Parallels

About

Parallels is a single player casual action adventure game. It was developed by RisingHigh and was released on November 12, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Navigate your way through the surreal minimal, colourful world that is Parallels. What seems like an easy journey, will soon become fraught with danger as you progress through the shadows of ever changing light.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

Minimalist 2D platformer with precise controls and atmospheric, calming visuals and soundtrack.
Challenging gameplay that rewards patience, timing, and skill, appealing to players who enjoy mastering mechanics.
Smooth performance and engaging ambient music that dynamically responds to gameplay intensity.

Repetitive gameplay and lack of visual variety can reduce long-term engagement.
Checkpoints are spaced too far apart, causing frustration and frequent restarts.
Control and interface design issues, including poorly optimized controller support and inconvenient menu navigation on death.

gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The gameplay of Parallels is simple yet challenging, centered on precise timing and spatial awareness, offering a rewarding experience for players who enjoy mastering minimalist mechanics. Its clear, focused design and smooth pacing create a meditative atmosphere, though the repetitive nature and distant checkpoints may frustrate some. Overall, it appeals most to those seeking a calm, skill-based platformer complemented by a dynamic ambient soundtrack.
- “Despite its simplicity in both controls and visuals, Parallels provides a nuanced experience that rewards patience and skill, making it appealing to both casual gamers and those who enjoy carefully mastering mechanics.”
- “The gameplay of Parallels is centered on timing and spatial awareness.”
- “While it may be limited in content and visual variety, the game’s simplicity is also its strength, allowing players to fully engage with its mechanics and enjoy a meditative yet demanding platforming experience.”
- “The core gameplay loop is repetitive by nature, and the reliance on exact timing can frustrate those who prefer more forgiving or varied challenges.”
- “I don't think it's worth the asking price; the gameplay is far too simple for that, though it's well-made enough and if this is what you're looking for then it's not bad.”
- “The gameplay is fairly simple, though pretty hard.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The music features a subtle, ambient soundtrack that dynamically matches gameplay intensity, enhancing immersion with a calming yet responsive atmosphere. Players find it relaxing and fitting perfectly with the game's rhythm and elegant design, making it an enjoyable and integral part of the experience.
- “A subtle, ambient soundtrack accompanies the gameplay, providing a sense of calm and rhythm that aligns with the sphere’s movements.”
- “The music dynamically responds to gameplay intensity, growing more urgent during challenging sequences and easing during slower, more contemplative moments.”
- “Its abstract visuals, ambient soundtrack, and elegant level design create an immersive world where skill and timing are paramount.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Parallels creates a unique atmosphere that balances tranquility and tension through minimalist visuals and thoughtful audio design. While its calming, meditative ambiance enhances the precision-based gameplay, some players may find the repetitive elements diminish the overall experience over time.
- “Parallels, developed and published by RisingHigh, is a minimalist 2D platformer that focuses on precision, timing, and atmosphere, offering a unique blend of challenge and tranquility.”
- “This combination of audio and visual design reinforces the game’s atmosphere, making the player feel both tension and serenity simultaneously.”
- “While the visual simplicity contributes to a calming, meditative atmosphere, some players may find the lack of variety repetitive over extended play sessions.”
- “While Parallels excels in precision-based platforming and atmosphere, it is a game that may not appeal to everyone.”
- “In summary, Parallels is a minimalist platformer that thrives on precision, atmosphere, and carefully calibrated challenge.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The graphics of Parallels feature a minimalist, geometric art style that complements its precise, skill-based gameplay. Despite its simplicity, the clean visuals and smooth transitions create a cohesive and immersive experience that appeals to both casual and dedicated players.
- “Its abstract visuals, ambient soundtrack, and elegant level design create an immersive world where skill and timing are paramount.”
- “Visually, Parallels adopts a stark, geometric art style that reinforces the game’s minimalist philosophy.”
- “Despite its simplicity in both controls and visuals, Parallels provides a nuanced experience that rewards patience and skill, making it appealing to both casual gamers and those who enjoy carefully mastering mechanics.”
- “However, the clean aesthetics and smooth transitions between levels create a consistent and cohesive visual identity that complements the gameplay’s precision-based challenges.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story delivers a powerful message about perseverance and embracing life's unpredictability, highlighting that overcoming challenges is key to personal growth and success.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization for controller use is notably poor, with default controls being poorly configured and not user-friendly.
- “In addition, the default controls are very poorly optimized for controller play.”