Hey Poptropicans, check in for a dose of character creativity…
Remember the PoptropiCon Challenges? The show is on for the first of them, the Dream Cosplay Outfit Challenge! Enjoy these poppin’ pop culture inspired looks from the community below. All participants will get a special credit reward (amount unspecified) upon logging in.
The entries include characters from books, movies, and more: meet Pop-style Annabeth Chase (x2), Robin Hood, Piper McLean, Hazel Levesque, Dolores Madrigal, James Bond, Evie, Ariana Grande, Silver Sorceress, Sadie Kane, Time Traveler (x2) with one called “Bella Bard,” a Supervillain, Hermione Granger, and a couple of nameless personas.
Stay tuned for the next challenge showcase: Mighty Action Force cards!
More fandom creativity continues on Instagram — check out the latest fan art features on Poptropica’s stories:
Imagine you step into the shoes of your avatar and become a Poptropican hero, hopping from island to island and saving the day. And imagine that, to apply for this thrilling occupation, all you have to do is check 5 requirements off a list presented to you. Only 5. Sounds easy enough, right?
If you think you’re up for the job, grab a pen, gather your wits, and keep reading!
1: Courage, bravery, and a strong will
First and foremost, all the greatest heroes are brave and courageous, and refuse to shy away when danger strikes — as it often does in the world of Poptropica. If you’re looking to protect your home from all the odd terrors it’s riddled with, you must swallow your fear, stand your ground, and hold your head high no matter what you’re facing!
Swords Drawn: Adventuring is not for the faint-hearted.
2: Speed and agility
While courage is important, it’s not the only thing. Saving the day often requires physical strength as well! To navigate your way through Poptropica’s perilous adventures, you’ll need to be agile and speedy. Whether it’s dodging weapons, jumping high walls, or outrunning Myron Van Buren, tough obstacles arise at the unlikeliest of times. Whew!
Breaking In: Better be quick on your feet.
3: A bottomless bag, for your numerous possessions
We never did get an explanation for our mysterious bottomless bag (which has the capacity to hold a picture frame, a trident, and a model Statue of Liberty!) — so it’s good to have a spare just in case it doesn’t show up right away. Or if it becomes beyond repair during the events of Mocktropica. Where would you keep all your useful items then?
In the Bag: Well, not anymore.
4: Within your bag, a handy First-Aid kit
Fast as you may be, finishing an Island unscathed is a feat Poptropica’s protagonists have yet to complete. If you’re not drowning at the hands of Gretchen Grimlock, being kidnapped by the Black Widow, attacked by Director D’s and Binary Bard’s robots… etc, etc… you’re probably still falling into cacti or being knocked off your feet by rogue animals. Poptropicans may be tough, but a handy First-Aid kit is always a good idea.
Drink Up: Even the hero’s tired sometimes.
5: Knowledge!
Knowledge is key, and this is no exception. Doing research is an excellent way to prepare for what’s in store. While reading about mythological creatures and the best way to steer a rocket may seem like a waste of time, you’ll thank yourself for doing it once you’ve boarded your blimp. Besides, you won’t have much time to read while you’re undergoing your adventuring career; best to absorb all the information you can beforehand!
Book It: Reading is fundamental.
…and that’s it! How did you do? If you managed to check everything off the list, congratulations: you’re Poptropica’s newest adventurer! If not, I’m sure there’s something else out there for you. I personally had trouble getting my hands on that never-ending bag. 😜
Anyways! That’s all for today, and I’ll see you next time.
We open on DR. JUPITER in his office, which is buried in papers that have been ignored for weeks at least. On his desk are two diagrams he’s editing. To the left is one of a machine, quite similar to what RAVEN saw before. To the right, heavily shadowed, appear to be some sort of magical instructions.
A knock on the door. JUPITER quickly shuffles the paper away among the others. A GUARD enters.
GUARD
Dr. Jupiter, we just had to intercept another major fight in the lunchroom.
JUPITER
Any injuries? I hope the high-risk ones weren’t involved.
GUARD
A little bump here and there, but that’s it. And no, the “Big Four” are still eating separately.
JUPITER
Ah, good. I want them kept well for what’s going on this week.
The GUARD looks uncertain, especially towards JUPITER’S clear prioritizing of certain inmates. She pauses.
GUARD
With all due respect, Dr., I feel that if we started more programs for the less dangerous inmates, they might have a higher chance of rehabilitation.
DR. JUPITER stands, sighing.
JUPITER
“With all due respect”, we are a HIGH-RISK prison. None of those here have any hope. All we can do is see what use they have while they remain here.
