Pocket Witch Review

"Simplistic Pain"

Campaign

March 31, 2023 at 5:42pm
By Jason Stettner

This is a rather short, yet somewhat sweet platformer. You’re essentially guiding this witch along a variety of traps and challenges in order to enter the next room. It’s a bit cute for sure, but alas also rather frustrating. At the same time, that all sort of works for it.

I didn’t really have too many expectations for the title jumping in, but by the end of completing the thirty levels it contains I was left with a tad bit of a satisfied feeling. I don’t believe there’s really any sort of story here, but you’ve got a little flap bat friend following you and it’s sort of endearing.

It’s actually something I wouldn’t mind seeing a follow up to, or even the concept expanded upon actually. It’s weird, as some of these smaller titles can be somewhat meh for the most part, but I felt compelled to actually do a quick write-up on it as I actually enjoyed the experience enough to want to do so.

Gameplay

The levels are simple in design, yet at the same time structured in such a way that there can be immense challenge. It wasn’t ever too ridiculous, being a strange balance of fair and then also really frustrating. It’s hilarious as I was never too mad to stop; but was also sitting there kind of being like, cmon. It’s a really awkward balance, but they sort of straddle the line very well in this one. Like I said, it’s very simple.

You’re platforming and moving past a series of traps or enemies. Nothing is too insanely challenging, but in combination you get segments that can certainly take an extra moment or two to get through. It also gets more complex as time goes on, in regards to additional tasks. You’ll eventually need to collect keys in differing areas requiring smart backtracking or also time what you’re doing while shots from foes go over.

It makes sense when you play it. Visually it’s nothing too wild, but has a nice soft style to it. On the Xbox Series X you get a nice 4k resolution at 60fps, so it is at least appealing in sharpness. I did find some of the sliding aspects to the character annoying, but they do impact how you can progress at times.

The Conclusion

Pocket Witch is a tad minimal in terms of length, but it does make up for that with a decent level of platforming challenge and a slightly cute vibe. It’s not really mind blowing in terms of what it provides, but at the same time enticing enough that I felt somewhat compelled to write about it.

It’s neat in that way I’d say. It straddles the line of really annoying and fair too well. It’s got some solid visuals to it and across the thirty levels it does use its concept effectively in consistently coming up with new challenges for you to take part in.

Read our Bayonetta Review
View our Game Hubs

Pocket Witch Review on Xbox Series X
Review Code Provided by ID@Xbox

Rating Overall: 7.0