Liftoff

About

Liftoff is a single player and multiplayer racing game. It was developed by LuGus Studios and was released on September 13, 2018. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Liftoff" is a drone racing and freestyle game that provides a realistic flight experience with its advanced physics engine. It offers a platform for both veteran pilots and newcomers to hone their skills, explore various environments, and compete against each other. The game features extensive customization options for drones and allows players to experiment with different setups.

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,529 reviews

graphics214 positive mentions

stability20 negative mentions

Liftoff is an excellent simulator for learning to fly FPV drones, providing realistic physics and a variety of environments.
The game allows for extensive customization of drones, which helps users replicate their real-life setups and improve their skills.
The multiplayer functionality and community support enhance the experience, making it fun and engaging for both beginners and experienced pilots.

The tutorial system is frustrating, with unskippable prompts that interrupt gameplay and can hinder the learning process for new users.
Some users report that the physics feel floaty and not entirely realistic compared to actual drone flying, which can lead to confusion.
The game lacks sufficient beginner-friendly maps and races, making it difficult for new players to find appropriate challenges.

graphics
369 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
35%
7%
The graphics in the simulator are generally praised for their quality and realism, with many users noting stunning visuals and immersive environments that enhance the flying experience. However, some reviews mention that the graphics can be demanding on hardware, leading to performance issues on lower-end systems. While not universally considered the best in comparison to competitors, the graphics are often described as good enough to support enjoyable gameplay and effective training for FPV flying.
- “Amazing graphics and damn near perfect physics.”
- “The graphics are stunning when camera sound is off, terrific use of shadows.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and level selection is broad, with optional race tracks for each map.”
- “The graphics are not great.”
- “Graphics are simple but gameplay is challenging.”
- “Poor graphics, performance, and physics.”
optimization
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
49%
25%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems and macOS. While some players experience smooth gameplay on mid-range PCs, others struggle with stuttering and low frame rates even on high-end setups. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance performance across various hardware configurations.
- “The detailed drone models and environmental textures create a convincing setting without overwhelming system requirements, ensuring smooth performance on a range of hardware.”
- “For me this is the best FPV simulator game, runs smoothly even on a weaker PC.”
- “Liftoff is designed to get the best balance of landscape detail (3D objects) and computer performance.”
- “Why is this game so unoptimized???”
- “I hope you have a good computer, because they did a terrible job of optimizing this simulator for performance.”
- “The performance is horrible (even on really good rigs) and the menu takes ages to load.”
gameplay
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
61%
4%
The gameplay in Liftoff is praised for its realistic flight mechanics and rewarding learning curve, making it an excellent simulator for both beginners and experienced drone pilots. While some users noted a steep initial learning curve and occasional clunky controls, the overall experience is enhanced by a vibrant community, user-generated content, and a variety of gameplay modes. Despite minor issues with menus and performance on certain systems, the game effectively helps players build confidence and skills for real-world drone flying.
- “From the start, Liftoff captivates with its precise and faithful flight mechanics.”
- “While it may not be the easiest game to pick up casually, its rewarding gameplay loop and strong community make it a must-play for anyone interested in drone piloting or high-speed aerial racing.”
- “The gameplay feels very solid and precise, with great depth to tweak every aspect to your heart's content.”
- “It feels very floaty and you have to click through pop-ups in the tutorials during a flight, which makes me crash a lot of times before I complete the level and nail the mechanics.”
- “While it serves its purpose well, there's not a lot to do in terms of varied content or gameplay.”
- “The whole gameplay is like trying to control a camera flying wildly around the map.”
music
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the flying experience, with many users describing it as "amazing," "great," and "chill." However, some players express a desire for a broader selection, noting that the limited soundtrack can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant and enjoyable aspect of the game, contributing to its immersive atmosphere.
- “Oh yeah - don't forget it: the soundtrack is amazing!”
- “The courses are gorgeous and the soundtrack has no right being this friggin' good!”
- “An awesome feeling of flight; each quad feels different; great soundtrack”
- “Basic soundtrack is immensely awful.”
- “Feels like I listen to the same 4 songs on repeat constantly.”
- “Only downfall is the music tracks get really repetitive, so fire up your own music.”
stability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
77%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting a generally smooth experience but also encountering numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in menus and during races. While some players appreciate the lack of major issues on high-end systems, others face frustrating problems like auto-resets, clipping through objects, and occasional freezing during loading screens. Overall, the game shows promise but suffers from stability concerns that can detract from the experience.
- “Seems well optimized and runs great.”
- “Runs great natively on my MacBook Pro M1 Max (Metal) as well as on my gaming PC.”
- “Although this is important, it is not buggy, and I had no issues even on the less well-tested Linux platform.”
