Pop-up Pilgrims give PSVR users a glimpse into the possibilities of 2D platforming in a 3D experience. This beautiful puzzle-platformer that plays like a lighter version of Lemmings with smarter AI, puts you in the role of a wonderfully groomed Cloud God tasked with aiding a group of pilgrims to safety across six increasingly dangerous worlds.

The aim of the game is to use the pilgrims to defeat all six bosses in order to get the scrolls that were stolen from the demon king. Your pilgrims will move at a continuous rate except when they reach the end of a platform which makes them turn around. Leaves are littered across the map as a form of instructions in which your pilgrims use to automatically hop between platforms. You will need to collect golden octopi in the form of collectibles, and demon orbs that can be eaten by the guardian statue in order for the exit gate to appear. All this occurs with each level set out in a concave curve, creating a vertical crescent in which you sit, dead center, coordinating how you will guide your pilgrims to safety. Having the levels wrap around like this grows onto you; it’s like being encased in a theater of events that you are in control of. You’ll never need to turn too far to the left or the right, but there will be moments where you will need to readjust yourself in order to find some out-of-sight platforms.



I always found myself leaning into the world so I can scrutinize the cutely designed pilgrims. The visuals are immaculate and obviously inspired by traditional Japanese artwork, and are bright and full of personality. This paired with smooth animation, multiple layered designs, and quirky music is a true testament to just how far you can push a 2D platformer in a 3D world.

The visuals are soon given a backseat as the mechanics of the game begin to feel too sensitive. I often found myself frustrated as a pilgrim jumped off the ledge too soon. Using the VR headset as a cursor to guide your pilgrims is a needlessly pointless mechanic that I feel the game could have done without; it simply does not justify the need for the VR. The puzzle-solving portion of the game is relatively easy, but be prepared to restart levels due to the overly sensitive mechanics.

Each of the six worlds you come across in Pop-up Pilgrims comes to a brief end with a boss fight. These battles feel refreshing when compared to the usual platforming and often come with a specific exploit to each boss. To my disappointment, none of the boss fights felt challenging. I found them easier than the normal levels and often, underwhelmed, as I cleared the stage within my first attempt.



Sadly, this lack of challenge and sensitive mechanics is Pop-Up Pilgrims biggest problems, and it's not just present in the boss fights. When you can lazily play your way through levels, it makes for a truly forgettable experience. The real challenge comes for those who want to get gold medals and appease your inner perfectionist. Then again, this is more a test of patience than actual skill. Once you've worked out what each world does to affect the gameplay, it's not hard for you to progress through each level. This does become painstakingly repetitive though.

Visually is where Pop-up Pilgrims biggest strength lies, providing an entry-level VR experience for those who have yet to invest heavily in their PSVR. The minimal movement needed from players does make the title a perfect gateway game for beginners. However, this is not the intention of the game. That goes to say, there's always a silver lining somewhere.

Many users of a PSVR will not gravitate toward this game, as they bought the PSVR to be immersed in a world and not simply look at one from an outside perspective. Throughout my entire experience with Pop-up Pilgrims, I never felt as if I needed to wear the headset in order to play the game. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see a 2D layout in a 3D world.



Pop-up Pilgrims is a beautifully styled puzzle-platformer that really blends well with the tone of the game. However, lacking a sense of challenge and unnecessarily repetitive tasks causes one to lose enthusiasm for the game quickly. Pop-up Pilgrims is not a revolutionary title for players to actively seek out a PSVR but can be compelling for those who have children. It's a perfect game for VR beginners, but the euphoria of an unique art style can only last so long. Veteran users will find the overall package to be underwhelming, but the game does offer a VR experience without the fear of motion sickness. If you were looking for a title that meets that requirement, then this is the game for you.