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User Rating: 8 | Pony Island PC

Imagine for a moment, that Lucifer was a game developer and that he made a game so he could steal people's souls. Now imagine that game is called Pony Island. This is the premise of a very clever little indie gem that delights in breaking the 4th wall and messing with the player in devious ways. It's an experience unlike any other game out there, and one that's filled with devilish fun.

The joy of the game is in discovering what it holds for yourself, but the basic idea is that you play as a nameless gamer suckered into playing Pony Island; a tool of soul collection insidiously disguised as a harmless kids' game. From there, you become trapped along with all of the other souls that played Pony Island and must find a way past Lucifer's sly puzzles and mischievous games; hoping to find a way to free yourself and everyone else caught by the dastardly pony game. It's an amusing idea that makes ample use of the fact that it's a PC game to trick and torment the player with themes of hacking and computer bugs. It's all very self-aware and never takes itself too seriously despite the dark themes at play.

The best parts of the game should be left in the hands of the gamer playing it though, so in conclusion, Pony Island makes for a treat of entertainment and plays with expectations in ingenious ways. It's a game that knows it's a game, and dances with ideas both clever and charming. Taking a peek into it's cunning machinations won't hurt, just insert your soul to continue.