- “Menu is buggy; tutorial pretty empty; you can get stuck under every single map and you can go inside every single object (ramps, seats, trees, panels), it's like a 'no-clip' which lets you go in but not out.”
- “The constant clipping glitches are infuriating.”
- “Sadly sometimes the loading screen freezes and I have to force quit.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The game's story aspect is largely absent, with players noting a lack of a narrative-driven campaign and minimal storytelling elements. While some reviews highlight a historical context related to SpaceX and Elon Musk's vision, the overall focus remains on gameplay mechanics and practice rather than a compelling narrative. Consequently, those seeking a rich story experience may find the game lacking.
- “The story begins with the early days of SpaceX, focusing on the vision of Elon Musk, his ambition to revolutionize space travel, and the hurdles he faced in securing funding and support.”
- “The author skillfully weaves together the technical aspects of the space missions, the struggles faced by the team, and the human stories behind the achievements.”
- “Epic story.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There is no story, no unlockables; this game stays fun as long as you like flying drones.”
- “Game is okay, but trying to get these updates is a different story.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Overall, the game boasts high replayability, particularly due to its competitive elements like personal best times and multiplayer options. However, some users feel that the limited number of maps and modes could enhance the experience further. Despite these limitations, many find the game infinitely replayable, especially for those looking to improve their skills.
- “The 3 lap races let me compete against my personal best times, which make for great replay value and shows me when I am improving.”
- “Bottom line: looks great, best replay value of those I've tried, and great exposure to beta flight and lingo for newbies.”
- “The multiplayer surely adds to the replay value, but even without it, flying a drone will always remain a challenge; it is more of a simulator than a game, it is a tool to help you get better.”
- “Could use more maps and customizability for more replayability.”
- “The multiplayer surely adds to the replay value, but even without it, flying a drone will always remain a challenge. It is more of a simulator than a game; it is a tool to help you get better.”
- “Only 2 levels are playable and only acro mode is flyable.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke spontaneous laughter, with players enjoying funny skins and amusing moments throughout gameplay. While the tutorial can be frustrating, it also provides comedic relief, and the game's quirky elements, like time travel lap times, contribute to its lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the active developer team enhances the experience with their engaging and humorous approach.
- “Perfect for learning FPV – and failing spectacularly while laughing.”
- “It's the first time I've caught myself smiling and laughing spontaneously while playing a video game.”
- “Funny simulator with several amazing maps.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be both tedious and rewarding; while the initial experience may feel overwhelming and frustrating, players often find satisfaction in mastering the mechanics over time. The track editor is noted as particularly finicky, adding to the overall grind, but many appreciate the long-term benefits of practice, such as saving money on repairs.
- “First 20 minutes: unbelievably tedious.”
- “Also the track editor is incredibly finicky and tedious to use in my (admittedly limited) experience with it.”
- “About a month later (about 20 hours of playing Liftoff) I built my first FPV racing drone and although I've had more than my share of crashes, I can honestly say that Liftoff may have saved me hundreds of dollars and hours of tedious repairs.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
Users express a strong emotional connection to the game, with one reviewer noting that the tutorial evoked tears, highlighting its impactful design. The game is praised for its effectiveness in teaching FPV drone mechanics, fostering a sense of achievement and confidence in players, though some report feelings of nausea due to non-fluid gameplay. Overall, the emotional responses range from joy and nostalgia to discomfort, reflecting the game's complex impact on players.
- “The tutorial made me cry.”
- “Having been a complete beginner two times, I can confidently say that learning in the original LiftOff is the best way to get your FPV skills up to a pretty decent level.”
- “Definitely one of the better sims out there for learning to fly as well as touching up on skills.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
Reviews indicate a mixed perception of monetization, with some users criticizing the reliance on paid DLC and labeling it a cash grab, while others appreciate the app's value despite the monetization strategy. Overall, the approach to monetization has sparked debate among players regarding its impact on content delivery and value.
- “The microtransactions are fair and don't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “While I appreciate the additional content, I believe the continued paid DLC contributes to a monetization strategy that could be improved.”
- “The game strikes a good balance with its monetization, offering optional purchases that enhance the experience without being necessary to progress.”
- “The lack of content updates combined with the continued paid DLC feels like pure monetization.”
- “This game feels like a cash grab.”
- “While the app is nice, it seems more like an advertisement for Vortex than a standalone game.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its vibrant community, where experienced players engage in competitive discussions while beginners receive support. Additionally, the game's visual design and realistic drone mechanics contribute to an immersive experience, with outstanding map quality enhancing the overall ambiance.
- “I love the atmosphere of the community, where pros fight head to head about the best lap time while beginners learn and get help and hints from more experienced pilots.”
- “Liftoff has an amazing atmosphere with its visual appearance, the drones fly like they would in real life, and the maps are simply outstanding work.”
- “It's as if it got tired of my incompetence and just left the atmosphere.”