of Puzzle Bobble. Success requires you to communicate and coordinate, firing blobs to create matches of three, which is the only way to defeat foes. If an enemy is purple and that color isn’t in your palette, you are completely reliant on your teammate.

This same color-coded logic extends to the world’s puzzles. Platforms, switches, and energy barriers are all keyed to specific colors, forcing players to work in tandem to create a path forward. One player might need to hold a switch of their color to allow their partner to cross a bridge that has just materialized.

When you and your partner finally synchronize your actions—clearing a path or taking down a large enemy formation in a flurry of perfectly timed shots—the feeling is immensely satisfying. The game encourages this experimentation with a forgiving system where falling off a platform results in a quick respawn and lost health can be physically recollected, removing much of the sting from failure.

A Perilous and Inventive Playground

Beyond the color-matching, your problem-solving abilities are tested by a growing arsenal of gadgets unlocked during the campaign. The toolkit is reminiscent of classic 3D platformers, offering a Shield that can block attacks or become a platform for an ally, and a Bomb that functions like a Metroid-style morph ball for destroying weak walls. The Drone can yoink helmets off enemies or grab distant objects, while a Grapple allows you to swap places with specific items to cross large gaps.

Where POPUCOM truly excels is in its world design. Each stage feels like a self-contained puzzle box, constantly introducing new gimmicks that re-contextualize how you use your tools. The creativity on display keeps the experience fresh from start to finish.

This inventiveness is unfortunately hampered by a rigid, forward-only progression. The level design does not allow for backtracking. If you miss a collectible sticker or a hidden Goodiebot, your only option is to restart the entire level from the beginning, a frustrating limitation for completionists that feels at odds with the game’s otherwise accessible nature.

Confronting the Planetary Threat

Combat demands constant awareness of your partner’s position and capabilities. Boss encounters escalate this concept, presenting large-scale puzzles where victory hinges on teamwork. These multi-stage fights often require players to target and destroy specific color-coded bubbles on the boss’s limbs to diminish their attacks or expose a central weak point. It’s a clever application of the core mechanic that makes for some engaging set-piece moments.

While clever in theory, the boss roster suffers from a noticeable lack of variety. Too often you find yourself facing a slightly altered version of a previous foe, which lessens the impact of what should be climatic encounters. This issue is compounded by a glaring omission in the control scheme: the lack of a dedicated dodge or roll.

When a boss prepares a massive ground slam or a wide sweeping attack, your only recourse is a jump that feels entirely inadequate for the task. This can lead to moments of frustration where taking damage feels unavoidable, not because of a mistake in strategy, but because your movement options are so limited.

Style, Side Activities, and Customization

Visually, POPUCOM is an explosion of energy. Its vibrant, cartoonish style and expressive chibi character designs are immediately appealing, sharing some aesthetic DNA with a series like Splatoon. The upbeat, funky electronic soundtrack perfectly matches this high-energy presentation, creating a consistently cheerful atmosphere. This is all supported by solid technical performance, with a smooth framerate and reliable netcode that ensures the cooperative action proceeds without a hitch.

Between missions, you return to the “Pancake” hub world, where you can visit the cosmetic shop or try your hand at the arcade. The shop allows you to unlock a host of outfits and accessories, and its lack of aggressive monetization is a welcome touch. This positive is somewhat undercut by a strange system that uses two separate currencies: one earned in the campaign and another from the distinct “Party Mode.”

This can feel restrictive, pushing players toward a specific mode to unlock the items they want. The arcade is similarly a mixed bag. A fantastic cooperative space shooter, reminiscent of the classic polarity-switching gameplay of Ikaruga, is a genuine highlight. However, it sits alongside other mini-games, like a clunky volleyball game, that are hampered by poor controls and are far less engaging.