Potatoman Seeks the Troof: Review

Potatoman Seeks the Troof is a short but delightful treat for those who happen upon it.

Video Review

Simply Cool

It is unmistakably retro, from the minimalist Atari-era graphics that reminded me of Pitfall, all the way to its wonderfully simple sound effects and memorable soundtrack. But through all this simplicity and nostalgia, Potatoman still  finds a way to cement itself as a very modern experience.

Short but Sweet

You control Potatoman as he goes on a journey to seek the “troof”. To make his quest even harder, the plants, animals, people, and even inanimate objects of the world all seem to be working against you. The creatures and obstacles you will face are both memorable and lightly…insane.

Mechanically the game is a linear, but difficult platformer. Precise timing is required to complete certain jumps, and some obstacles are unexpected which creates a fair amount of trial and error. While there were several points in the game that raised my blood pressure to unsafe levels, I never felt that it was unfair- simply me falling victim to my own lack of skill.

As you enter each of the few levels you will be faced with new challenges that are always fresh. The game’s short length ensures that no obstacle is rehashed from level to level.

Conclusion

In the 40 minutes I spent with Potatoman, I still managed to develop a strangely strong connection to him. I powered through the game refusing to give up, until I finally had found the troof for Potatoman.

This game has a certain kind a charm for me, the kind that makes me want to share it with someone. The game doesn’t try to push the envelope with ground-breaking gameplay, but instead finds a way to tell an odd little story, in a way that warmed my heart.

Potaoman didn’t feel like a game, it felt like a journey. Because at the end I hadn’t won, I simply found the troof.