Un-bear-ably Cute- Polar Panic Review

Veteran gamers may recall Sega’s 1982 coin-op, Pengo. The Antarctic-themed diversion tasked players with eliminating protagonists by sliding blocks of ice. Consequently, each time one of the frozen chunks was moved, the game’s labyrinthine environment changed, forcing players to employ a dose of strategy along with their sharpened reflexes. The amusement’s one deficiency was its pace- like many coin-ops, Pengo was designed to be enjoyed in quarter-pumping bursts.

While the last twenty-eight years have brought a steady stream of retro remakes, Pengo’s gameplay has inspired a scant few diversions in the last two decades. Fortunately, the developers at Eiconic Games haven’t forgotten the formula; their recently released Polar Panic competently updates the forsaken classic.  Unlike many modern recreations, the title balances inspiration and innovation skillfully.

Each of the game’s fifty levels requires players to defeat each stage’s selection of roving antagonists before heading to an exit square. While initial foes move leisurely and carry a minimum of offensive weaponry, later enemies have rocket launchers, flamethrowers, and freeze-inducing firepower. Much of each stages enjoyment emanates from the luring the obtuse opponents into your perilous pathway, and dispatching them with a quick shove of an ice block or box of explosives. Even more gratification can be gained when adversaries are enticed to eliminate each other with an imprudent blast.

Beyond the game’s destroyable, movable, and immobile blocks several other elements litter the glacial environments. Frozen bear statues can be demolished for an extra life, while the enemy-generating igloos that flank the outskirts of most rounds can be obliterating with a dexterous shove of an ice block. Since each stage is scored by a strict time limit, gamers hoping to earn an “A” rating for each round with have to accomplish these tasks with frugal efficiency.

Beyond the title’s extensive Story campaign, players can find additional enjoyment in the game’s two additional gameplay modes. Polar Panic’s Puzzle variant removes the game’s enemies, challenging players to navigate the cunningly-craft environments using a minimal amount of block pushes. Survival is the game’s sole multiplayer element, challenging players to subsist against boundless waves of arctic intruders. It’s unfortunate that this deviation is only for local players; the amount of chaotic bliss found in the mode would have been ideal in an online format.

Polar Panic has two divergent graphical styles. The game’s menus, story screens, world map, and stage summaries are composed of gorgeous hand-drawn art. Each 2D asset is excruciatingly cute and is displayed in meticulous hi-res detail. Although the 3D polygons used during gameplay are nearly as attractive, the game is displayed in a problematic perspective- the title’s low angle can make lining up those horizontal block pushes needlessly challenging.

Polar Panic deftly integrates its retro simplicity into a variety of modes, creating a compelling purchase for players appreciative of gaming’s golden years. Coupled with an irresistible aesthetic that’s as cute as a newborn polar cub, the title seems like the perfect way for gamers to cleanse their palette between disk-based epics.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

39 comments

  1. Never heard of Pengo, but I do like games that bring back great design.

  2. The graphics in the first image don’t look all that cute to me.

  3. I saw this on the XBLA arcade, and assumed it was crap. Guess I was wrong.

  4. So close to getting my $10 after playing the demo. I’m sure I’ll pick this up soon.

  5. Good review. I saw Shipwreck liked this too.

  6. Didn’t another game use a polar bear as it’s hero? I’m trying to remember?

  7. Do you get any offensive weapons, or do you just push the blocks

  8. I’m old enough to remember Pengo 🙁

  9. Sounds pretty fun. How’s the difficulty?

  10. You don’t have to pay to unlock the puzzle modes do you? There included in the game right?

  11. Is that a depth of field effect I see?

    I heard it can play like Bomberman. That’s worth my money right there.

  12. Looks cool. I’ll try the demo.

  13. Good review. You played pengo in the arcades Desert?

  14. Just bought it. Thanks for the review.

  15. Just played it and really liked it. Now I need some points!

  16. Looks cool. I’ll try the demo.

  17. Nice review, Desert.

  18. Man, you guys like some puns.

  19. Any plans for DLC on this one?

  20. Looks like those old Coke ads to me.

  21. Going to pick this one up. I was pleasantly surprised.

  22. Nice little game!

  23. Nice little game. I got addicted to the demo!

  24. The demo was just ok, not worth $10

  25. Any differences between the two versions?

  26. I’ll try the demo out for this one.

  27. I thought it was pretty cute. I might have to pick it up.

  28. I’ll try this later.

  29. Seem interest enough to give a try.

  30. If they ever cut a deal on this. It will be mine.

  31. Ill give it a try, as I played Pengo once or twice in the day.

  32. They should maze a PSP version of this game.

  33. Too simple for me. No thanks.

  34. I panicked when I saw the $10 price. This should be $5.

  35. I’ll have to pass on this one.

  36. What happened to the 360 and PS3 reviews?!?!

  37. At the time of year happened. Although I do hope for a Bayonetta review soon.

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