Editing Plok! (section)

== Reception ==
=== Contemporaneous reviews ===
{{Video game reviews
| title       = Contemporaneous and retrospective reviews (SNES)
| Allgame     = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Allgame">{{cite web|last=Alan Weiss|first=Brett|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116013459/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16620|archivedate=16 November 2014|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=16620|title=Plok|work=[[AllGame]]|accessdate=16 February 2021}}</ref>
| ASM         = 10/12{{Sfn|Hink|1994|p=51}}
| CP          = 70%{{Sfn|''Consoles+''|1994|p=144}}
| CVG         = 80/100{{sfn|Lord|1994|p=48}}
| EGM         = 8/10{{efn|In ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s review, four critics gave ''Plok!'' different ratings: two scored it 8/10, one 7/10, and another 9/10.{{Sfn|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}}}
| GamePro     = 4.125/5{{efn|''GamePro'' gave ''Plok!'' three 4/5 scores for graphics, control and fun factor, and a 4.5/5 for sound.{{Sfn|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}}}
| GStar       = 70%{{efn|While ''GameStar''{{'}}s review was mainly by Steve Polak that rated it 86%, it featured a second opinion from another critic that scored it 55%.{{Sfn|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}}}
| GameZone    = 60/100{{Sfn|Webb|1993|p=55}}
| HC          = 88/100{{Sfn|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=63}}
| Hyper       = 84%{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}
| JXV         = 15/20<ref name="Jeux">{{cite web|author=Cracramon|date=4 March 2011|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00014480-plok-test.htm|title=Test : Plok|language=fr|work=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|accessdate=16 February 2021}}</ref>
| MF          = 80%{{Sfn|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}}
| NLife       = {{rating|8|10}}<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=van Duyn|first=Marcel|date=22 September 2010|title=Plok Review (SNES)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/09/plok_retro|access-date=10 January 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]}}</ref>
| ONM         = 81/100{{Sfn|Tim|Paul|1993|p=94}}
| SJ          = 94/100{{Sfn|The Elf|1994|p=78}}
| SP          = 90%{{Sfn|Davies|1993|p=49}}
| TOT         = 80% (UK){{Sfn|Frank|1993|p=48}}<br/>5/6 (Germany){{Sfn|Amann|1993|p=71}}
| VGCE        = 9/10{{Sfn|Eddy|1993|p=56}}
| VGS         = 76%{{Sfn|Jan|1994|p=104}}
| rev1        = ''Cubed3''
| rev1Score   = {{rating|8|10}}<ref name="Cubed3">{{cite web|last=Riley|first=Adam|date=27 September 2003|url=http://www.cubed3.com/review/199/1/plok-snes.html|title=Plok (Super Nintendo) Review|work=Cubed3|accessdate=25 February 2021}}</ref>
| rev2        = ''[[Electronic Games]]''
| rev2Score   = 81%{{Sfn|Yates|1993|p=59}}
| rev3        = ''[[:it:Game Power|Game Power]]''
| rev3Score   = 87/100{{Sfn|Fury|1994|p=87}}
| rev4        = ''[[Revista Oficial Nintendo|Nintendo Acción]]''
| rev4Score   = 82/100{{Sfn|''Nintendo Acción''|1994|p=57}}
| rev5        = ''[[:de:Play Time|Play Time]]''
| rev5Score   = 80/100{{Sfn|Schneider|1994|p=126}}
| rev6        = ''[[Europress|Super Action]]''
| rev6Score   = 80%{{Sfn|Jones|1994|p=31}}
| rev7        = ''[[Paragon Publishing|Super Pro]]''
| rev7Score   = 87/100{{Sfn|Hickman|1993|p=63}}
}}

Upon release, some critics declared ''Plok!'' the best Nintendo release of 1993, as well as another classic by the company,{{Sfn|The Elf|1994|pp=72, 78}} the best platform game of the year,{{Sfn|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}} and one of the all-time best in the genre.{{Sfn|The Elf|1994|p=75}} However, ''Plok!'' was often compared to many other games of its kind, and even the most favorable reviewers expressed skepticism about playing yet another average, colorful, cutesy platform game.{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=48}} Some critics ultimately thought it was{{Sfn|Tim|Paul|1993|p=92}}{{sfn|Lord|1994|p=48}} and criticized its lack of depth.{{Sfn|Frank|1993|p=49}}<ref name = "independent"/> A frequent comparison was made to ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991 video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' (1991),{{Sfn|Frank|1993|p=48}} particularly in its "sugary" tone<ref name = "independent">{{cite web|last=Goodwins|first=Rupert|date=25 April 1994|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216225819/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/video-games-planet-leyland-buzz-aldrin-lands-an-austin-allegro-in-deepest-subterrania-rupert-goodwins-makes-sense-of-the-new-releases-1372537.html|archivedate=16 February 2021|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/video-games-planet-leyland-buzz-aldrin-lands-an-austin-allegro-in-deepest-subterrania-rupert-goodwins-makes-sense-of-the-new-releases-1372537.html|title=VIDEO GAMES: Planet Leyland: Buzz Aldrin lands an Austin Allegro in deepest Sub-Terrania? Rupert Goodwins makes sense of the new releases|work=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=16 February 2021}}</ref> and Plok's speed ball attack;{{Sfn|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}} ''[[GameStar]]''{{'}}s FI derogatorily labeled the titular character as "a puny version" of the Sega franchise's blue hedgehog, criticizing his weird design and calling him names such as "hot pink reddy coloured duck penguin thing" and "freaky pork chop."{{Sfn|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}

