Plok is a game that is so weird that it's rather... good? Maybe? Let's have a look at the Plok plot, shall we? Our lovable ketchup and mustard-colored Plok wakes up one beautiful morning to find that someone has snitched his big square flag! Oh, the horror! Ploks must be territorial for him to care so much about such a seemingly insignificant piece of cloth. You'd think he'd be more concerned with the fact that he's missing his doors. It's surprising that he isn't missing his copper piping with that security. He leaves his completely vulnerable valuables to go out in search of his beloved flag and threatening to practically disembowel the ones who stole it. After spying the flag on another island, Plok crosses the river/ocean/body of water to retrieve his possession from the hands of those darned hooligans. What he finds instead is that the thieves have stolen bits of his laundry as well. If you were curious about the kind of undergarments Plok wears, you're in luck. Gotta appeal to that younger demographic with overused tomfoolery! Although I must say, after playing Plok, I'm not so sure it's actually meant for kids.

My first impression of Plok was that it was a kid's game. The main character looks like something from a rejected cartoon. The environment is straight out of a bootlegged Dr. Seuss book. Overall, the game looks as if it was dredged from the bottom of the discount barrel at the local thrift shop. I can see this game bearing a $.89 sticker. However, the game plays well for the most part and is actually challenging. Like, really challenging at times. I wouldn't quite put it on the level with unfair platformers, but the game likes to throw some major curveballs every once in a while. These curveballs wouldn't normally be so frustrating if the game had checkpoints. That's right. An unfair obstacle right at the end of the level could set you back all the way to the beginning. You'd have to be extremely careful—almost perfect—in order to have enough health left to finish several levels. At one point, the game became a "bullet hell" almost forcing you to lose most of your health. As for regaining health? Good luck. Health is doled out through what appears to be moldy sushi rolls found in only a few levels. Otherwise, keeping your health up is like hopping around on eggshells with concrete shoes. (Editor's Note: ...what?) Plok is not impossible, but it will definitely give you a run for all of your lunch money.

You're right, Plok. That's not your flag. That's underwear.

Plok defeats his enemies the most effective way I have ever witnessed. He throws his limbs like boomerangs. That's right. His arms and legs are completely detachable and deadly! Watch out! Plok is literally throwing kicks and punches. Once he runs out of appendage ammunition, Plok becomes a bouncy Hershey's Kiss until his limbs make their way to their appropriate spots. You have to be careful, though. If you throw out all his limbs at once, Plok with slide down whatever incline he is on. In one level, the game forces you to sacrifice your legs and hop around like you're participating in a potato sack race. In another, the player must backtrack the entire level upon retrieving Plok's misplaced arms and legs. You could say the game developers really went out on a limb with the game.

The world of Plok is quite the unique place. From various objects (such as needles and buttons) strewn about the game, I could tell that Plok is actually very small. Plok's main enemies are fleas, but there are several other, uh, unique characters floating around. There are walking potatoes with blue hair, flowers that shoot tiny Easter eggs, and rock heads that barf coconuts at your face. For some reason, Plok can get aid from hornets that he collects from decrepit corkscrews lying around the levels. The hornets can be useful if they could ever figure out what they're supposed to do. More often than not, the hornets just fly circles around the enemies. It's quite frustrating waiting for them to finally get in the perfect position to defeat enemies. The "fleas" in this game are nothing like actual fleas. The fleas which bug Plok look more like half developed frogs with long, skinny legs. The fleas hatch from Yoshi eggs and jump around causing... not much havoc at all. Plok actually seems to be the bad guy who goes around stomping on frog-flea babies!

There is a selection of power-ups that have been giftwrapped and scattered around for Plok. Apparently, Plok enjoys playing "dress-up" because each power-up comes with a fancy costume! You can be a fighter (which is accompanied by the Rocky theme), Elmer Fudd, a flamethrower,or a... rocket bagpiper? Not too sure about that last one. One power-up that you can find is simply a circular saw floating in mid-air. Don't be fooled! Touching this power-up with cause you to go spinning out of control in one direction. Sure, you obliterate everything in your path, but you also usually end up taking a swim. Ploks cannot swim, so prepare to start the level all over again.

The best part of Plok was not his charming good looks or his intense battle tactics. No, the best part of this game is the music! The music goes surprisingly well with the atmosphere of the game. It is both upbeat and rather colorful. Plok himself contributes to the groovy tunes by playin his harmonica in the menu screen. I found myself bobbing my head to the rhythm a few times. Even if you don't enjoy the game, you very well might enjoy the music.

Alright. I have decided to categorize Plok as a "something". I refuse to put any more thought into what exactly Plok is supposed to be. As for Plok the game? I categorize it as a unique journey with both somewhat charming and challenging characteristics. It's not pretty, but looks aren't everything. So now I leave the mystery that is Plok to the mercy of the rest of the world.

If you can tell me what exactly Plok is, I'll buy you a sub.

Not the sandwich.

A legitimate submarine.