Pony Island

 PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 260 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 161 out of 260
  2. Mixed: 62 out of 260
  3. Negative: 37 out of 260

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  1. pkody337
    Jul 16, 2023
    8
    It's a magical game about ponys you can play in one sitting. It goes on sale for a dollar often so I would definitely recommend it for that price.
  2. Avey123Avey
    Mar 19, 2023
    3
    This game is very very short and yet still manages to get repetitive and dull. The subversions here hardly work because the game immediately blows its own load before you even played for five minutes. It's not terrible but there's no reason to play this instead of Daniel Mullians other games.
  3. Wrathzo
    Mar 22, 2022
    5
    Pony Island is a video game developed and published by Canadian indie developer Daniel Mullins. As a metafictional game, the game has the player interact with what appears to be an old arcade cabinet game called "Pony Island". The player soon discovers the game is corrupted by Lucifer himself, who is trying to claim the player's soul for itself. The player is aided by the soul of aPony Island is a video game developed and published by Canadian indie developer Daniel Mullins. As a metafictional game, the game has the player interact with what appears to be an old arcade cabinet game called "Pony Island". The player soon discovers the game is corrupted by Lucifer himself, who is trying to claim the player's soul for itself. The player is aided by the soul of a previous player who helps the player access Pony Island's internal programming to get around the traps left by Lucifer and save not only their soul, but the many tormented souls that are trapped within the game's code.… Expand
  4. Archound
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    I wanted to give 9/10, but I started to think about the drawbacks... and I've found none. One could not simply make this game better, it excels all its ambitions. Must play for computer games lovers (this title will become classic like Portal or Stanley Parable).
  5. chumpwithnoname
    Apr 28, 2021
    3
    Interesting concept but gets boring and repetitious pretty fast because best part of the game is not really the main time spending part (side scrolling and puzzles).
  6. tom_harding
    Dec 28, 2020
    7
    A very short and very sweet metagame. I can't actually say anymore without spoiling it so just go and play... You won't regret it. Afterwards go and learn your fractions with Frog Fractions.
  7. kezzyhko
    Aug 5, 2020
    7
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  8. Moromete
    Apr 30, 2020
    9
    The sheer shock of moving from one wild idea to another makes Pony Island one of the most surprising and engaging recent indie titles. Daniel Mullins knows how to break the fourth wall in increasingly entertaining and somewhat deranged ways and the soundtrack and visuals really help sell the entire experience. The final four or so of the game could have benefited from a little more careThe sheer shock of moving from one wild idea to another makes Pony Island one of the most surprising and engaging recent indie titles. Daniel Mullins knows how to break the fourth wall in increasingly entertaining and somewhat deranged ways and the soundtrack and visuals really help sell the entire experience. The final four or so of the game could have benefited from a little more care but overall this is one of the best game and meta experiences of 2016.… Expand
  9. Crimert
    Apr 6, 2020
    1
    Very frustrating puzzles! I couldn't bear it! I could play only 20min on record!
  10. Grahl1
    Oct 5, 2019
    6
    An enjoyable 2 hour experience.
    A lot of love went into this game. It definitely had the potential to fullfil its main ambition (to break the 4th wall) but it doesn't do it.
    Worth buying, but it's not a 10.

    6.5/10
  11. alexpetal
    Apr 8, 2019
    10
    The game is extremely well done and is unique to every other game I've played. The fourth wall is broken multiple times and there are quite a few characters other than just ponies. The easter eggs were hard but fun to find. It manages to keep the game creepy and scares you without the need of jumpscares. I love the 'Show don't tell' with the puzzles and just the puzzles overall. The onlyThe game is extremely well done and is unique to every other game I've played. The fourth wall is broken multiple times and there are quite a few characters other than just ponies. The easter eggs were hard but fun to find. It manages to keep the game creepy and scares you without the need of jumpscares. I love the 'Show don't tell' with the puzzles and just the puzzles overall. The only problem I have with this game is near the end where it's shown that it was obviously made for Windows 7 and definitely needs an update so it can change depending on what OS you're using.… Expand
  12. Jhaerik
    Mar 15, 2019
    3
    If you have more hair gel than hair, wear long sleeved button-up shirts in the summer, you're favorite pass-time is sipping chai lattes, and your boyfriends name is Chuck... you'll love this game.

