Lonely Mountains: Downhill

+ Brilliant feeling bike controls + Exactly the right level of challenge + Flawless (Reviewed on Nintendo Switch, also available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC (Steam))

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In "Lonely Mountains: Downhill," players descend through beautiful, treacherous mountains on a mountain bike. With a focus on exploration and speed, players can choose their own path and master different trails. Customization options for bikes and outfits are also available, adding a layer of personalization to the adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,283 reviews

graphics115 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Easy to learn, hard to master, making it accessible for casual players while still providing depth for those seeking challenges.
Stunning art style and beautiful landscapes that enhance the overall experience, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
High replayability with diverse trails, shortcuts, and daily challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.

The fixed camera angle can obstruct the player's view, making it difficult to anticipate obstacles and navigate effectively.
Frequent crashes due to minor collisions with objects can be frustrating, leading to a trial-and-error gameplay experience.
Progression can feel slow, as players must complete challenges to unlock new trails and bikes, which may deter some players.

graphics
186 mentions
62 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Lonely Mountains: Downhill" are widely praised for their stunning low-poly art style and vibrant landscapes, which create an immersive and atmospheric experience. Many reviewers appreciate the simplicity and charm of the visuals, noting that they complement the gameplay well, despite some minor rendering issues. Overall, the game's aesthetic is described as beautiful and relaxing, enhancing the enjoyment of the challenging biking mechanics.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the physics of the bike can actually remind you of riding.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, and the sound effects are spot on with everything from nature sounds to popping/creaking spokes.”
- “The low-poly art style is lovely looking, and playing with a PS4 or Xbox controller is a must!”
- “Along with a rather lackluster graphical package to customize my rider, the game could be offering more either in parts, or in polish.”
- “It was unplayable even on the lowest graphics settings.”
- “The graphics are easy on the eyes, though I do find some points where the camera moves too fast while too close, which gave me a bit of motion sickness.”
gameplay
139 mentions
51 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Lonely Mountains: Downhill" is characterized by its addictive and challenging mechanics, offering a rewarding experience as players navigate beautifully designed levels with tight controls. While the game features a smooth difficulty curve and encourages exploration, some players find the camera angles and certain mechanics frustrating. Overall, it combines a relaxing aesthetic with intense gameplay, making it appealing for both casual players and those seeking a more competitive experience.
- “The challenge increases as you progress, but the smooth and rewarding gameplay makes each descent enjoyable.”
- “Beautiful art style, really fun gameplay, great level design, the seasons keep it interesting.”
- “The gameplay is fun, with tight controls and semi-realistic interactions.”
- “It is one thing to be challenging, and this is just artificial padding via bad game mechanics.”
- “The mechanics are extremely punishing and there doesn't appear to be a 'fun' mode or lower difficulty setting for players who enjoy the riding but would rather not spend hours perfecting various challenges.”
- “While the art is great and the multiple controlling schemes are good, the actual gameplay and riding physics are lacking.”
music
53 mentions
32 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game features no in-game music, opting instead for ambient nature sounds that many players find soothing and fitting for the gameplay experience. While some users express a desire for a soundtrack, others appreciate the lack of music, feeling it enhances the immersion and allows for personal music to be played in the background. Overall, the absence of music is seen as a positive aspect that contributes to the game's calming atmosphere.
- “I really enjoy this game with the outdoor sounds or rocking music from my phone via Bluetooth through my Steam Deck. Trying for perfection really drives me crazy with this one.”
- “The visual style is super nice to look at and the audio design is amazing; there's no music, but that works in the game's favor as you're able to hear really peaceful nature sounds the whole time.”
- “They hit the nail on the head with the environments by not having a soundtrack and just having nature ambiance that changes with the scenery.”
- “I'd have liked music; even just brief chimes or relaxing melodies playing in the background would have been welcome.”
- “In fact, Lonely Mountains: Downhill's developers did something really interesting, which is showcasing the gameplay in trailers with sort of high-octane rock/punk music, but in-game there's almost no music at all!”
- “The sound design is okay but not nearly good enough to get away with not having a soundtrack.”
atmosphere
51 mentions
71 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals and immersive sound design, creating a relaxing yet engaging experience that captures the essence of nature. Players appreciate the beautiful art style, ambient sounds, and the ability to explore varied trails, which enhance the overall enjoyment and challenge of the gameplay. Despite some frustrations with controls, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a joy to navigate the landscapes.
- “Amazing art style and atmosphere; you almost feel like you are really riding those deep misty PNW woods or hitting rock drops in Sedona.”
- “While the atmosphere offers colorful scenery, the birds chirping, the sound of the wind, and other wildlife, this makes for a very relaxing game.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is like no other; it's just you and the mountain.”
- “However, within that relaxing atmosphere, if you are attempting the challenges, be prepared to feel the stress of the game.”
- “To start, I want to say I adore the game's atmosphere and premise, but the controls and camera make it a miserable experience most of the time.”
- “While the name and atmosphere of videos suggest a relaxing experience, the gameplay is a struggle.”
replayability
25 mentions
64 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game offers impressive replayability, with players highlighting the variety of trails, challenges, and routes available across its four mountains. The combination of competitive elements, seasonal cosmetics, and a well-designed soundscape enhances the experience, encouraging players to return for improved times and exploration. Despite its seemingly limited content, the game provides a wealth of opportunities for mastering skills and discovering new paths, making it a highly engaging choice for those who enjoy fast-paced challenges.
- “The art style and landscapes are truly stunning, and it has so much replayability if you want to go back and improve your time!”
- “You'd think this game wouldn't be very replayable with only 4 mountains, but each mountain has different trails and each trail has several challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
- “It is endlessly replayable and I feel like there are new routes to be found every time I play.”
