PICO PARK

Developed and published by TECOPARK, Pico Park is a co-op award winning puzzle game. The game was originally released in April 2016, but it has been re-released on the Nintendo Switch and Windows in June 2019. Pico Park has very positive reviews and was a big hit with fans, it also made its way into popular streaming platforms when big streamers were enjoying the title with family and friends.

All For One, And One For All

Pico Park is an indie game at heart, and one that is simple in execution and design. The pixelated characters and simple design is unassuming, but the puzzles behind the game carry most of the weight. Best enjoyed with multiple friends Pico Park offers local, and online multiplayer between a maximum of eight players. Players should only expect a casual, and enjoyable experience from the game, since it aims to be a fun title to play with friends, and it is.

In line with its simplicity approach, the developer’s approach towards the game is also simple: “Get the keys, and get to the end”. Each of the forty-eight levels has exactly the same goals, even if they are vastly different, there is no bigger picture behind it. The puzzles in Pico Park are designed in a fashion where collaboration is obligatory, yet every player has to individually overcome obstacles and reach the end.

Better and Fresher

Pico Park went through a relaunch on Windows to mirror the features available on the Nintendo Switch, and the addition of the online multiplayer mode. Multiple levels were added and they still retain an open solution approach, where each room can be solved in multiple ways, with players performing different roles and tasks. However, there are only forty eight levels, which takes roughly three to five hours for experienced gamers to complete.

Pico Park has other game modes besides the classic, they offer the Battle Mode and Endless Mode once players are done with the campaign. Battle Mode flips the script on this collaborative game and tasks players competing against each other for victory. Endless Mode allows groups of players to play countless levels in search of a high score, with scores growing faster when collaborating with friends.

Conclusion

Pico Park is a fun, yet short game. It doesn’t try to be anything else than entertaining, and bonding. The puzzles are relatively simple, and most expert gamers can go through the game without any trouble, but the collaboration necessary is a fun mechanic.

PROS

• Laid Back, Casual, and Fun
• Perfect For Friends and Family
• Every Player Is Essential for Progression

CONS

• Very Short Game
• Low Replayability, Even With Endless Mode
• Puzzles Might Feel Very Simple