When a Game is Too Simple | "Going Up?" Review

[@Graeldon]

UPDATE: As of January 2024, "Going Up?" is now FREE on Steam! It hasn't received any updates to the game itself though, so the rating remains the same.

[@jameswatson7246]

Developer was likely enlisted. That "socks" = "health" is a military thing.

[@Graeldon]

The more you know!

[@N12015]

That explains why you used Socks in Mario&Luigi to gain health.

[@anti-usernamesaltaccount3623]

Is that were the ‘drink some water and change your socks’ advice came from? Bc my dad uses it every single time someone feels bad

[@jameswatson7246]

@@anti-usernamesaltaccount3623 yup.

[@fabiofanf3e813]

sad to see that half of these games are either: A) a scam B) just a bad game or C) a game made by begginer game devs that gave up after their 1st or 2nd game, leaving behind a megamind of potential and ideas to rot away

[@MelodyLumina]

c is the saddest tbh

[@jameswatson7246]

I'm in category C. I have no clue what to do now.

[@TwilightRogue15]

@@jameswatson7246 I would be more than happy to help with ideas if you would like. I'm nobody right now, but I am developing my own RPG game at the moment. If nothing else, I might help to inspire an idea. Either way, don't give up! Try new techniques, toss random ideas at each other to see what feels right to you, and check out some new music and stories you might not otherwise. Even if you don't like them, they just might inspire an idea within you.

[@TheBreadPirate]

That last one is especially devastating.

[@richmcgee434]

When simply being playable stands out above the norm...sigh.

[@Graeldon]

I have to keep trying to reset my benchmark for what "good" is

[@richmcgee434]

@@Graeldon The top of the Pyramid is obviously #Snake2 DX, after which you get to the second-string games like, say, Dark Souls or Tomb Raider or Half-Life. :)

[@Graeldon]

@@richmcgee434 🤣🤣

[@Richardiii2]

I wonder if this project will warp your view on what a "good game" even is, since you will play the 90% of Sturgeon'sLaw.

[@Graeldon]

It's something I always try to be mindful of. Play too many bad games and you can start to forget what a good one looks like. At this point I get excited by a good options menu

[@snood4743]

It’s worked that way for movies with me. I have seen true garbage and now even SyFy channel CGI impresses me, lol.

[@jptoner]

Honestly I think this would be an acceptable free mobile game, but ABSOLUTELY not what I’d want from a paid game

[@Graeldon]

I agree - give me a few more castle layouts, and tweak the battle system and it'd be a passable free mobile game

[@ArjunTheRageGuy]

Just no microtransactions, or if there is, just leave it as cosmetics and not something that affects gameplay, when as a mobile game

[@lmao2302]

dawg it's like a dollar.

[@Morshu_DarkSouls]

I really like how you give constructive criticism and ideas for the game. I always prefer reviews that are more than just making fun of how bad a game is. (Though those videos are fun too) This game had a pretty neat concept honestly, and it is a shame that there isn't more to it. Lots of missed opportunities with this one.

[@Graeldon]

Thanks for the kind words! I would love to see the idea of this game taken further as it definitely has some potential

[@bladerdj3503]

This does look fun for a mobile game or something. If it had multiple towers (such as an ancient tree, a vulcano, etc.), something to build/grind for it could be an interesting game. Also with the sprites and designs it does feel like someone poured their love in their first ever game so I can give this game a benefit of a doubt. The UI looks fun and I'm a sucker for Pixelart.

[@J-S-Gpc]

thats why larry wanted the gold

[@Graeldon]

The question is: what will he do with it?

[@J-S-Gpc]

@@Graeldon holy shit when did u get 402 subs!!!!!!! congrats

[@Graeldon]

@J-S-G literally overnight haha Thanks for being here since day 1

[@J-S-Gpc]

@@Graeldon ya no problem thanks for making good content i remember whn you only had like 8 subs lol

[@Graeldon]

@J-S-G yeah, it's been a fun journey so far!

