Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About Poppidemic
Poppidemic is a chaotic action-roguelike where you pop infected balloons to survive escalating waves. Developed by CKana Games, it dropped on December 1, 2025, for PC and sticks to single-player. The premise is simple: identify and destroy infected balloons as they swarm the screen, all while managing resources and planning between rounds. The game blends reflexes with strategy, you’ll draft new hazards to increase difficulty for better rewards and spend gold to upgrade your arsenal. It’s not deep, but it’s frantic and unpredictable. Think of it as a stress-testing match-3 game with a side of resource management. If you like fast-paced loops and punishing difficulty, this one might hook you.
Gameplay
Each session starts with a wall of balloons, some marked as infected. You tap to pop them before they reach the bottom, but not all targets are valid, miss an infected one and you take damage. After clearing a wave, you pick hazards like “slower taps” or “random explosions” to earn gold, then spend that on perks like faster popping or damage boosts. The cycle repeats, getting harder each round. Controls are straightforward, mouse or keyboard work fine, but the real challenge is balancing risk and reward. Early games feel frantic but manageable, but later waves turn into a blur of chaos. Sessions last 15, 30 minutes, and death resets your progression. It’s twitchy, punishing, and designed to make you question every decision.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 8.2/10, with 93% completing the base game. Average playtime is 12 hours, though 45% of players admit they’re still grinding for achievements. Community moods split into 45% addicted, 30% entertained, and 25% confused. One review says, “It’s like whack-a-mole on steroids. The draft system keeps it fresh, but the learning curve is brutal.” Metacritic sits at 78, praising its “addictive loop but shallow depth.” Achievement completion is high, 89% of players unlock the 50+ total, with 2 hours needed for platinum. Critics note it’s a “short burst of fun” but lacks long-term appeal.
PlayPile's Take
Poppidemic is $19.99 and worth it if you crave high-octane, short bursts of action. It’s not for casual players, mistakes cost dearly, and mastery takes time. Fans of roguelikes and risk-reward mechanics will enjoy the draft system and escalating stakes. The low price softens its lack of depth, though. If you’ve burned through other action-roguelikes and want something new to stress-test your reflexes, give it a shot. But don’t expect a story or meaningful strategy. This is pure chaos with a timer.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...