Pony Island vs The Hex: Which Daniel Mullins Game First?

If you’re trying to decide between Pony Island and The Hex, play Pony Island first. It’s shorter, simpler, and introduces the meta-narrative tricks that define Daniel Mullins’ style, making The Hex’s more complex twists land harder when you get to them.

Formula

This calculator works out your average running pace and speed from a finish time and distance. The formulas are:

• Average pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
• Average speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Variables: t = finish time in minutes, d = distance in kilometers. Pace is expressed as minutes per kilometer; speed is kilometers per hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values (50 minutes, 10 km):

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So a 50-minute 10K means you ran at 5:00 per kilometer, which is 12 km/h.

Background: Two Games from the Same Mind

Daniel Mullins is a Canadian indie developer known for games that break the fourth wall and mess with your expectations. Pony Island (2016) was his breakout: a puzzle game disguised as a broken, possessed arcade machine. You play as someone trying to free a trapped soul from a demonic pony game. The Hex (2018) followed as a darker, more ambitious take on the same idea: six characters in a tavern are drawn into a side-scrolling adventure that turns out to be a commentary on game design, violence, and player choice.

Both games are short, story-driven, and best experienced blind. The key difference is scope: Pony Island is a tight 2–3 hour experience, while The Hex runs 6–8 hours and juggles multiple genres. That alone makes Pony Island the natural starting point.

How Each Game Works

Pony Island is a series of mini-games and logic puzzles inside a fake arcade UI. You click, type, and solve glitchy obstacles to help a soul escape. It’s linear, with a clear goal and a steady drip of surprises. The humor is dry, the horror is light, and the meta moments are frequent but easy to follow.

The Hex is a collection of six mini-adventures, each with its own genre: shooter, RPG, fighting, stealth, puzzle, and visual novel. You play as characters from a fictional game universe, and the story unfolds through dialogue, exploration, and combat. It’s more mechanically varied but also more demanding. You need to learn new controls every hour, and the narrative threads require patience to untangle.

How to Choose What to Play First

Ask yourself three questions:

• How much time do you have? If you can only commit to one sitting, Pony Island is the clear pick. It’s beatable in an evening.
• Do you like genre-hopping? The Hex switches gameplay styles constantly. If that sounds exhausting rather than exciting, start with Pony Island’s consistent puzzle loop.
• Do you care about lore? Both games share a connected universe (with Inscryption later). Playing Pony Island first lets you spot references in The Hex that you’d otherwise miss.

If you’re a completionist, Pony Island also has a simpler achievement list. The Hex has multiple endings and hidden paths that can take 10+ hours to fully explore.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Players often get stuck in Pony Island at the typing sequences or the “glitch” puzzles. The trick is to pay attention to the fake terminal messages—they often hint at the solution. In The Hex, the biggest frustration is the combat sections, especially the shooting levels. They feel clunky by design, but you can lower the difficulty in the options menu without losing story content.

Another common issue: both games have jump scares and dark themes. If you’re sensitive to flashing lights or sudden loud noises, play with headphones off and brightness up. Neither game is graphically intense, but the sound design is deliberately unsettling.

Pony Island vs The Hex: Direct Comparison

• Length: Pony Island ~2–3 hours; The Hex ~6–8 hours.
• Gameplay: Pony Island is mostly puzzles; The Hex is a genre anthology.
• Story focus: Pony Island is about a single trapped soul; The Hex is about six characters and a murder mystery.
• Meta elements: Both break the fourth wall, but Pony Island does it more gently. The Hex’s twists can feel hostile if you’re not used to Mullins’ style.
• Replay value: The Hex has more branching paths and secrets; Pony Island is more linear but has a few hidden endings.

If you only play one, Pony Island is the safer bet. If you’re already a fan of weird indie games, The Hex is the richer experience.

Costs and Where They Fit

Both games are priced as small indie titles (typically $5–$10 USD, often on sale). Pony Island is frequently bundled with other Mullins games, so you might get it cheaply as part of a collection. The Hex is a bit more expensive but still budget-friendly. Neither requires a powerful PC; they run on almost any laptop from the last decade.

If you’re on a tight budget, start with Pony Island. It’s the lower-risk purchase, and if you love it, you’ll be happy to pay for The Hex later.

Safety and Comfort While Playing

Both games contain flashing images and sudden loud noises. If you have photosensitive epilepsy, play in a well-lit room and take breaks every 20 minutes. The Hex also includes depictions of violence and suicide themes—nothing graphic, but it’s emotionally heavy. Pony Island is lighter, but it does have a creepy clown and some horror imagery.

For younger players, Pony Island is rated T for Teen (violence, language), and The Hex is rated M for Mature (blood, violence, strong language). Neither is suitable for young children.

Alternatives if You Want Something Different

If you finish both and crave more of Mullins’ style, Inscryption (2021) is the obvious next step—it’s a deckbuilder with similar meta horror. For a lighter take on the “game inside a game” trope, try Doki Doki Literature Club (free, but with heavy content warnings). If you want pure puzzle games without the story, The Witness or Baba Is You offer more mechanical depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to play Pony Island before The Hex?

Not strictly, but it helps. The Hex references Pony Island’s characters and events in subtle ways. Playing Pony Island first makes those moments feel like inside jokes rather than confusion.

Which game is scarier?

The Hex is more unsettling because it’s longer and the horror creeps in gradually. Pony Island has a few jump scares but is mostly playful. If you’re easily scared, start with Pony Island.

Can I play The Hex without finishing Pony Island?

Yes, the story stands alone. You’ll miss some references, but you won’t be lost. The Hex explains its own rules and characters well enough.

How long does it take to 100% each game?

Pony Island can be fully completed in about 4–5 hours if you chase all secrets. The Hex takes 10–12 hours for all endings and collectibles, mostly due to its longer story and multiple routes.

Are there any known bugs on modern systems?

Both games are stable on Windows 10/11 and Steam Deck, but some players report audio sync issues in The Hex. A common fix is to disable the in-game music and keep only sound effects, or verify game files via Steam.

Which game is better for streaming or YouTube?

Pony Island is more viewer-friendly because it’s shorter and the twists come faster. The Hex’s slow-burn mystery is better for a dedicated series, but it requires more editing to keep pacing engaging.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2