Only Up 2, developed and published by SKYZ Studio, is an ambitious vertical platformer that builds on the concept of relentless upward momentum, challenging players to ascend an enormous, surreal world filled with hazards, narrow ledges, and barely reachable checkpoints. Designed for those who crave high-stakes, high-risk gameplay, the game pushes players into a constant state of tension, where one mistake can cost minutes—or even hours—of progress. While it presents itself as a spiritual successor to the viral success of the original Only Up, this sequel aims to expand upon the formula with larger maps, multiplayer support, and more refined mechanics, though not all of these additions land as cleanly as intended.
At the heart of Only Up 2 is its level design. The world is crafted as a single, sprawling vertical environment with an enormous number of unique obstacles, routes, and interactive objects to navigate. This enormous structure is the game’s greatest achievement and most punishing feature. The sheer size of the climb is daunting, and the lack of traditional checkpoints means each fall feels like a true setback. The game is very much built in the tradition of titles like Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, where the primary challenge comes not from complex enemy encounters but from the physics and precision of the movement system itself. Players must carefully read their environment, time their jumps perfectly, and sometimes make counterintuitive decisions to progress.
One of the more notable additions in Only Up 2 is the inclusion of multiplayer and co-op functionality. On paper, this adds a new dimension to the game, allowing friends to ascend together or challenge one another in speed runs. In practice, however, the multiplayer features can feel undercooked. While the presence of other players adds a fun social layer and some occasional comedic relief in such a tense game, the co-op mode sometimes introduces more chaos than coordination. Synchronizing movements in such a precise platformer can be frustrating, especially when the margin for error is razor-thin. Still, for those who enjoy the social element of shared frustration or competitive speedrunning, the inclusion is a welcome experiment.
Visually, Only Up 2 offers a mixed experience. The level design leans heavily into surrealism, with gravity-defying architecture, floating debris, dreamlike platforms, and abstract environments. This adds to the game’s sense of mystery and wonder, but it’s offset by inconsistent graphical quality and technical hitches. Texture resolution varies noticeably between assets, some visual elements pop in too close to the player, and occasional framerate drops break immersion. The design is bold, but the technical execution sometimes feels rushed, giving the game a rough, almost early-access sheen even after its full release.
Mechanically, the game demands mastery. The controls are simple in theory but punishing in execution. There’s a constant sense that your character’s movements are subject to slightly exaggerated physics, which creates both the thrill and the agony of the game. Landing a jump on a tiny platform is immensely satisfying, but one misstep—whether due to user error or an unpredictable collision—can send you tumbling down hundreds of meters. There are no traditional difficulty settings, no helpful guides, and few forgiving moments. This is part of the game’s identity, but it can easily frustrate players who are not mentally prepared for such a demanding experience.
Community response to Only Up 2 has been sharply divided. Some players praise the intensity, the adrenaline of making it further than ever before, and the satisfaction of mastering a brutally difficult climb. Others point to glaring flaws: performance issues, inconsistent visual polish, and the sheer emotional toll of repeated failures. The game’s Steam reviews reflect this split, with a “Mostly Negative” reception at launch, due largely to technical bugs, softlocking issues, and the controversial decision to avoid implementing a save system or more forgiving checkpoints. For a game so heavily reliant on precision and repetition, these issues understandably impact enjoyment.
Ultimately, Only Up 2 is a niche experience. It is designed for a specific kind of player—someone who thrives under pressure, who sees failure not as a defeat but as a challenge to overcome. The game's brutal difficulty, enormous vertical map, and punishing fall mechanics create a uniquely stressful but exhilarating gameplay loop. While it suffers from uneven polish and some frustrating design choices, its core concept remains compelling. For players with patience, a high tolerance for repetition, and a love of physics-based platforming, Only Up 2 offers a raw and adrenaline-fueled journey to the top. For everyone else, it may be an exercise in frustration rather than fun.
Rating: 3/10
