Only Up!

Only Up! Is an innovative 3D casual platformer that allows gamers of all ages to immerse themselves in a unique game world set in the clouds. Based on the popular fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk", the developers of this title from SCKR Games have managed to craft a highly engaging adventure that will test the skills, push the players to think tactically, and enable players to explore a highly unique gameworld where our hero must always travel higher and higher.

One of the defining gameplay systems in the game is its lack of a built-in save game option, which makes each of its levels a tense journey where players know that they must execute their acrobatic moves with complete precision, or they will be sent further down, forcing them to repeat parts of their journey and conquer difficult environment again and again.

The saving grace of this affordable title is that it is not long, enabling players to finish it in just a few hours. Thankfully the game's asking price is set fairly low, far from the premium prices of games with longer single-player campaigns.

Key Features

• 3D casual platformer with unforgiving gameplay.
• A unique game world set in the clouds.
• Based on the popular fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk".
• The restrictive save game option raises atmosphere and tension.
• Agile animation system.
• Diverse landscapes, buildings, and architectural elements.
• High difficulty level.
• Minimalist user interface.

How to Play

This third-person action platformer is played with a standard set of controls that many gamers are used to today. Our main hero Jack is controlled like any other action hero in modern video games, featuring an agile animation system and the core ability to jump.

This simple control set enables players of all ages to get immersed in the unique adventure where every level is set higher and higher into the clouds, with diverse landscapes, buildings, and architectural elements stringed together into a unique floating puzzle space where one wrong step can send the player back to the death or previous stage of their climbing progress.

With each passing level, the difficulty level becomes higher and higher, pushing players to become more and more precise with their moves, but also leading them to the more impressive gameplay zones that are very attractive and well worth exploring.

The campaign length of this indie-grade 3D platformer can last average players around 4 hours of playtime, but talented speedrunners can reduce that time significantly and can finish it in around one hour. But to get to that stage of proficiency, players will need to become very knowledgeable and precise, which requires a lot of preparation, practice, and a lot of luck.

However, users should be aware that the overall difficulty level of this title is quite high. While some levels are a bit more open and offer numerous ways to get lost or start climbing structures that don’t lead toward the main objective, many players find it quite hard to navigate due to its unforgiving nature where every fall can lead to the loss of progression.

User Interface

As for its main interface, this Only Up! game almost features no on-screen distractions, letting players completely immerse themselves into the surreal architectural creations that they need to climb on and find the safe way to rise higher and higher toward the clouds. This uncultured approach lets players freely explore the game world around them without attention-breaking elements such as in-game maps, timers, and other HUD elements.

FAQ

What is Only Up!?
Only Up! is a 3D platformer game for PC set in a unique world in the clouds, based on the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk".

Is it safe?
Yes, the game is safe to play and does not contain any harmful content.

How is the game distributed on PC?
This game can be purchased on the PC digital storefront Steam, which also handles the downloading, updating, and installation management of this title.

Does this game feature premium add-ons?
No, this game only offers its core 3D platforming campaign. There are no additional levels, gameplay modes, or expansions available either for purchase or free download.

Does it support gamepad controls?
Yes, this game can be fully played from beginning to end with both keyboard/mouse and compatible gamepads.

Alternatives

Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy – An innovative 2D platformer with difficult control set that tasks players to travel up beyond the clouds using nothing more than a swinging mallet.

Celeste - A challenging indie 2D platformer with strong narrative elements, praised as one of the best platforming titles of this decade.

Hollow Knight - A beautifully designed side-scrolling action-adventure game with string platforming elements and a large game world filled with incredible combat variety.

Pricing

The game has a fair asking price, considering its length and the unique experience it offers. It costs less than $10, and frequent price drops enable players to purchase it for just a few bucks, making it one of the best deals in the 3D platforming genre.

System Requirements

Since this game hosts a fully featured 3D game world with very detailed and expansive environments, it does require more powerful system resources than many other competing indie platformers.

Minimum PC specs:

• OS – Windows 8
• CPU - 3.1 GHz  Intel Core i5-6600 or 3.5 GHz AMD R5 1600X
• RAM – 8 BG
• GPU - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or stronger
• Storage – 6GB of free space

Recommended PC specs:

• OS – Windows 10/11
• CPU - 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 10400 or 3.1 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 2600x
• RAM – 16 GB
• GPU - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or stronger
• Storage – 6 GB of free space

PROS

• The unique and engaging game world.
• Challenging gameplay.
• Fair pricing.
• Minimalist user interface.

CONS

• The high difficulty level may not appeal to all players.
• The lack of a save game option can be frustrating.
• Some levels can be confusing to navigate.

Conclusion

Only Up! game is quite a unique and solid platforming experience that offers players an engaging and challenging 3D platformer that will test their patience and force them to be extremely precise with their in-game traversal skills.

While the fans of the platforming genre will find this title extremely rewarding, this game can also provide many hours of entertainment to regular gamers who are willing to test themselves in a game world that has no mercy.