Poppy Playtime is huge among kids. That’s not to say adults can’t enjoy it, but you ask the majority of people under and over the age of 16-years old and you’ll likely get two very different answers. I’m not going to pretend I’m knee-deep in Huggy Wuggy lore. The series is clearly aimed at a younger audience. Yet despite that, Mob Entertainment doesn’t insult their intelligence by making a lacklustre franchise that resorts to cheap scares and a weak story. It’s not something I’m deeply into, but it is certainly something that doesn’t lack merit.
Carrying on straight after the events of the previous chapter, you’re on the run from the delightfully freaky blue monster. Falling deeper into the bowels of Playtime Co., new areas are available. As for the story, there’re are some answers but also more questions. Without diving into spoiler territory, there’re going to be some fans who will appreciate the reveals. On the other hand, more mysteries means future chapters are a given. That’s not to say fans will be disappointed.
The familiar loop of intense chase sequences and puzzle-solving return. While there is an heir of familiarity, some new mechanics give you a feeling that the series has progressed. Running away from the monsters lurking inside the facility is always stressful, yet having to use the mechanics at the same time provide another level of nervousness. Your hands can be used as energy conduits for heat and cold. You’ll also use them on pressure pads, pulling crates towards you for leverage, and more.
You can also use a flashlight and a UV light to reveal arrows to lead you to your next objective. While there are some moments of peace, there’s always something lurking in the shadows to keep you on edge. The horror or those chase sequences slowly start to become frustrating, though. They lose their appeal and become more annoying. Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 does let you explore your surroundings, but the moments you have to start running again get repetitive, especially when every time you get caught, the animation damages the flow.
Saying that, there are some strong moments where all the tools at your disposal work well together. Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 highlights just how far the series has come. It’s a gorgeous-looking game with some fluid animations and a detailed facility that changes in every level. While puzzles can be frustrating, especially as using your hands effectively takes time to get the hang of. Younger players will probably scoff at this, but my old self struggled to stay familiar with getting used to the gameplay.
Poppy Playtime Chapter 5 is going to make fans of the series happy. There’s no question that some of the new monsters are cool, but the lore drops will leave players with a sense of achievement for sticking with it. There’s still more to come, I’m sure, but this chapter rewards those that have stuck with it from the beginning. It looks great, and the new mechanics work. My main issue was how chases started to lose their steam and become more of a hinderance than anything else.
