Poacher

About

Poacher casts you as Derek Badger a rotund Yorkshireman armed with a shotgun and a questionable sense of direction. This 2D platformer tasks you with backtracking through overgrown levels scattering weapons and upgrades to access previously unreachable areas. Combat mixes basic shooting with environmental puzzles while the world gradually expands as you collect keys and open gates. The controls feel loose and the pacing leans into a goofy charm that borders on accidental comedy. The game's hand drawn art contrasts with its straightforward gameplay creating a vibe that's equal parts charming and forgettable. A short runtime and sparse enemy variety keep it from reaching deeper into the genre but the central hook of a burly man blasting through vegetation remains oddly satisfying. Community reviews note its cultish appeal with many praising the developer's distinct voice even if the execution stays firmly in B-movie territory.