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Poi similar games & best alternatives

Poi

PC (Microsoft Windows), Super Famicom • 2017

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Quick resume

Poi is a 3D platformer featuring two kids on a grand adventure to unravel the mysteries of the Milky Way Globe. Explore uncharted lands, compete in challenge levels, meet quirky characters and defeat comical creatures on a journey to become a Master Explorer.

Global score

91/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, Puzzle

Similar games

    Pros

    • Nostalgic and charming 3d platforming
    • Large open levels with secrets and collectibles
    • Smooth and responsive controls
    • Good value with many hours of content
    • Engaging exploration and challenges

    Cons

    • Boss fights are weak and uninspired
    • Some camera and hit detection issues
    • Repetitive level re-entry after each objective
    • Limited combat and enemy variety
    • Story is simple and minimal

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to choose paths and explore levels with multiple routes and approaches."

      Capsule for Defunct Defunct

      "Players freely explore large open levels with multiple paths and objectives, choosing their own routes and play style."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Platforming requires skillful jumping, timing, and use of abilities; challenges increase but remain accessible."

      Capsule for Evo\Wave Evo\Wave

      "Platforming requires skillful jumping and movement; some challenges and speedrunning leaderboards provide tests of ability."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      2

      "Includes leaderboards and speedrunning elements encouraging comparison, but competition is not the main focus."

      Capsule for On Rusty Trails On Rusty Trails

      "Leaderboards for challenge levels and speedruns encourage comparison but competition is not the main focus."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report habitual play, returning for puzzles, scenarios, and free mode; some mention potential boredom after extended play."

      Capsule for TerraScape TerraScape

      "Players report habitual play, returning to collect items and complete challenges; new game+ mode extends playtime."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Game is single-player focused with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

      Capsule for Atomic Heart Atomic Heart

      "Game is single-player focused with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players explore secrets, solve puzzles, and engage with unique level designs, though within predefined structures."

      Capsule for DOOM 64 DOOM 64

      "Players explore and discover secrets, but level design and objectives follow classic collectathon formulas with limited creation."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are solo and non-confrontational."

      Capsule for Cheeky Chooks Cheeky Chooks

      "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are solo and non-confrontational."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players enjoy immersive, whimsical world and relaxing exploration as a form of stress relief and escapism."

      Capsule for The Knightling The Knightling

      "Players enjoy immersive, whimsical worlds and nostalgic exploration as a form of stress relief and fun."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia rather than obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Pharaoh™: A New Era Pharaoh™: A New Era

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      2

      "Exploration and acquiring new abilities encourage some experimentation with game mechanics and paths."

      Capsule for Dungeon of Zolthan Dungeon of Zolthan

      "Exploration and trying different routes to objectives encourages some experimentation within established mechanics."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around exploring a vibrant open world, discovering secrets, collectibles, and new areas."

      Capsule for Tchia Tchia

      "Core gameplay revolves around discovering secrets, collectibles, and new areas in open 3D worlds."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Players can customize characters with costumes and skills, but mostly follow preset aesthetics and character designs."

      Capsule for Death end re;Quest Death end re;Quest

      "Some character customization via costumes, but mostly players use predefined characters and styles."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "The game features imaginative, colorful worlds and characters inspired by classic platformers and fantasy settings."

      Capsule for Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

      "Players inhabit a whimsical, cartoonish world with imaginative characters and scenarios, evoking classic platformer fantasy."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -4

      "Minimal social interaction; focus is on solo play and individual achievements."

      Capsule for Creeper World 2: Anniversary Edition Creeper World 2: Anniversary Edition

      "Minimal social interaction; focus is on solo play and individual achievements."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop platforming skills and learn level layouts; skill progression via unlockable abilities."

      Capsule for Sonic Generations Collection Sonic Generations Collection

      "Players develop platforming skills and learn level layouts; some progression through unlocking new worlds and abilities."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for Dishonored 2 Dishonored 2

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and active platforming; not designed for idle or background play."

      Capsule for Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

      "Requires focused attention and active platforming; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

      Capsule for Insecticide Part 1 Insecticide Part 1

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

      Capsule for Stray Stray

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate collectibles, unlock abilities, and progress through levels and challenges."

      Capsule for Demon Turf: Queens Edition Demon Turf: Queens Edition

      "Players accumulate collectibles, unlock new worlds and abilities, and complete challenges to progress."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Generally described as a relaxing, lighthearted experience with low difficulty and charming atmosphere."

      Capsule for Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion Adventure Time: Pirates of the Enchiridion

      "Generally a lighthearted, easygoing experience with some moments of challenge balanced by relaxing exploration."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Colorful visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though not highly intense."

      Capsule for Roogoo Roogoo

      "Colorful visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though not highly intense or overwhelming."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Leaderboards and achievements provide some recognition but social status is not a major motivator."

      Capsule for Creeper World 4 Creeper World 4

      "Leaderboards and achievements provide some recognition but social status is not a major motivator."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Narrative is simple but provides context and motivation for gameplay."

      Capsule for 1 Moment Of Time: Silentville 1 Moment Of Time: Silentville

      "Simple narrative provides context for exploration but is light and secondary to gameplay."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      1

      "Some planning in platforming and exploration, but mostly straightforward gameplay."

      Capsule for Evo\Wave Evo\Wave

      "Some planning and problem solving in platforming and exploration, but mostly straightforward objectives."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Mild excitement from platforming and combat; no high-risk or suspenseful elements."

      Capsule for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

      "Mild excitement from platforming challenges and exploration, but no intense suspense or risk."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players report good value for price with many hours of content and replayability."

      Capsule for Dread Delusion Dread Delusion

      "Players report good value for price with many hours of content and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -3

      "Combat is minimal and simple; focus is on platforming and exploration rather than violence."

      Capsule for Ori and the Blind Forest Ori and the Blind Forest

      "Combat is minimal and simplistic, mostly jumping on enemies; focus is on platforming rather than violence."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -3

      "Low risk gameplay with no significant survival or resource management elements."

      Capsule for Ittle Dew Ittle Dew

      "Low risk gameplay with no significant threat or resource management."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status, Expression.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026