    For us Folgers drinking working fathers of the world the appeal of this game lasts just slightly longer than the install time. It tries very hard to be funny, but just ends up being juvenile.    If you have more hair gel than hair, wear long sleeved button-up shirts in the summer, you're favorite pass-time is sipping chai lattes, and your boyfriends name is Chuck... you'll love this game.

    For us Folgers drinking working fathers of the world the appeal of this game lasts just slightly longer than the install time. It tries very hard to be funny, but just ends up being juvenile. Unfun gameplay and "stylistic" (stylistic is just another word for lazy folks) artwork can not be made up for by the "OMG 4th wall WTF less me tweet about this" crap. Ok? I

    It's a bad game that seems to have fooled a lot of folks into thinking they are somehow witty for finding it "cool." It's bad in the same way Starbucks made billions off selling terrible coffee. Ok?

    3/10 It runs. What more can you say.    … Expand
  13. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    8
    Simplistic game, but creative and interesting to play to the end. I would recommend it.
  14. iseeall
    Mar 4, 2018
    8
    It's an unusual puzzle game where you attempt to escape from a bugged arcade machine with a stupid endless runner game which has an evil AI and won't let you leave. It's a unique experience, and basically every next puzzle is unlike those you've seen previously, so the game keeps asking you to think out-of-the-box all the time.

    Good: - nice retro feel from the late 80s - early 90s,    It's an unusual puzzle game where you attempt to escape from a bugged arcade machine with a stupid endless runner game which has an evil AI and won't let you leave. It's a unique experience, and basically every next puzzle is unlike those you've seen previously, so the game keeps asking you to think out-of-the-box all the time.

    Good:
    - nice retro feel from the late 80s - early 90s, achieved with graphics and sounds
    - unusual puzzles which don't repeat themselves
    - the humor of it all: you stumble in the dark trying to figure out what's happening and what this game is actually about. I suppose the author also puts a question here what makes a game a game, or what a game is? Since the game itself (Pony Island endless runner) is boring as hell, and fiddling around with hacks, bugs and options is the real game.

    So-so:
    - it's a puzzle, so, no replay value. And often you are stuck and just move around the screens doing random things, trying to guess what the author wanted from you this time. And since it all mostly doesn't make sense, it can get frustrating. But that's just what puzzles are about. If you aren't really into puzzles, you may drop it in the middle.

    Bad:
    - nothing really    … Expand
  15. FireSpark_
    Feb 21, 2018
    10
    Какая же это годнота, просто слов нет.
    Интересно с самого начало, не оторвать глаз. Очень понравилась вся эта идея с хаками и измениния уровней.
    Музыка в играх меня не всегда особо впечятлала, да и здесь я не вслушивался, однако она подходила под моменты. Головоломки не из самых трудных, но всё-же интересны. Сам же геймплей просто шикарен, красочно и красиво (разнообразие как таковое    Какая же это годнота, просто слов нет.
    Интересно с самого начало, не оторвать глаз. Очень понравилась вся эта идея с хаками и измениния уровней.
    Музыка в играх меня не всегда особо впечятлала, да и здесь я не вслушивался, однако она подходила под моменты. Головоломки не из самых трудных, но всё-же интересны. Сам же геймплей просто шикарен, красочно и красиво (разнообразие как таковое имеется). Так же разные варианты прохождения и не одна концовка.
    Сюжет (хоть и не полностью раскрыт гг но он шикарен) 8/10
    Музыка (на самом деле трудно мне оценивать, но..) 7/10
    Геймплей 10/10    … Expand
  16. RagingPoet
    Nov 8, 2017
    8
    Pony island has very engaging mechanics when it comes to emulating buggy devil-possessed OS and puzzles are mostly nice. Arcade parts are not very fun, but short and easy, so you won't spent too much time doing them.
  17. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    10
    This is a super clever game that goes about its satire of other video games in a way that is very over the top and ridiculous but also well thought out. I really enjoyed it and have played through it 3 times now.
  18. RMDsilva
    Aug 28, 2017
    8
    Super unexpected, funny and old school gaming - the best is how it makes you play simple games and make you alert to whatever oddball might be coming at you next
    wish it was bigger, more complex, varied and a little deeper (:
  19. Klewer
    Aug 12, 2017
    7
    Definitely worth a look. Interesting concept of playing a game in a game which is corrupted. It's not a overly long game, maybe 2-3 hours out of it. At the right place it is worth a look as it's a quite different to the norm.
  20. auditbadger
    Jul 30, 2017
    7
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  21. Ostrypwns
    Apr 28, 2017
    10
    It is rarely that after finishing a game I rush to metacritic page to review it with a perfect score. It is also rare for me to finish even short games - and Pony Island definitely qualifies as such - in just one sitting. This game is an adventure unlike any other that made me feel as if indeed I was trapped inside some insidious machine that wouldn't let me out - not without a fight. ItIt is rarely that after finishing a game I rush to metacritic page to review it with a perfect score. It is also rare for me to finish even short games - and Pony Island definitely qualifies as such - in just one sitting. This game is an adventure unlike any other that made me feel as if indeed I was trapped inside some insidious machine that wouldn't let me out - not without a fight. It is also the best game I've ever played featuring satan as the main antagonist, and simply one of the best games I've ever played. It will make you think, it will make you laugh, it will make you ask "what is a video game?", and it does not overstay its welcome. So what is Pony Island? It is a favour that you owe to yourself. Get it and enjoy, you will be pleased (if you have at least half a brain that is).… Expand
  22. tremault
    Apr 5, 2017
    8
    There is a point where I said out loud "This game is freaking genius!". My brother can vouch for that.
    It is very clever.
    I have to be honest, the segments where you play the endless runner portion are sometimes a bit too challenging for my tastes, but I would just knuckle under and get through them because the rest of it is really rather clever. I won't spoil it by telling you why, but    There is a point where I said out loud "This game is freaking genius!". My brother can vouch for that.
    It is very clever.
    I have to be honest, the segments where you play the endless runner portion are sometimes a bit too challenging for my tastes, but I would just knuckle under and get through them because the rest of it is really rather clever.
    I won't spoil it by telling you why, but chances are you've already seen a ton of spoilers. If you haven't then don't read any more reviews and just play the game. It's better that way.    … Expand
  23. stop9091
    Nov 20, 2016
    8
    A very strange puzzle game.

