Pop 5: Ranking the Islands of 2014

Howdy doodly Poptropicanos, it’s LJ! 🤟 Despite the seemingly grim future of Poptropica, we hold dear the memories of its earlier days. Today, I invite you to travel back in time with me as I reveal my Pop 5 ranking of the islands from 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣4️⃣!

The year 2014 marked the emergence of episodic islands, with islands being unveiled in parts referred to as episodes, which became available at intervals of several weeks or months. Apart from Monster Carnival, the episodic island era consisted of Survival, Mission Atlantis, PoptropiCon, and Arabian Nights.

The concluding episodes of PoptropiCon and Arabian Nights were launched in 2015. Nevertheless, I will include every episode in my assessment of the islands for the sake of the ranking process. These islands as a whole are still regarded as 2014 releases on the Poptropica Wiki, given that they made their debut during that year.

Before we go any further, I’d like to warn you that many spoilers are present ahead. (Most of these are still playable for free if you want to give them a go!) The links to the synopses and any past reviews of these islands will be included throughout the commentary for more understanding if you need it. 🤓

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#5. Mission Atlantis Island 🦈

Mission Atlantis was released on April 17 for members and May 15 for all players.

Although certain animations were visually appealing (particularly the visions and the concluding cut scene in episode three), they aren’t enough to boost this island’s standing on the list. The story pretty much failed to engage me at any given moment. The experience in Mission Atlantis is mostly solitary, and while this approach can be effective in certain islands, such as Steamworks Island, it didn’t resonate with me here. There was only a slight spark of interest for me at the end of episode two but as I progressed into episode three, I found myself feeling somewhat disinterested and bored once again. The “hockey game” segment where we’re supposed to maneuver the power disks felt more tedious and redundant rather than challenging. 😒

Had I not been a completionist, I likely would have abandoned this one during the second episode and never returned to finish it. I realize that my critique may seem overly critical, but this island ranks among my least favorites in general, and I suspect many other Poptropicans would share this opinion. 😬 (Check out this older review from another PHB author with a differing perspective!) Positioned at the 4th spot, we have…

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#4. PoptropiCon Island 🗯️

PoptropiCon marked the 41st island to Poptropica, with its release for members occurring on August 28 and for everyone else on September 18.

I regret having to rank this island so low on the list, but the fierce competition this year forces me to do so. (2014 was truly the last year with more hits than misses in my opinion.) At the time of its initial release, I didn’t have a particular interest in PoptropiCon. I didn’t have any aversion to it; rather, I just simply didn’t give it much consideration. It was many years later that I came to genuinely appreciate it. 🙂

I find nearly every aspect of this island appealing, particularly the convention setting both within and outside the convention center. Although I’m typically not fond of using the costumizer on an island (like in Time Tangled Island) I believe it was effectively employed in this instance. It was contextually relevant, and the experience of scouring around for costume parts to embody different characters was actually quite enjoyable. 👍

Let’s talk about the fun factor! Playing The Mighty Action Force card game in episode 2 and then using all their superpowers in the final episode was such a blast. And those jaw-dropping cut scenes in the last episode? I can’t forget the moment you enter Omegon’s dimension and transform into Alphaon. There’s just so much greatness packed into this island’s gameplay! 🤩 (While we don’t have a full review for PoptropicCon, the last episode was reviewed by a past author.)

PoptropiCon has introduced us to amazing characters like The Mighty Action Force and Omegon (who took over the PHB in 2015) who’ve all become iconic. I adore their designs, along with the hench-bots. It’s amusing that for a convention called Poptropi”Con,” there are so few cons to mention! Alright, let’s tackle number 3.

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#3. Survival Island 🫎

The initial introduction of Survival Ep. 1 occurred on March 20 for members, followed by its release to everyone on April 17. The 5th and final episode was made available to members on September 11, with a subsequent release for all players a few weeks later in early October.

The episodic releases of this island extended over the longest duration throughout the year, thus it is undebatable that Survival Island represents a significant moment of 2014. (Check out the series of mini reviews we call PHB Quickies of episodes 1-4!)

I believe that the first two episodes somehow could’ve been effectively combined into a single cohesive episode since the gameplay lacks any eventful excitement and sort of drags out. The isolation in the first few episodes is somewhat akin to that of Mission Atlantis; however, I have a greater appreciation for the setting in Survival. It’s quite enjoyable to engage in roleplaying as if one were truly part of the scenario, even if the thrill is absent at first.

Each episode ends with a strong cliffhanger that entices players to proceed to the next chapter. The island’s appeal significantly increases upon entering MVB’s cabin and trying to escape in episode four and continues onto episode 5 as we’re being hunted down. As you navigate the challenges of the wilderness in the early stages, the final episode completely redefines the concept of “survival”. The climax was climaxing for sure. 😵‍💫

Now you might be curious as to why this island is positioned higher than PoptropiCon based on my evaluations. To be candid, the distinction comes down to personal preference rather than actual technical excellence. 😅 There also is an element of bias at play; as previously mentioned, I didn’t play PoptropiCon extensively when I was younger. I completed it only once in its entirety back then, while I have revisited Survival on numerous occasions throughout the years. Because of that, it holds a greater sense of nostalgia for me. 😊 The competition for the 4th and 3rd place rankings was quite competitive though.