- “However, while normally this type of time-gated, daily challenge thing doesn't hold me for long (I hate FOMO-driven engagement), in this game it actually adds immense replayability in terms of remixing tracks and forcing you to learn various alternate routes, of which there are many, some even surprising ways to descend each mountain.”
- “Very simple gameplay and doesn't look like it has much to offer but so much freedom to choose your own routes and shave seconds off a time or crash onto your face, leaving it with so much replay value.”
- “The missions for each track and the different bikes grant a lot of replayability.”
humor
24 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily derived from its hilarious ragdoll physics and the amusing crashes players experience while navigating the challenging terrain. Many users find themselves laughing at their own mishaps, which adds to the overall enjoyment and replayability of the game. The combination of beautiful graphics, atmospheric sound, and lighthearted customization options further enhances the comedic experience, making it a standout feature for players.
- “The ragdoll in this game is hilarious though.”
- “It's so much fun to cruise down the various mountainsides at a leisurely pace while admiring the lovely low-polygon rendered environments or riding wild, cutting back and forth through switchbacks, often resulting in careening off a cliff-face, and (usually) laughing at the ragdoll physics when you take a header.”
- “Gorgeous visuals, challenging rides, hilarious fails, and 10/10 sound design.”
story
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional story or character development, relying instead on its gameplay mechanics and atmospheric environments to engage players. While there are missions and challenges to complete, the absence of an overarching narrative means that the experience is driven by the enjoyment of the gameplay itself rather than a compelling storyline. Players appreciate the free-roaming aspect and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of older games, but some express a desire for more narrative depth.
- “I was unsure if I would click with this game initially, playing mainly story-driven games these days, but I'm already hooked.”
- “It reminds me of an old-school game, like from the NES generation, because this doesn't have a story or cinematic cutscenes to carry it; it has to feel good, moment to moment, or why are you playing it?”
- “Basically, because this game doesn't have an overarching story or characters to invest in, the core gameplay loop has to be so rewarding in the short term that it makes you want to keep trying, to see what you can do.”
- “It reminds me of an old-school game, like from the NES generation, because this doesn't have a story or cinematic cutscenes to carry it; it has to *feel* good, moment to moment, or why are you playing it?”
- “Basically, because this game doesn't have an overarching story or characters to invest in, the core gameplay loop has to be so rewarding in the short-term that it makes you want to keep trying, to see what you can do.”
- “There’s nothing to speak of in terms of story, although there is a bit of a background in a Steam DLC 'ASMR' soundtrack, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a great atmosphere.”
grinding
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, appealing to both speedrunners and players who enjoy a more relaxed pace. While some find the repetitive nature of grinding for time trials and resources tedious, others appreciate the opportunity for experimentation and exploration, noting that it can be rewarding and not overly frustrating. Overall, the game offers a mix of challenging grinding and a beautiful atmosphere, making it enjoyable for those who embrace the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I also spent lots of time grinding resources to buy new bikes, only for the bikes to disappear the next time I opened the game, and my spent resources don't come back either.”
- “Expect a lot of grinding and replaying of the same maps to perfect your time!”
optimization
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is praised for its solid mechanics and variety of routes that encourage players to refine their performance through micro-optimizations. However, some users report performance issues that can disrupt gameplay, although others find the game runs well even on lower-end hardware. Overall, while the game offers a satisfying challenge and exploration of optimal routes, there are calls for improvements in performance and retry mechanics.
- “Lonely Mountains had everything in place for that: solid mechanics, a good selection of tracks, and a lot of room for optimization by offering a plethora of routes.”
- “Chill but also very challenging and speedrunner-y; you can always best your result through different kinds of micro-optimizations and taking risks here and there.”
- “This game does both of those things for me: I get to explore maps to find the optimal routes down the trails, and I can learn each trail at my own pace, trying sections over and over again until I get them optimized just the way I want.”
- “Performance could be more optimized.”
- “Sadly ran into performance issues that stopped my run, but if you can get used to the game's controls, this game can both provide great challenge, and a lot of relaxation, depending on how you approach each course.”
- “Really, there are only things that would make this game better for me: (1) the ability to retry the previous section if my time was not sufficiently optimal, and (2) if I unlock a beginner level achievement with a time (or try count) low enough to beat the expert difficulty task, then it should just give it to me instead of making me repeat my performance.”
emotional
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration with the game, highlighting a deep connection formed through cycling mechanics while also feeling disheartened by sudden, unexpected failures that disrupt their progress. The emotional bond with the game is contrasted by moments of annoyance, particularly when minor obstacles lead to significant setbacks, creating a bittersweet experience.
- “Aur iske chalte cycling ke sath humara emotional bond ban jata hai aur isi baat ko core banake aaj ki is game ko prastut kiya gya hai.”
- “It's kind of heartbreaking making it all the way through difficult terrain just to be taken out by an errant twig sticking out just at the finish line.”
stability
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
57 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and older MacBook models, many users report significant bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, including momentum issues and crashes. Despite these problems, some players find that deaths are primarily due to game difficulty rather than technical issues.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED!”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Loved this on the PS4, so I thought I'd give it a try and see if it ran on my 2014 13" MacBook Pro - and it runs great with the resolution knocked down a bit!”
- “If it's that buggy before I even hit 'New Game', one can only imagine how it will be after that.”
- “You're constantly interrupted by a tiny root that glitches the character and stops momentum, along with other similar issues.”
- “It's fun and pretty, but incredibly buggy and inconsistent, especially when it comes to crashing.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy includes advertisements for the developer's new game, which may detract from the overall user experience.
- “The game is riddled with ads promoting the developer's new game, which disrupts the overall experience.”
- “Monetization feels excessive, with constant interruptions from advertisements.”
- “I was disappointed to see that the game prioritizes monetization over gameplay quality.”