Only Up: With Friends

Only Up: With Friends asks for patience more than reflexes, because this sort of climb-and-fall game is about repetition, balance and not getting rattled after a slip. By our assessment, it is the kind of co-op or competitive party game that works when a group wants shared chaos and short bursts of tension rather than deep systems. Its appeal is the simple stunt of climbing awkward routes together, then watching every mistake send progress back down. The downside is just as simple: once the joke lands, the loop can feel thin and punishing, especially if a player wants structure or variety. It sits closer to streamable obstacle games than to a full platformer, and the name tells you the main twist straight away. The best fit is for people who want a noisy, unserious session with friends; it is not for anyone looking for long-term campaign play.