My Friend Pedro stands out as a side-scrolling run and gun shooter that blends acrobatic movement with precise gunplay, all wrapped in a bizarre narrative involving a sentient banana guiding the protagonist through waves of enemies.
Gameplay
In My Friend Pedro, players control a masked protagonist who navigates levels filled with enemies, using a mix of platforming and shooting mechanics. The game emphasizes fluid movement, allowing actions like wall jumping, rolling, and swinging on ropes to traverse environments. A key feature is the slow-motion ability, which lets you twist in the air while aiming weapons independently with both hands for split aiming. This setup enables creative kills, such as lining up ricochets off objects like frying pans to hit hidden foes. Combat focuses on maintaining a score multiplier through quick eliminations and stylish sequences, rewarding precision and avoidance of damage.
The controls support strategic destruction, where you can breach windows or use the environment for cover and trick shots. Gunplay feels responsive, with options to dual-wield pistols or pick up other weapons scattered in levels. Platforming elements add variety, though some sections require careful timing to avoid frustration from finicky jumps.
Game Modes
The primary mode in My Friend Pedro is its single-player campaign, which spans multiple levels and takes about 4-6 hours to complete on a first playthrough. Each level challenges players to eliminate enemies in creative ways while progressing through underworld settings.
For added replayability, the game encourages going back to levels to achieve S ranks based on score performance. An update called Code Yellow introduced game modifiers accessible from the main menu, letting you tweak difficulty and speed settings to alter combat dynamics and extend playtime.
Updates and Current State
Since its 2019 release, My Friend Pedro received the Code Yellow update, which added those modifiers to enhance replay value without expanding the core content significantly. As of 2026, the game remains available on PC and other platforms, with ongoing player engagement evident in recent user reviews.
Is It Worth Playing?
With a Metacritic score of 78 from 49 critic reviews and a user score of 7.6 from 238 ratings, My Friend Pedro earns praise for its over-the-top violence, tight controls, and satisfying gunplay that makes every encounter feel like a choreographed action scene. Players often highlight the fun of experimenting with slow-motion kills and the humorous, absurd story. However, some note drawbacks like a short runtime, occasional tedium in later stages, and frustrating platforming moments.
If you enjoy fast-paced indie action games with a focus on score-chasing and creative combat, this one delivers solid entertainment, especially for short bursts of play. It's a strong pick for those seeking a unique twist on run and gun mechanics, though it might not satisfy if you're looking for deeper narratives or extensive content beyond the campaign.