However, other reviewers opined that ''Plok!'' was distinguished in the genre,<ref>{{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}</ref> noting innovative aspects<ref>{{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}; {{harvnb|''Nintendo Power''|1993a|p=101}};{{harvnb|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}}</ref> such as the costume and weapon power-ups<ref>{{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}; {{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}}; {{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=61}}</ref> and limb mechanics.<ref>{{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=61}}</ref> Reviews also enjoyed its humor,<ref>{{harvnb|Hink|1994|p=51}}; {{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}</ref> such as with Plok's limbless movements,{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=49}} his power-ups,{{Sfn|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}} and nonsensical story;{{Sfn|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}} Humphreys felt it would help the game be enjoyed by even the biggest detractors of kid-friendly platformers.{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=49}} The hero was applauded for being charming,{{Sfn|The Elf|1994|p=72}} more lovable than other mascots of its kind,{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=48}} and versatile, particularly with his limbs and his costume and weapon power-ups.<ref>{{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}; {{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}</ref> Trenton Webb found the limb mechanic "quite fun to mess around with uselessly,"{{Sfn|Webb|1993|p=55}} and an ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' critic called it "catchy" with "plenty of situations to test it."{{Sfn|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}} ''Superjuegos'' writer The Elf called his vehicle power-ups "fantastic and fun,"{{Sfn|The Elf|1994|p=77}} and ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' magazine's Jason Humphreys claimed the cowboy power-up was his favorite.{{Sfn|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}

Some critics were addicted to ''Plok!''s gameplay<ref>{{harvnb|Talko|1993|p=74}}; {{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}; {{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=63}}</ref> and eulogized its playability,<ref>{{harvnb|Lord|1994|p=48}}; {{harvnb|Jan|1994|p=104}}; {{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|p=63}}</ref> perfect control,<ref>{{harvnb|Jan|1994|p=104}}; {{harvnb|The Elf|1994|p=78}}; {{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}; {{harvnb|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}</ref> and variety.<ref>{{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}; {{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|Hink|1994|p=51}}</ref> ''Super Play''s Jonathan Davies felt it kept adding new concepts as the game went on, and praised some of them, such as patterns of item placements directing the player to off-camera platforms and bouncing off water instead of drowning to death.{{Sfn|Davies|1993|p=49}}

''Plok!'''s difficulty was also highlighted, mostly attributed to the lack of a password system, save feature, and the requirement for continues to be earned.<ref>{{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|pp=48–49}}; {{harvnb|The Elf|1994|p=78}}; {{harvnb|Jan|1994|p=104}}; {{harvnb|Hink|1994|p=51}}</ref> Other contributors to the challenge included long stage lengths<ref>{{harvnb|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}</ref> and sudden obstacles such as rolling logs.<ref>{{harvnb|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}; {{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=49}}</ref> One ''Total!'' journalist reported being confused about what action to take next in some stages,{{Sfn|Frank|1993|p=48}} and another from ''HobbyConsolas'' disclosed getting lost in levels and being unable to locate targets and fleas required to complete levels.<ref>{{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=63}}</ref> While some reviewers approved of the game's difficulty,<ref>{{harvnb|Jan|1994|p=104}}; {{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}</ref> others disliked not being able to save or use passwords,<ref>{{harvnb|The Elf|1994|p=78}}; {{harvnb|Hink|1994|p=51}}</ref> reasoning it was annoying to replay earlier stages repeatedly.<ref>{{harvnb|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}}; {{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}</ref>

