Sometimes you want to game. And I mean, jump into it, head first. No introductions, no cutscenes, no lofty deeds or grand adventures. If you please, a game essence that knows it is a game to its core and doesn't want to sell you on anything else but that sheer, pure fun it offers. A tiny game, one you can sink in for a few minutes and come back refreshed, with a smile on your face. You might know some titles like that. BABA IS YOU comes to mind, where you get tossed into a puzzle and solve it yourself, dummy. Or something like THUMPER, where there's hardly an explanation for anything - it's you, the abstract road, and your chrome beetle. And there's PIZZA POSSUM, where you're a Possum and there's a Pizza. Your goal? Get to the pizza. It's as simple as that.
I love this goofy game. It tosses you into the action without any explanation and expects you to pick it up and guess what you're supposed to do because it has immense trust in its simplicity. It knows what it has in store for you and it also knows you can handle it. As a snickering, naughty possum you're romping around a vaguely Mediterranean island in search of nosh. Everything's on the table. Or from the ground. Or crates. Or spooked out of scared, law-abiding citizens! You just run around, cause a bit of havoc, and throw down your gullet all the yummy-looking baked goods, fruits, veggies, and dishes to sate your unending hunger!
But Lo! And behold - the popo! The police in various shapes of dogs are on the prowl, looking for shady types like you. Types who wouldn't blink when stealing a sausage from a windowsill. Your criminal reputation for gourmet-oriented kleptomania is well known on the island and they will try to arrest you on the spot if they'll spot you and catch you. Each of the canine cops has a unique ability and speed - from bumbling, slow, and easily outmaneuvered pugs to barking little chihuahuas that will alarm all nearby forces to your presence. To outsmart them you must observe their routines, their routes and patrols, sneak behind them, or, if it comes to that... Run like heck.
Which isn't easy if you're trying to jog on a full belly! As you keep eating on the go your tummy swells and you slow down, so picking a good escape route is crucial. As you progress up the island, unlocking more and more gates and nooks to hide in and spawn from, you'll also find items that will help you on your way. Instant barricades to stop the chase, fizzy drink to get you a speed boost in need, smoke bombs to get lost in the confusion... You'll need to use your wits and stumpy little legs to your best ability to escape some situations!
But don't worry, getting caught isn't a huge loss. Your unlocking progression is saved and the island town slowly but surely will open up for longer, more caloric escapades. While the final goal is simple and laid down before you - consume that glorious pizza at the very top - there are other worthy meals spread around the town to dig into. And collectibles to grab in the form of scrumptious Zeppole! It's not a big game by any means, you can finish your goal in about an hour. Two, at the most if you keep messing around and messing things up.
But it is an absolute delight to play! Not only the gameplay itself is fairly addictive, always eager to do one more little loop until caught, but the game sounds and looks fantastic. The sounds especially should get endless praise. It's so... so charming and cute and whimsical. Your little possum hissy little cackles each time he escapes the chase or hides in bushes. The goofy barks and huffing of the dogs chasing you. The crunchy, squelchy sounds of eating all the good stuff. It's a constant stream of adorable audible digestiff. And of the music! It has this thing that was so prominent in UNTITLED GOOSE GAME where the music starts subdued, very gentle, and barely there, but dynamically adjusts to the situation. As soon as things spice up and the cops chase you around everything goes frantic in a very melodic, cartoony style. Sprinkle colorful, warm visuals, bouncy animation, and extremely fluid controls into the mix, and mamma mia, you've got yourself a delicious little dish.
In short, PIZZA POSSUM is a delight. A tasty morsel, a sweet little thing to consume in a single evening of fun, or spread like a fine jam over a few short sessions of romping around the isle in search of food. I assure you, you won't regret picking it up - it might be a tiny game by every measurement, but it's a heck of a good time, with great qualities on display, from charming visuals, excellent sounds, and easy-to-pick gameplay. Give it a go and get that to that royal 'zza!
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