UPBEAT

TLDR: It's a new release, it's a niche genre, but damn this game is a LOT of fun. Especially when trying to beat your friends or other people's high scores. The solo dev is new to development, but promises further content and refinement after release. All around, perfect buy: low risk, HIGH reward. Oh and it doesn't take a serious rig to play it either! There's absolutely nothing negative I can say about this game. I will admit that I'm a bit biased for this project as I've literally been following Upbeat since its first iteration. However, if there was something seriously lacking or wrong with it, believe me: I'M the guy to point that out. Calypso Labs and its solo dev, showcased the first version of Upbeat from an Itch.io game jam where this project placed in the top 10% of the event. He decision to rebuild the project from a 2D pixel platformer with static levels to a 3D endless scroller with an abundance of cool features is inspirational. I know I've had more and more fun with each iteration this project has gone through. I've played the 2D version, the various stages of the demo, and now the full, 1.0 release. Is it a game changing or even genre-defining project? Probably not, but even the dev knows this and isn't trying to make Upbeat anything more than it's meant to be: a great fun, session game, that's as much fun as it is a palette cleanser. I'm still trying to beat the global high score LOL. I've had quite a few discussions with the dev and he's said that he's planning on adding more music and possible other content in the future. Given how busy this guy is and that game development isn't his primary, or only, occupation, he's seriously batting 1000 here if you ask me! I mean, you can run the levels with a predictable seed generator or randomized, which by itself is VERY cool. Moreover, honestly, I would be surprised if you could run this game on a toaster it's so low req. Anyway, Upbeat and its protagonist "Chillman," are amazing and the experience is nothing short of possible rage-inducing fun.