One Way: The Elevator

About

One Way: The Elevator is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Cotton Game and was released on August 13, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

One Way: The Elevator is a puzzle-adventure game where players operate a sentient elevator. You'll meet quirky characters, explore procedurally generated levels, and solve increasingly complex puzzles to reach the top floor. With charming pixel art and witty dialogue, One Way offers a unique and engaging experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 144 reviews

story36 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features adorable artwork and a heartwarming story that resonates emotionally with players.
Puzzles are generally enjoyable and well-integrated into the levels, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
The unique point-and-click format allows for a relaxing gameplay experience, making it suitable for casual players and those looking to unwind.

Some puzzles can be frustratingly illogical or overly simplistic, leading to a lack of challenge for experienced players.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content or depth.
There is a lack of clear instructions or guidance, which can lead to confusion about what is interactable and how to progress.

story
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The game's story is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, complemented by beautiful artwork and music. Players appreciate the unique concept and emotional depth, with many noting the balance between lightheartedness and underlying sadness. While some find the story straightforward or familiar, it remains engaging and memorable, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “Art style is wonderful, music is nice, and the story is well told and touching.”
- “Such a beautiful experience when it comes to visuals, narrative and music, with a story so touching and lighthearted I could feel the water building around my eyes.”
- “The story is quite sad but in the end very uplifting as you make your way up the elevator and beyond.”
- “No challenge nor story; the characters are cute, but I won't remember this game for long.”
- “Also, the story is manipulative and ham-fisted.”
- “Even though the game is lighthearted, I think there is a sad underbelly of the game that can hit you pretty deep; I was genuinely close to crying as I tried to put the plot together.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
6%
6%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and adorable artwork, often likened to a European anime style, which enhances the heartwarming narrative and calming music. Players appreciate the rich visuals and animations, describing them as delightful and emotionally engaging, making the overall experience both satisfying and visually appealing. However, some users noted that while the graphics are fun, the user experience can be confusing at times.
- “The artwork is beautiful and there is a sweetness and joy to the animation.”
- “Thoughtful stories, rich graphics and catchy music combine to pull on your heartstrings.”
- “Such a beautiful experience when it comes to visuals, narrative and music, with a story so touching and lighthearted I could feel the water building around my eyes.”
- “The art style resembles a European anime film.”
- “To be honest, I was interested in the game because of the graphics.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely praised for its emotional depth, with many players finding the story both heartwarming and touching, often evoking tears and nostalgia. The beautiful artwork, calming music, and well-crafted narrative contribute to a unique experience that balances sadness and joy, making it one of the most emotionally impactful games in its genre. Despite some frustrations with long animations, the overall sentiment highlights a profound connection to the story and characters.
- “The story is simple but heartwarming. I love the old style of art and animation point & click like this game, so I'm feeling nostalgic.”
- “This is arguably the most heartwarming game I've ever played in my life while also being one of the saddest.”
- “Such a beautiful experience when it comes to visuals, narrative, and music, with a story so touching and lighthearted I could feel the water building around my eyes.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its calming and emotive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a beautiful and relaxing soundtrack. Reviewers highlight how the music complements the touching narrative and stunning visuals, creating a heartwarming atmosphere that resonates with players. Overall, the combination of thoughtful storytelling and catchy tunes contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Thoughtful stories, rich graphics and catchy music combine to pull on your heartstrings.”
- “The soundtrack was very relaxing and easy to enjoy.”
- “Such a beautiful experience when it comes to visuals, narrative and music, with a story so touching and lighthearted I could feel the water building around my eyes.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay is generally well-received, with players appreciating the clear progression and engaging story, complemented by enjoyable animations and characters. However, the presence of challenging mechanical puzzles without a skip option is noted as a significant flaw, potentially hindering the experience for some players. Overall, while the puzzle mechanics may pose a challenge, the narrative and aesthetic elements enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Loved the story and the gameplay!”
- “So there is no getting lost, wondering who to speak to to further the story/gameplay.”
- “Decent puzzle gameplay aside, I think you're really going to enjoy the story because it has a beautiful message, enjoyable soundtrack, gorgeous animation, and funny characters with dorky faces.”
- “Other puzzles are mechanical and there is no skip feature - which is perhaps the only flaw in this game.”
- “I must warn that the game also has some mechanical puzzles, such as moving 8 cubes in a 3 by 3 space or connecting tubes. I know many people struggle with those, and there is no way to skip them.”
- “So there is no getting lost, wondering who to speak to in order to further the story/gameplay.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of "One Way: The Elevator" is praised for its peaceful and unique concept, effectively harmonizing with the game's narrative. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create an engaging ambiance that complements its challenging puzzles.
- “One Way: The Elevator is a peaceful game; it has a truly unique concept and a good atmosphere that harmonizes with the story.”
- “Nice puzzle game with a good atmosphere and challenging puzzles.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game offers high replayability as every level can be revisited to discover missed items and hidden areas, allowing players to fully explore the content at their own pace. Completing the game is possible without achieving everything, encouraging players to return for a more comprehensive experience.
- “Every level is replayable in case you missed something.”
- “The game will still complete without achieving everything, which for me makes it highly replayable in order to finally find everything and discover the hidden areas that add quite a bit of extra time to the game.”
- “The game will still complete without achieving everything - which for me, makes it highly replayable in order to finally find everything and to discover the hidden areas that add quite a bit of extra time to the game.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the grinding mechanics for being engaging and not overly tedious, allowing for a rewarding experience without feeling like a chore.
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its funny characters, characterized by dorky faces, which contribute to an enjoyable narrative experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with a beautiful message, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the story.
- “Decent puzzle gameplay aside, I think you're really going to enjoy the story because it has a beautiful message, enjoyable soundtrack, gorgeous animation, and funny characters with dorky faces.”