[@sinisterdesign]

Wait, wait...quotation marks are literally a part of all these games's titles? Is that why they're showing up "alphabetically"? Oh man... 😅

[@Graeldon]

That's correct! Quotation marks, hyphens, exclamation marks... all tricks to move the games store listing to the top of the alphabetical order.

[@masako8980]

@@Graeldon i think it's actually okay in this instance, since they're genuinely quoting something

[@Graeldon]

@masako8980 This one and "Life";Not Found used then in an acceptable way. I think Steam shouldn't include punctuation when determining where a game is placed in the alphabetical order though.

[@EndertheDragon0922]

@@Graeldon Ohhh that makes sense. I was confused why this video and the last one started with G.

[@catgirl185]

I like how simple this game is. I’m a very busy person with noise sensitivities and slow reaction speed. I don’t like how most games tend to expect more from a person. This is a nice and short game with a few dialogue paths to explore. I’ll probably be picking it up soon to check it out! :)

[@connordarvall8482]

This game feels like something I would have played in the computer lab at school in 2007.

[@reeflux]

On Friv specifically

[@amelialonelyfart8848]

So, there was a trend of games on Newgrounds back in the day where you would progress in a single dungeon, typically a tower, with automatic battles and occasional mini-bosses and shops. I almost thought this was like a modern incarnation of those types of games, so I was disappointed when I learned the tower was pretty small. The art of the game is actually pretty nice, though -- not mind blowing but it has a mood to it. The music you overlayed almost made the whole experience seem like the game was this dreary, anxious experience in with a bad ending. Actually, I think this game being so limited almost makes it feel like it's apart of an anthology of sort.Think about it, an anthology of 5 or so short, hour long mini-games like this all about the coup of a kingdom, all from different perspectives, times and places.

[@jbdbibbaerman8071]

This def seems like a decent starting point for a really fleshed out game. I agreed with pretty much all your suggestions. It could unironically be a really fun game if it were more fleshed out

[@Graeldon]

A bit more love and dev time and it could have been something quite interesting! Some more levels and variety and I'd play it on mobile

[@ptb1ptb2]

Acshually, there's a common-ish theme of (cheap) Japanese RPGs where you just advance from one (identical looking) room to the next and get one random encounter (treasure, monster, trap) in each. The trailer for this is super advanced in comparison. Lol.

[@liliflower1376]

I love how encouraging you are! I hope the dev sees this one day and is inspired to try again

[@EdKolis]

I wonder if this came from the 7 Day Roguelike game jam?

[@MCraven120]

4:22 "The elevator can only go one floor up or down at a time" 👀

[@average_trans_furry]

I figured out what the potions skill does! whenever you buy it potions gain 1 additional hp

[@guydoesthings7580]

i'm kinda sad that this dosen't have the content you mentioned in the suggestions because now i wanna play this to the point i kinda wanna make it but i don't wanna rip off some random dev no-one knows

[@BJGvideos]

Maybe contact the developer and ask if they want to team up

[@erikrounds]

This game does seem like it has potential. I tend to enjoy roguelites/likes as long as the core gameplay is fun enough to justify playing it over and over.

[@soundrogue4472]

Going Up reminds me of the flash game RPG tower where you're going up and fighting enemies but this time around with actual depth.

[@Keyanlux_Deluxe]

My guy got hit e blooket music

[@stripeback2024]

This game isn't bad as a proof of concept tbh. If I had the know-how and resources I might try making a spiritual successor to this.

[@Sketchguy1248]

it really seems like this was made for a gamejam and just wasn't really updated for the steam release.

[@petersmythe6462]

"Only two reviews both of which are positive." I watched 3 blue 1 brown. I know this is statistically a 75% approval rating.

[@GeorgeDCowley]

1:30 Your music starts as you say there's no music.

[@Graeldon]

It wasn't my best editing decision 😅 I added music, but could have time it better for sure. My first video was my first attempt at editing, I've been learning a LOT as I've progressed this series

[@kristof821]

Crazy project in a good way. Wonder if you'll ever make it to B. Some games I think could use a compilation episode as they are just too trashy or broken. Keep it up.