    The narrative is a meta-game: the player plays the hacking of a videogame machine in order to escape it (!).

    The difficulty of the puzzles is low, but not trivial.

    It is very fascinating though. It will take only a few hours to complete, so it's definitely worth trying it.
  24. drlowdon
    Nov 3, 2016
    8
    To be honest it’s hard to know where to begin when describing Pony Island but, suffice to say, it’s very clever and unlike anything else you’ll have ever played. In gameplay terms it largely consists of endless runner style segments and abstract puzzles but you really have to just try it for yourself to even you’re going to have any understanding of exactly how it works.
  25. TitaniumDragon
    Nov 1, 2016
    5
    Pony Island is one of those very meta games. You appear to be playing a game on an old arcade machine, but as the game progresses, it quickly becomes clear that the arcade may not be what it seems, and the game itself is not what it seems. Satan seems to want your soul, and you, quite obviously, aren’t going to give it to him.

    Played via a virtual CRT monitor, the game quickly breaks    Pony Island is one of those very meta games. You appear to be playing a game on an old arcade machine, but as the game progresses, it quickly becomes clear that the arcade may not be what it seems, and the game itself is not what it seems. Satan seems to want your soul, and you, quite obviously, aren’t going to give it to him.

    Played via a virtual CRT monitor, the game quickly breaks down. The core game of Pony Island, where you play a pony jumping over a series of barriers, is broken up with puzzles involving redirecting keys to hack the game, as well as desktop sections where you communicate with another person trapped in the game, as well as constant mockery from Lucifer himself, who tries to convince you to give him your soul to unlock (intentionally terrible) gameplay, and who complains as you keep breaking his games (he worked so hard on them!).

    Over the course of the game, you confront three demons in three different battles of wits and solve a number of fairly simple puzzles, all while the game holds up a very thin sheen of not being some sort of demonic thing that might cost you your soul.

    Unfortunately, while the game itself is a neat concept, all in all it isn’t terribly fun to *play*. The actual gameplay is intentionally simple and samey, and unfortunately, hanging a lampshade on that fact doesn’t make it any more fun. The puzzles are okay but generally nothing to write home about, and while the sheer variability of the thing is interesting at times, at other times you are spending very long stretches doing the same thing over and over again, which just isn’t very much fun.

    The core game of Pony Island is deliberately bad and unfortunately, deliberately bad is still bad.