The cartoony graphics{{Sfn|Talko|1993|p=74}} were praised as colorful,<ref>{{harvnb|Davies|1993|p=49}}; {{harvnb|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}}; {{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|The Elf|1994|p=75}}; {{harvnb|Humphreys|1994|p=49}}</ref> surreal,<ref>{{harvnb|The Elf|1994|pp=75, 77}}; {{harvnb|Frank|1993|p=48}}; {{harvnb|Lord|1994|p=48}}</ref> adorable,<ref>{{harvnb|Lord|1994|p=48}}; {{harvnb|''HobbyConsolas''|1994|p=61}}</ref> and featuring "vivid backgrounds";.{{Sfn|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}} One reviewer called them some of the best on the Super Nintendo,{{Sfn|Frank|1993|p=48}} while another compared them to ''Equinox''.{{Sfn|Talko|1993|p=74}} FI appreciated the detail, such as Plok's breathing animation when standing still and the many "little colored flowers everywhere, looking like real flower power stuff."{{Sfn|Polak|FI|1994|p=55}} The music was highlighted<ref>{{harvnb|Semrad et al.|1993|p=38}}; {{harvnb|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}; {{harvnb|''Nintendo Power''|1993|p=101}}</ref> (by one critic as the game's best aspect{{Sfn|Sandrie|Ulf|1993|p=106}}) and noted for pushing the hardware limitations,<ref>{{harvnb|The Elf|1994|p=77}}; {{harvnb|Talko|1993|p=74}}</ref> and sound effects were praised.<ref>{{harvnb|Frank|1993|p=48}}; {{harvnb|Bro' Buzz|1993|p=108}}</ref>

=== Commercial performance and plans for a franchise ===
John Pickford and Kay had faith in ''Plok!'' being commercially successful.{{Sfn|Brookes|1992|p=18}}{{Sfn|Dave|1994|p=63}} The Pickford brothers secured [[Intellectual property|IP]] ownership of the Plok character,{{sfn|Bevan|2013|p=78}} a practice common in other media industries but rare in the video game industry;<ref name = "Plokzee3"/> and they planned a franchise around it, including sequels, ports, and merchandise.<ref name = "Plokwork"/> A [[Mega Drive]] version was planned using software created by a Software Creations employee to automatically convert SNES titles into Mega Drive games; 80% of the code was automatically converted, according to Ste, with the remaining 20% requiring manual work.{{Sfn|''GamesTM''|2014|p=8}} However, despite Webb announcing the port's completion in an April 1994 interview,{{Sfn|''GameFan''|1994|p=12}} it was never released for unknown reasons.{{Sfn|''GamesTM''|2014|p=8}}

Ste, using magic markers, created artwork for future sequels and merchandise, such as style guides for the characters and illustrations of scenes.<ref name = "Plokwork"/> The Pickfords planned for sequels to involve Plok searching for the fleas' home,<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickford|first=Ste|date=17 October 2004|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/archive/view.php?post=474|title=The Fleapits|website=Zee-3|accessdate=23 February 2021}}</ref> introduce a setting named Tower Island,<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickford|first=Ste|date=17 October 2004|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/archive/view.php?post=475|title=Tower Island|website=Zee-3|accessdate=23 February 2021}}</ref> and make Plok's comfy chair (which he sleeps on in the end credits of ''Plok!'') a more significant part of the gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickford|first=Ste|date=17 October 2004|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/archive/view.php?post=473|title=Plok goes to the Sleepy Chair|website=Zee-3|accessdate=23 February 2021}}</ref> The Pickfords also created concepts for toys used to pitch the SNES game, including a doll where limbs were attached and detached with [[velcro]].<ref name = "Miltonsroom"/> During marketing, a Plok model was created in [[3DS Max|3D Studio 4]] for a promotional photo by [[Software Creations]].<ref name = "3DPlok">{{cite web|last=Pickford|first=Ste|date=23 February 2015|url=http://www.zee-3.com/pickfordbros/blog/view.php?post=839|title=3D Plok from 1994?|website=Zee-3|accessdate=23 February 2021}}</ref>

However, in 1992, late in ''Plok!''{{'}}s development, the market saw a saturation of colorful platform games starring cute mascots, such as ''[[Bubsy]]'' and ''[[Zool]]''.<ref name = "Plokzee3"/> Ste, in 2004, publicly stated that developers and producers with more financial backing were aware of previews of the ''Fleapit'' coin-op, which may have influenced them to produce similar games;<ref name = "Plokzee3"/> though there are no other reports verifying this. Although the game sold decently over time, none of the revenue went to the Pickfords,<ref>{{cite web|last=Wallis|first=Alistair|date=7 December 2006|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/playing-catch-up-ste-and-john-pickford|title=Playing Catch Up: Ste and John Pickford|website=[[Gamasutra]]|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref> and Ste suggested that the market saturation significantly hindered its commercial performance; this, combined with Software Creations constantly changing publishers between projects, made the ''Plok!'' franchise impossible for several years.{{sfn|''GamesTM''|2014|p=11}}