Penarium is a fast-paced arcade game set in a circus. Play as the unfortunate Willy forced into performing in a series of events.

Fun at the circus

Filled with light-hearted humour, quick levels and guaranteed deaths, Penarium has more than a hint of Super Meat Boy. Jump and evade beasts, traps and more, collecting chests and switches to pass the ringleaders homicidal training. Penarium features a story mode detailing the sad fate of Willy, imprisoned and forced to enter the deadly circus, an arcade mode and a simple multiplayer. It features an 8-bit graphical style and a suitably circus soundtrack, both of which help maintain the focus required to successfully survive. The game plays at an incredible speed, often requiring more in the way of reflexes than planning, with levels changing after deaths and restarts. With this port to mobile devices, the controls have become noticeably less precise which ramps up this difficulty to an even higher level.

Port problems

Penarium is a fun little title best played in short bursts. Players will die early and often, learning more as they go along. The game was a success on other platforms before its move to mobile and unfortunately didn't make the transition without some negatives, primarily the controls. Despite this, it is still an entertaining title.