POPUCOM is a co-op puzzle platformer from Hypergryph, the studio behind Arknights, published by GRYPHLINE and Fireshine Games on 1 June 2025 at 19.99 dollars. Two players carry a rainbow blaster that fires coloured gum, and nothing pops until three pellets of one colour land together. Each player only controls two of the four colours, so almost every puzzle is a communication problem before it is a platforming one.
POPUCOM features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anti-Pomu War HQ | Level 1 | Blaster fundamentals, first Goodiebots, arcade unlock | Match closer |
| 2 | Windmill Meadow | Level 2 | First boss clear, stickers, Goodiebots | Match closer |
| 3 | Ocean Rig | Level 3 | Gadget mastery, stickers, Goodiebots | Setup shooter |
| 4 | Pancake | Hub | Cosmetics, base upgrades, minigame access | Setup shooter |
| 5 | Arcade Room | Hub | Minigames, collaboration content, a break from hard rooms | Setup shooter |
Anti-Pomu War HQ: Starting Area
The tutorial stage and first level. It establishes the match three rule and the two colour split before any real hazard shows up, and clearing it unlocks arcade content back on Pancake.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1 |
| Key Rewards | Blaster fundamentals, first Goodiebots, arcade unlock |
| Recommended Build | Match closer |
| Key Equipment | Shield |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Colour matched shooting. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Windmill Meadow.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Windmill Meadow: Early Game
The second level, an open outdoor stage that adds moving colour gated platforms and finishes on a boss fight. It is where most pairs first discover that shouting colours out loud is mandatory.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 2 |
| Key Rewards | First boss clear, stickers, Goodiebots |
| Recommended Build | Match closer |
| Key Equipment | Shield |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Two colours per player. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Shield if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Ocean Rig.
Ocean Rig: Mid Game
The third level, set on an offshore rig, and the point where the gadgets from the opening stages stop being optional conveniences.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 3 |
| Key Rewards | Gadget mastery, stickers, Goodiebots |
| Recommended Build | Setup shooter |
| Key Equipment | Shield |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Rainbow blaster becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Colour gated obstacles for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Pancake: Late Game
The vessel you return to between stages. Rescued Goodiebots improve it, the Closet holds gear and cosmetic customisation, and the Arcade Room sits aboard it.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Hub |
| Key Rewards | Cosmetics, base upgrades, minigame access |
| Recommended Build | Setup shooter |
| Key Equipment | Rainbow blaster |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Rainbow blaster should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Goodiebot rescues mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Arcade Room.
Arcade Room: Endgame
A room aboard Pancake holding unlockable minigames including a 2D shooter, a physics volleyball game, a grid matching game and an orbital bubble collector. An Arknights collaboration added Captain Bunny's Showdown: POMU Flood free to all owners.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Hub |
| Key Rewards | Minigames, collaboration content, a break from hard rooms |
| Recommended Build | Setup shooter |
| Key Equipment | Rainbow blaster |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Collectible sweeper for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Anti-Pomu War HQ → Windmill Meadow → Ocean Rig → Pancake → Arcade Room. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More POPUCOM Guides
- POPUCOM POPUCOM Overview
- POPUCOM Best Builds
- POPUCOM Tier List
- POPUCOM Walkthrough
- POPUCOM Beginner's Guide
- POPUCOM Tips & Tricks
- POPUCOM Weapons Guide
- POPUCOM Combat Guide
- POPUCOM Boss Guide
- POPUCOM Crafting Guide
- POPUCOM Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy POPUCOM, check out these related guides:
- Escape Simulator Maps & Locations: puzzle game with similar mechanics
- Pico Park Maps & Locations: puzzle game with similar mechanics
- Portal Maps & Locations: puzzle game with similar mechanics