[@Graeldon]

Thanks for the kind words! Whenever possible, I try to group related games together, especially if they are very similar, or there isn't much to say about them

[@that-queer-fnaf-theorist]

Hii just found this channel, but its driving me nuts- what song is playing in the background for most of the video? Or around 3:30 during the overview, i recognize it but idk where

[@Graeldon]

Tracks used were RPG Map Music (Looping), RPG Theme (Looping) and Trouble in the Kingdom (Looping) by Eric Matyas. All can be found for free at soundimage.org Enjoy!

[@andreworders7305]

This is a fairly inspired premise

[@Hijiri_MIRACHION]

Does anyone know the song that plays throughout the video? I really like it.

[@Graeldon]

Luckily I had it saved! Tracks used were RPG Map Music (Looping), RPG Theme (Looping) and Trouble in the Kingdom (Looping) by Eric Matyas. All can be found for free at soundimage.org Enjoy!

[@geekjokes8458]

one of my pet peeves is inconsistent pixel size everything drawn has the same pixel size except for icons and coins, and they look so off-putting

[@petersmythe6462]

Make the elevator assistant a possible twist villain but only with some lines of dialogue leading to it.

[@CuteKittyMeep]

LOL the blooket music

[@andreworders7305]

0:47 it’s a remake?

[@KurohyoShinso]

Raw Metal does the elevator roguelike thing pretty well, I think

[@andreworders7305]

Did the devs ever respond? I’d be interested to hear what they said.

[@petersmythe6462]

It is too simple. Honestly too simple even for an early access. But as long as they haven't coded themselves into corner this looks like it should have potential.

[@klank9409]

wow your voice deepened from the glow ball episode

[@Yoshilisk]

pog, rogue legacy mention. playing through the sequel atm and it's genuinely fantastic. i tend to be... stubbornly judgmental toward sequels that change a lot of gameplay elements, but the vast majority of changes in RL2 are clear improvements, and some of the traits & weapons are SO silly i do miss a few jokes that got left behind though. RIP "bald" trait

[@Blockinstaller12]

I like the concept, but it certainly lacks soul, as well as content. Maybe worth a look if it was free.

[@KasumiRINA]

You were making elevators in RPGs jokes and didn't mention Mass Effect? The game famous for trying to mask loading screens with very... long... elevator... talks.

[@Gingerminks]

I spent 5 minutes trying to figure it out but I can't remember I recognise the background music you use but can't remember what it's from what is it?

[@Graeldon]

All the music used is listed on screen in the outro =)

[@Gingerminks]

@@Graeldon oh my bad thank you :D

[@chexgex2834]

I know I'm late but, did you ever get a response from the devs?

[@Graeldon]

Unfortunately, no. Not sure if their account is even still active

[@alexjoana3081]

I'll comment this here since it's more relevant of a place to do so than that other video, but just wanted to let you know that this game is free now, in case you want to update the spreadsheet. I think you missed my other comment, no big deal if you did!

[@Grog]

Omg thank you for bringing up Rogue Legacy, thats where i thought this game was gonna go but alas not 😅

[@andreworders7305]

What does leaving the tower do?

[@Graeldon]

Simply ends the run. Larry leaves with however much money you've collected so far, but you can't do anything with it

[@TiiAye]

Fun idea but the gameplay is literally a mini game from candy box 2

[@andreworders7305]

Perfectly good for the price! The animation is pretty nice too.

[@hermitxIII]

It's like a really bad monster train.

[@entityunknown2]

Its like those fake mobile games where the higher number wins

[@taisato2091]

that was a sweet game

[@andreworders7305]

How is this one so high on this list with a “G”?

[@CassiusZedaker-pr7kc]

It's in quotes

[@mandyogilvie686]

904 like

[@Banana0_0Manly]

Wtf happened to your sound bruh???

[@SteveMacSticky]

Not game good