Now, let us proceed to the next island on our list, shall we?

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#2. Arabian Nights Island 🕌

Arabian Nights first appeared on the map for members on October 2 and then for all players on October 23. I must admit that my younger self felt somewhat salty when this island was initially launched, as I was disappointed for not taking part in the Create Your Dream Island Contest myself. 😅 However, I am more than pleased that this submission emerged as the winner!

In terms of gameplay, Arabian Nights may not be of the highest caliber, but still this island effectively fulfills its purpose. I have always found trading in Poptropica to be enjoyable, and I appreciated its prominence in most of the episodes. Exploring the underground caves of the thieves in episode two and going through the secret door in the royal palace in episode three were thrilling and reminiscent of an epic movie. I also valued elements such as the “Donkey Kong” segment, the utilization of the magic sand bomb, and the experience of soaring on the magic carpet.

Arabian Nights features an exceptional storyline; it’s probably one of the best in the entire game actually. The characters, including Scheherazade, the princess and leader of the thieves, Samhal the genie, and Brutus the henchman contribute to a great ensemble, each possessing their own character development, whether significant or minor. The touching moment shared between Scheherazade and her father at the end was executed beautifully. It really highlighted the profoundly negative impact of greed on both oneself and those in one’s vicinity, which I believe is the main theme the creators were trying to drive home. They delivered with incredible finesse here. 👏

If that wasn’t all enough, I feel that I must draw attention to the extraordinary atmosphere that this island offers. I’m obsessed. 😍 The beautiful Arabian architecture and traditional clothing, together with the mesmerizing soundtrack (created by Jeff Heim), immerse me in the rich culture and make me feel pure bliss. (Here’s a review from right after the final installment came out by Slanted Fish & Slippery Raptor who share my sentiments.)

I’m really curious about how the final outcome compared to Sarah/Magic Eagle’s initial entry. Given that the contest was exclusively for participants aged 8 to 12, I find myself intrigued by the capabilities of such a young child, and I hope that doesn’t come off as patronizing. I’m simply amazed.

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#1. Monster Carnival Island 🎡

The highly anticipated Monster Carnival Island officially launched on February 21 for members, followed by its release to all players on March 20. This had the fandom shook to its core! (Read about the mystery revolving around Monster Carnival Island.)

With the exception of the ending, which I’ll address later, I genuinely admire nearly every feature of this island, much like my appreciation for PoptropiCon and Arabian Nights.

Ringmaster Raven is probably my favorite villain ever, which is saying a lot given the plethora of remarkable villains in Poptropica. The soundtrack also ranks highly among my favorites, particularly the piece known as Monster Carnival Main Theme by Jeff Heim. The composition possesses a unique blend of jubilance and eeriness, forming a compelling juxtaposition. 😁 As a matter of fact, I think it effectively captures the essence of the island hinting at a darker reality lurking beneath the lively and colorful festivities of the carnival. 😈

Monster Carnival is another island that notably excels in its storytelling compared to many others. The gradual transition of the setting from day to dusk and then to night during the gameplay is a nice touch in foreshadowing the terror of what’s to come, and the frightening transformation of the carnival workers into monsters as night descends is both unsettling and strangely satisfying. It gets even better with the revelation of Raven’s backstory through a series of newspapers which kind of make you feel pity and compassion for him. 🥺

Now for the ending…The original ending left many individuals within the community feeling displeased, and I find myself in agreement. It’s important to recognize that Ringmaster Raven’s attempt to hypnotize the townsfolk into slavery was indeed a serious wrongdoing, for which there is no valid justification that I can think of. Yet, the notion of reducing this man—who has suffered from bullying, dehumanization, and social rejection throughout his existence—to a state where he believes he is a chicken, thereby subjecting him to a life of embarrassment as a “funny” circus attraction, strikes me as equally distasteful. 🤨 The ending was revised in 2022 with the re-release of Monster Carnival on Steam. Some individuals including myself still find the current narrative to be unfulfilling.

Again, while I do not condone Raven’s actions, my ideal resolution would involve him receiving comprehensive counseling in a facility designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where he is treated with dignity and respect during the process. Ya know, like a human…(or Poptropican in this case?) I mean, it’s possible these events could’ve happened off-screen at Erewhon Prison after the conclusion of the island’s events, but that we’ll never know. 🫠

Additionally, I believe that everyone in the town who played a role in his suffering should offer him a direct apology—something I’m confident he would reciprocate. I sincerely wish that Raven could have experienced a redemption arc; if not on the island, then perhaps through a mini-quest or at least a statement from the creators. 😔 Something about Raven really touches me.

So, after a six-year anticipation, Monster Carnival Island undoubtedly fulfilled my expectations, despite its flaws. (A reader of ours once shared her thoughts on this island that somewhat resemble mine. 😉) I strongly suspect that the island we ultimately received is far more impressive than it would’ve been had it come to fruition in 2008 as intended.

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Well, that concludes my ranking of these islands that are now pretty much a decade old. It’s incredible to think about how much time has flown by. What are your thoughts on my list and what is your ranking of the Poptropica islands of 2014? I encourage y’all to sound off in the comments! Thanks for reading everybody. Props if you made it to the end. I know this was a super long post. 🫣 Until next time, pop on! 🍀