Poor Willy. Trapped in a sinister circus, his only hope of seeing his family is to run and jump his way past an array of deathtraps while being cheered on by a sadistically bloodthirsty crowd.
Penarium has the potential of being one of those games that you can get addicted to, but where it excels most is also its downfall. The rewards that you achieve is minuscule compared to all the deaths that you have to endure.
The game is difficult, but I haven't found myself so lovingly furious with a game since Spelunky. It works well within the scope of its own mechanics to create a game that stays consistently challenging, without ever feeling truly impossible.
Overall the game is comfortable to play, enjoyable, and it's easy to pick up but hard to put down.
Visiting the sadistic circus is definitely not what it seems. You will find yourself enjoying the majority of your time at Penarium. The graphics and controls draw you in and make it easy to play. The charm and difficulty is what makes you stay.
The gameplay is wonderful, the music is whimsical, and the story (so far) is very entertaining. If you're looking for a great challenge presented in a unique way, then run off and join the Penarium circus.
