May 26, 2026
By Kenzy Mahmoud
Staff Writer
The renowned indie horror game series Poppy Playtime is mysterious and thrilling. So far, the series includes four chapters, each continuing the story from the last. Unfortunately, Poppy Playtime Chapter 4, released on Jan. 30, 2025, does not live up to the quality of the previous chapters.
Chapter 4 goes deeper into the abandoned Playtime Co. factory. What was once a popular toy company is now dangerous, dark and full of secrets. Years ago, scientists tried to put children’s souls into toys, but the experiments failed, causing chaos and leading the company to shut down.
Compared to the other three chapters, this one features more lore-heavy content, reveals more secrets and introduces new characters, all of which deepen the plot’s mystery. In this game, users continue to take on the roles of former workers searching for answers, exploring hidden areas and finding clues about what really happened inside the factory.
Poppy Playtime 4 has remarkable character design, with each toy’s appearance reflecting its job and personality. These striking designs make the characters both recognizable and important to the game’s creepy charm.
The two most important characters introduced in this chapter are Doey the Doughman and the Doctor. Doey seems a little out of place, but is important to the plot, helping players defeat the toy Yarnaby, while the Doctor is connected to the experiments. By revealing or hinting at their past in the factory, these two characters force the player to doubt whom to trust.
Compared to the other three chapters, this one features more lore-heavy content, reveals more secrets and introduces new characters, all of which deepen the plot’s mystery.
The voice acting is also impressive. It contributes to the characters’ realism and heightens the game’s tension and users’ understanding of the toys. They speak in terrifying, uncomfortable ways that spark curiosity, adding to the game’s horrific tone. For instance, with his creepy voice, the Doctor leads players to question what they have learned so far about the factory.
The music varies. Chase scenes feature heavy sounds and industrial beats, while normal gameplay has low, unsettling beats. This adds to the game’s dark atmosphere and sense of uneasiness.
The visuals have somewhat improved, uncovering new areas within the factory and portraying an eerie environment. The bugs and glitches make gameplay frustrating, though. For example, users get stuck against walls or other objects, preventing them from moving on.
The gameplay is creative and innovative. Like the rest of the games, Poppy Playtime 4 features a tool called a grab pack that players use to solve puzzles and complete challenges. The puzzles, however, are bland, repetitive and unclear. In large areas, they are confusing to navigate.
This game is fun, but with bugs and confusing puzzles, it is a step back from earlier chapters. Therefore, new users to the franchise should steer clear of this game. However, dedicated fans curious about the game’s latest developments will find that it’s worth checking out Poppy Playtime Chapter 4.
