Just a week after its release, Poco has already earned an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam, with 92% of players recommending it. Developed by a small team of students, this charming circus-themed adventure requires minimal hardware and offers a nostalgic point-and-click experience. Despite raising $2,618 on Kickstarter to cover festival submissions, the developers never intended to monetize the game—it was created as a university thesis project.

Players take on the role of Poco, the world's smallest clown, who is exiled from his circus and sent to the Below World. Determined to escape, he builds a rocket with the help of quirky characters. The game blends classic point-and-click mechanics with animated 3D models and hand-painted 2D backgrounds, creating a visually striking adventure filled with puzzles, dialogue, and mini-games.

In late May 2025, several mid-sized Twitch streamers—including Ezekiel_III, Lexy, and Varidetta—spent hours playing Poco, generating over 2,000 hours watched. Given the game's free-to-play model, this exposure likely contributed to its rapid growth on Steam, where it has already garnered over 600 reviews. Since only a small fraction of Steam users leave reviews, Poco has likely been downloaded thousands of times, possibly exceeding 10,000 installs.

Unlike many indie games that rely on crowdfunding for development, Poco was always meant to be a free passion project. The developers, including BirdGut creator Micah Boursier, focused on delivering a polished experience rather than monetization. With its whimsical art style, engaging puzzles, and heartfelt storytelling, Poco is a refreshing addition to the indie game scene—and a reminder that great games don’t always need a price tag.