GUARD
But some of them are quite peaceful–that, raven man, for example. I don’t think it’s right to focus on what they can just do for us–
DR. JUPITER glares at her. The GUARD falls silent. A dark aura seems to appear around him.
DR. JUPITER
I will not have any of this. Good day, miss.
The GUARD freezes, opens her mouth, then closes it. She turns and leaves the office. Once the door is closed, DR. JUPITER rolls his eyes and reaches for the phone.
DR. JUPITER
Yes…I’m interested if we can hire new guards.
CUT TO Dr. Hare, sitting by himself in the lunch room, nibbling on a carrot and completely ignoring the rest of his food.
A green-haired man rushes to the window, tapping on it rapidly.
DR. HARE
Ugh, what’s going on Spike?
SPIKE
Heyhey Dr. Hare! You should have seen it!
DR. HARE
Seen what?
Several guards come and try to pry SPIKE from the window, but he keeps talking.
SPIKE
The fight! It was epic! Even that Dr. D…dude…was impressed! Very!
DR. HARE
What is with him watching everyone eat lunch?
The GUARDS finally pull SPIKE away from the window and take him away. HARE shrugs and turns back to his carrot.
It’s the end of the year, and we have two islands to mark it (totally not because I got so lost in the holidays that I forgot to make November’s post!). I’ll be highlighting both islands selected for the past couple months, which are…
While not often listed among the most favorite classic islands, many fans have good memories of Game Show Island, and it has a particularly unique design and setting! It takes the futuristic aspects of Astro-Knights and the apocalyptic ones of Steamworks, and fuses them together in an A.I.-takes-over-humanity story. Also includes the fun and games style of Reality TV, this time with more danger!
More Robots: It’s like they’ve taken over or something.
But unlike Sprocket and Merlin, these robots are not so friendly, all culminating to an epic battle against the evil supercomputer Holmes… who you defeat with a flash drive. Ahem. Definitely a brains-over-brawn island!
Deep Thought: Putting processing power to good use.
All jokes aside, this island does have a lot of fun puzzles, at times requiring players to test their real-world knowledge with fun facts! It also features several IRL locations, including Istanbul, Miami, and Buenos Aires.
Operating System: When technology meets talent, anything is possible.
For our second and final feature, Mocktropica Island is a special one that is not remembered so much for storytelling, worldbuilding, or puzzles, but for its humor that pokes fun at the game itself, and all the negative directions the game and its developers could turn… some of which are hitting a little too close to home now.
Also, the theme music is severely underrated.
Strap In: Concussion prevention starts with sensible headgear.
Mocktropica is definitely a cult classic. But will the devs ever re-release an island that would be even more self-deprecating now (especially considering the references to former employees)? Only time will tell. And let’s not forget the official Mega Fighting Bots website!
Let’s remind the Pop Creators why these islands became so memorable, and why the efforts that went to create them should not go to waste. Encourage them to preserve their past stories and their potential!
Time for spooky season, Poptropicans! 🎃 While there are several contenders for creepy Poptropica Islands (including Vampire’s Curse and Virus Hunter), I decided on one that, in my opinion, is the absolute peak of Pop’s storytelling. Many people know I love a good bittersweet tale, and this island is exactly that…
Repent: Or they’ll lock you up and throw away the key.
While naturally family-friendly, Ghost Story takes on some deep topics compared to past islands, notably death, betrayal, and the difficulty to forgive and find peace, both from the actions of others and yourself.
I actually did cover this island before in the PHB’s Ramble Review series, and you can read it here!
Spooky Scenes: Could this be a scene for a new Poptropica Island?
Ghost Story also has some quite impressive art and background design, and also included the 3D sailing map seen in Skullduggery! This is used to go from island to island in this… island. In each area you learn about the different characters, and eventually how they are all connected, from the lighthouse to the prison.
Stringing Along: Play the music if the spirit moves you.
Ghost Story is also one of the first islands (pre-SUI, i.e. pre-Sound Updated Island) to include sound! Many Poptropicans remember the shock of hearing the voice of a character, Fiona — something that wasn’t done again until Survival Island and PoptropiCon. Along with that, there’s also the short but very sweet violin song you get to play.
Ghost Story also has some soundtracks made and released by Jeff Heim! They appear to be for whenever it would be updated to SUI or ported to Haxe, although this has yet to happen.
So let’s continue Fiona’s legacy! Ghost Story and other classic islands were rendered unplayable in the Flash-Haxe transition, but it should not go to waste. Let the Poptropica Creators know what you appreciate about the island to encourage them to preserve it!
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