On Poppy Playtime Chapter 3’s anniversary (Jan. 30th, 2024), Mob Entertainment released Chapter 4. In 24 hours, this has become one of the game’s scariest episodes yet. What fans feared most for this mascot horror series was to be a marketing ploy for children. Mob Entertainment founders Seth and Zach Belanger redirected Poppy Playtime to Chapter 1’s roots in Chapter 3. Thanks to the increasing fear factor and added gameplay, it laid the foundation for Chapter 4. But what did Chapter 4 do better than its previous episode?

Fully-Set Towards A Mature Audience

Around three years ago, Poppy Playtime Chapter 2 received harsh criticism for Mob Entertainment’s marketing strategies. The Belanger Brothers released targeted cartoons of Poppy Playtime and the game’s merch store, it disgusted the fanbase. Under Enchanted Mob, these cartoons were to attract children for views and advertise the store. One critic who called out their misdeeds was Horror YouTuber, Theft King.

The Belanger Brothers tried to have people forget by releasing their multiplayer spin-off, Project Playtime. The game was seen as a cash-grab title and its gameplay felt lackluster. Mob Entertainment later took that criticism to heart to develop Chapter 3. On release, the Poppy Playtime fanbase and Horror YouTubers alike were amazed by its turnaround. The scenery had a gory atmosphere from the half-ripped Dog Day to Catnap’s red gas hallucinations. There was also added gameplay and, for theorists, great lore.

In Chapter 4, Mob Entertainment has increased the horror up to 11. There are now added human skeletons and the new monsters are terrifying. Even the secret tapes’ dialogue can send a chill down your spine. At the same time, the writers confirmed a couple of theories leading toward this new chapter including Playtime Co. production genius, Harley Sawyer.

Improved Player UI and Gameplay

Mob Entertainment could be planning to remaster the previous Poppy Playtime chapters as they did with Chapter 3. It led the way for enhancing graphics and player UI. It also introduced platforming with the Jumper and defending yourself with the Flare Gun. Here’s what the developers improved in Chapter 4:

Tightly Organized UI

Chapter 4 now has a manageable UI that allows players to see their objectives, categorize collectibles, and have easier access to Right-Hand attachments. Previously, the only tutorials were movement and the Right-Hand tapes. There are now added tutorials to reintroduce players to Poppy Playtime’s controls including a new mechanic, sidling through cracks.

Ollie the Orphan, Poppy, and Mommy Long Legs became the Player Objective directives. These objectives now appear above the Grab Pack hands. Swapping through different Right-Hands used to be assigned to Number Keys 1-4. The new Hand wheel is assigned to Q and Quick Swap with the Mouse Scroll. The inventory no longer floats in front of you. It now has a category menu offering better visibility for veteran and new players.

Flare Gun and Omni-Hand

When Chapter 3 introduces the Smiling Critters, The Player finds the Flare Gun to defend themselves against them. The ammo’s light keeps the critters away from you for spare time. Chapter 4 added a mechanic to allow the Flare Gun to burn flammable objects. They can give access to new pathways and help players develop new stealth strategies around monster chases. Mob Entertainment made sure to remind players of the Flare Gun’s burn during the final boss of the chapter.

There is also a new Right-Hand attachment called the Omni-Hand. On one of the secret tapes, Harley Sawyer built this hand for The Warden. He overrides high-security doors to escape during The Hour of Joy. While we do not know of its full capabilities, it has limited charges. Throughout Chapter 4, it carried 4 overrides to grant The Player access to certain tasks and passages.

Stealthy Escapes, Frightening Chases

Chapter 4 brings back chase sequences from Chapter 2 and boss battles from Chapter 3. Instead of playing Stoplight with Ms. Delight, The Player is constantly chased by Yarnaby. The lion dog’s introduction reminds me of Hello Puppets’ Roscoe. They both immediately attack the window trying to reach what’s behind it. His chases require sneaking around to find or make exits. Unlike the Mommy Long Leg chases’, there are no vents in this new cave facility. With the Sidle mechanic, you are required to use crevices to hide.

Hiding too late or being found in the open will result in instant death. Speaking of death, certain situations will now beat you into a bloody pulp. When The Player enters the Prison, they are challenged to close cell doors to survive the Nightmare Critter hoard. Their attacks do not instantly kill but depending on your reflexes, you could still die. It is still strange to see Poppy Playtime use blood splatters on the player camera.

However, the worst of the chases have to be Baba Sheep. You are constantly navigating to turn switches on and collect a keycard. Baba follows you spitting acid in a cramped cell room while searching for batteries. Yet, it also shows the importance of the Flare Gun. The sheep is still a Nightmare Critter after all. By accident, YouTuber Backseat learned that Dog Day is affected by the ammo despite having a larger body. Of course, it’s not known if it will break the enemy.

Chapter 4’s Presentation

Graphics and Design

It’s somewhat hard to tell but Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 looks better than Chapter 3. There’s better lighting control for certain areas that used to be too dark. Mob Entertainment also upscaled the textures on objects and models. Kissy Missy is a nice example when she appears damaged. She has a fleshy exposed exterior while maintaining her fluffy fur. The air has particles that change while traversing through caves and facility rooms.

The developers were possibly inspired by Resident Evil 4 Remake. The caves felt as if I was Leon fighting the infectees of Los Plagos. The experiment labs are interesting too as they reveal confirmed more lore in Poppy Playtime’s isolated setting. The operating rooms’ blue hues create a cold, distant atmosphere.

Chapter Plot

Chapter 4’s writing is solid if you include the notes and tapes. You get to hear more about Playtime’s experiments on the orphans and the cruelty they went through. There’s also Safe Haven where rescued toys have taken shelter from the Prototype. You can hear their skepticism about Poppy with comments like, “She’s bringing trouble,” and, “Can we trust her this time?” If you examined the walls, they expressed their resentment towards her for her disappearance. 

In-Game Animation

You can tell that the Belanger Brothers have prioritized the game’s animation for the story and the malleable Doey the Doughman. His squish-and-squash movements are a joy to watch. His skin texture isn’t smooth like Poppy or the plastic toys The Player encountered. He is speckled with dents from traveling between cracks throughout Playtime Factory’s underground.

Yarnaby is my second favorite model of this chapter. In the notes, he is described as dog-like. He growls and bobs his head as if he is sniffing. This Playtime Toy has his lion mane rigged to give it movement. His head split is well-animated and matches what was shown in his reveal trailer. His true mouth breaks out of the seams, allowing him to produce sounds and eat. 

Poppy Playtime Chapter 4’s Verdict

Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 earns its spot in the saga. By providing added elements and improved writing, it gives a good balance of lore and gameplay. It sits high in the ranking alongside Chapter 3 which brought the horror back to the game. Chapter 4 is also not perfect for its long playtime. On average, you could beat the game in 5-7 hours.

Certain chases tend to drag based on their difficulty and fighting area. Its storytelling is also the most unique by far through the character chemistry. Chapter 4 would not have hit home Harley Sawyer and Doey. They kept players intrigued by how they became monsters and their morality. Best of all, Mob Entertainment showed their dedication and determination to repeat Chapter 3’s success.