Developed By: Starseed Games
Published By: Penguin Pop Games
Category: RPG
Release Date: 02.04.26
Price: $19.99
*Game Download Code graciously provided for the purpose of review
Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is one of those weird games. It’s a uniquely unhinged game like when I played The Edge Of Allegoria a few months ago. Does that make it a bad game? No, it’s just strange and quirky, but some people might be put off by that. I didn’t mind much and thought the weirdness was fun, but how does the rest of the game hold up?
On the surface it looks like a simple indie RPG but it quickly devolves into something ambitious and emotional. You play as Jimmy as he’s sent out to gather honey but we quickly learn that the game takes place in a dream world that he created. Jimmy is an 8 year old kid and as expected, his dream is childlike and full of color and creativity. But it turns into a nightmare rather quickly.
Jimmy doesn’t speak in the game, but we learn so much about him. We learn about what his life is like, his family, and his fears. But they’re all taken to an extreme in his dream world. His dream world is cute with lots of charm but it delicately balances the horrors of childhood with some existential dread thrown in.
I don’t want to spoil any of the story but for all the charm, childlike wonder, and humor, there’s a lot to unpack emotionally. Much of the story made me think back to the meaning and emotion that’s hidden behind the humor of Undertale. It’s an overall really solid story and the gameplay is honestly just as good.
Gameplay has a pretty unique twist. It’s like a monster catching game with just one character. As you encounter different enemies and defeat them, Jimmy gains the ability to transform into them. Jimmy can’t really do much on his own but transforming into different monsters during battle changes how battles are played out completely.
It’s a sweet and charming game that’s surprisingly dark with an amazing combat system. The game costs $20, and that’s a steal because it’s a fully fleshed out RPG that could set you back as many as 40 hours if you do everything. Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass won’t be for everyone, but people who liked games like Undertale, OFF, and Earthbound will really get a kick out of it.
4/5
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