Pepo is a 2D platformer game developed by TeamBUD. This action single-player title puts players in the shoes of Pepo, a mutant that can spit colors. Pepo is in a colorless world and needs to find a new home that’s full of color. The gameplay feels like Cuphead and is also as difficult.

In Pepo, the gameplay is less about platforming and more about fighting bosses. There are no minions to fight. Instead, you fight one boss after another. These bosses have a unique move set and patterns that players need to learn to emerge victorious.

Color-based mechanics

Imagine Cuphead without the stages in between bosses, that’s Pepo. It’s a compact experience that thrusts players into a series of tough bosses with only short, well voice acted cutscenes in between. The lack of filler stages or bonus levels makes it a relatively short game, assuming you can breeze through its seven bosses. This challenging gameplay is enhanced by a great soundtrack and clean visuals.

The game’s core mechanic is complicated and requires a lot of practice to master. You can fire three types of projectiles — cyan, magenta, and yellow. Destroying colored objects by shooting them with the matching color fills up the titular character’s three color gauges, which enables a special ability when filled. Magenta is a high-damaging beam, yellow is a penetrating shot, and cyan is a protective barrier that can damage enemies.

Managing color gauges, dodging attacks and obstacles, platforming, and dealing damage to the boss — players will have to juggle these tasks in the game. Fortunately, movement is smooth and Pepo is agile, capable of double jumping and dashing. The opening instructions can be confusing to read but they still do the job. iIt can still be frustrating for casual players despite having multiple difficulty levels.

Is it worth playing?

If you’re up for a challenge, yes. Pepo has a unique world and unique mechanics that make the challenge worth taking. It’s a well-polished title that remains engaging throughout its relatively short playtime. Casual players can play in easy or normal mode to learn the ropes, then increase the difficulty once they get used to the mechanics. Ultimately, it’s a tough platformer that is niche by nature.