    All in all, I can’t really recommend this. It is a neat idea, but it just doesn’t really end up feeling like it has enough payoff to be worthwhile. It lacks the feeling of profundity you got from games like The Talos Principle; instead, it is just very simplistic and while it presents itself as what it is, ultimately what it is is nothing all that special. After you understand what it is, there’s little left for you here, and while it is only about two and a half hours long (maybe less), it still wore thin by the end. The moments of cleverness simply aren’t worth the time investment.    … Expand
  26. TenchuuKhan
    Sep 24, 2016
    7
    Narrative awesome, gameplay.... nyah.

    You are trapped in a video game that you need to escape out of. The storytelling here is really fun and awkward. Gameplay dumbs down to clicking around menus to find a backdoor, then you hack it. That however is pretty much only 3 things: 1 - sidescroll a unicorn firing lasers evading obstacles and fighting some enemies. (The sort of sidescroller    Narrative awesome, gameplay.... nyah.

    You are trapped in a video game that you need to escape out of. The storytelling here is really fun and awkward.
    Gameplay dumbs down to clicking around menus to find a backdoor, then you hack it.
    That however is pretty much only 3 things:
    1 - sidescroll a unicorn firing lasers evading obstacles and fighting some enemies. (The sort of sidescroller that automoves)
    2 - you need to get a key into a hole. For this you have several columns and redirect functions to get the key in there
    3 - variant of 2 just that ponies fall down

    Game time: 3-4 hours    … Expand
  27. etc
    Jul 31, 2016
    10
    Amazing game, the game has a very dark story behind, this game broke completely the four wall, and the puzles are so simple and funny at the same moment.

    The complete review here: http://eltentaculochillon.com/analisis-pony-island/ (only in spanish)
  28. ILikeToDoThis
    Jul 3, 2016
    9
    The concept of this game is awesome, but look at something like watchdogs, great concept less than amazing execution. So how did this turn out...... absolutely fantastic. It starts slowly luring you into this creepy arcade world and then transforming into a chaotic self aware story with some of the best and most surprising moments I've had this generation. The one problem with this game isThe concept of this game is awesome, but look at something like watchdogs, great concept less than amazing execution. So how did this turn out...... absolutely fantastic. It starts slowly luring you into this creepy arcade world and then transforming into a chaotic self aware story with some of the best and most surprising moments I've had this generation. The one problem with this game is how YOU NEED TO GO IN BLIND knowing little to nothing about the story to have the best experience which can be very difficult nowadays.

    P.S. Long Live Beelzebub    … Expand
  29. skrik
    Jul 3, 2016
    6
    A very cool concept not that well executed and boring at times (the pony parts & puzzles unfortunately get old). However the third core boss battle was pure genius! Tricked me several times!

    (very slight spoiler on character names ahead) I think if the whole game had been running around that concept ( if satan rather than asmodeus was the one doing these kind of tricks through the game)    A very cool concept not that well executed and boring at times (the pony parts & puzzles unfortunately get old). However the third core boss battle was pure genius! Tricked me several times!

    (very slight spoiler on character names ahead) I think if the whole game had been running around that concept ( if satan rather than asmodeus was the one doing these kind of tricks through the game) it would have been much stronger and immersive.

    Pretty cool chiptune soundtrack too.    … Expand
  30. moysen
    Mar 30, 2016
    2
    I give the game a score of 2 for the few (very few) successful attempts on being funny, as it seems like is the only goal in the game. Overall it was a poor experience with very short, dark and loud/noisy game-play. The story is boring, the dialog, which is an essential part of a game like this, doesn't feel completed and sounds hurt my ears even when it was on very low volume. Normally II give the game a score of 2 for the few (very few) successful attempts on being funny, as it seems like is the only goal in the game. Overall it was a poor experience with very short, dark and loud/noisy game-play. The story is boring, the dialog, which is an essential part of a game like this, doesn't feel completed and sounds hurt my ears even when it was on very low volume. Normally I like games with a little touch of puzzle and humor, but this game just seemed like a waste of time.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PC Game of 2016
71
#71 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
100
#100 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. games(TM)
    Apr 14, 2016
    70
    Clever, unique, inventive but brief and repetitive. [Issue#172, p.91]
    Read full review
  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Apr 12, 2016
    84
    Wretched Devil itself has slithered inside an arcade machine and tenderly shackles the player inside it. Metafictional loop of satanistic ponies wittily dance through an evening it lasts. [Apr 2016]
  3. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    80
    A curious experiment that is really worth taking part in. [03/2016, p.69]
See all critic reviews »