Only Up!
Embark on an exciting journey in Only UP! Exploring a huge world full of secrets and mysteries, you have to get as high as possible, and the most interesting starts above the clouds...
What it feels like
Jackie's journey from poverty toward something better above the clouds carries an earned optimism despite systemic hardship. The world hints at enigmatic secrets half-glimpsed above the clouds, drawing the player forward with withheld answers and hidden truths. The journey of self-discovery and climbing toward aspirational goals invites reflection on personal growth and escape from hardship.
What it's about
A long transformative climb through a surreal vertical world serves as the narrative spine, with discovery and self-understanding as the true destination. Jackie's passage from youth in the ghetto to learning about the world and self-knowledge anchors the narrative arc of growing up. Jackie's quest to learn about herself and escape predetermined poverty-bound identity drives the thematic core.
How it plays
Fluid free-running across vertical environments via vaults, wall-runs, and climbs is the definitive core mechanic—the entire game revolves around ascending through parkour movement. Double jumps, dashes, and expressive aerial control are essential to navigating the vertical world and reaching higher platforms. Jumping and navigating hazardous vertical geometry and platforming challenges form the primary moment-to-moment gameplay loop.
How it looks and sounds
The camera follows Jackie from behind or over the shoulder, standard for parkour platformers and essential for spatial awareness during climbing. The world features illustrated, stylized 2D and 3D art with painterly qualities evoking hand-crafted aesthetics in its environmental design.
How it's structured
Every space is deliberately authored by designers to form a cohesive vertical world of secrets and mysteries rather than generated. Designed as a focused, bite-sized experience that can be completed in relatively short sessions without sprawling scope. Explicitly single-player with no multiplayer component, emphasizing the solo journey of self-discovery.
Kindred games
Shares Platforming, Air Mobility, Parkour, Handcrafted World.
Both lean into Platforming, Air Mobility, Parkour, Single-Player.
Shares Air Mobility, Platforming, Short Playtime, Nonlinear Progression.
Both lean into Single-Player, Air Mobility, Platforming, Short Playtime.
Shares Platforming, Parkour, Third-Person, Short Playtime.
Both lean into Platforming, Parkour, Single-Player, Third-Person.
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Third-Person, Handcrafted World, Journey & Pilgrimage. 85% positive across 4,626 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Platforming, Third-Person, Handcrafted World, Single-Player.
A lesser-known kindred — Handcrafted World, Third-Person, Journey & Pilgrimage, Contemplative. 90% positive across 4,965 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Single-Player, Handcrafted World, Third-Person, Contemplative.
A lesser-known kindred — Platforming, Handcrafted World, Contemplative, Short Playtime. 87% positive across 4,351 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Platforming, Handcrafted World, Single-Player, Contemplative.