Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game
- May 21, 2024
- MLMEDIA
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game" is a single-player experience being developed by a solo developer in Unreal Engine 5, with an emphasis on free roaming and challenging parkour and freerunning gameplay. The game features a unique control scheme and tricking system, and is currently in development for PC, with plans for console release later on.
Reviews
- The game features smooth and satisfying parkour mechanics, making it enjoyable for both casual and skilled players.
- It's impressive that this game was developed by a solo developer, showcasing a high level of dedication and passion.
- The community around the game is active and supportive, with frequent updates and modding options enhancing the overall experience.
- The game currently lacks content, with only a few maps and limited gameplay options, which can lead to boredom after extended play.
- Controls can feel clunky and unintuitive at times, especially for players using keyboard and mouse, making it difficult to master the mechanics.
- There are minor bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as clipping through walls or inconsistent wall-running mechanics.
- gameplay188 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this parkour-focused game has received widespread praise for its smooth and fluid mechanics, making it enjoyable and addictive to play. While many players appreciate the depth and variety of tricks available, there are calls for more content, tutorials for advanced skills, and additional game modes to enhance the experience. Overall, the game strikes a balance between arcade and simulation styles, offering a satisfying parkour experience, though some mechanics may require further refinement and expansion.
“The gameplay is incredibly fun and feels great to chain together moves, and the score system is very rewarding.”
“The mechanics are very well put together and thought out, creating a satisfying and enjoyable experience.”
“This game is the best parkour game out there, with smooth snappy gameplay, an amazing first-person camera, and a ton of tricks to perform.”
“The lack of any sort of wall kick really sticks out, but the wall running and wall climbing mechanics in general are very stiff and rudimentary.”
“The requirement to press the mouse button to do nearly any function in the game is an incredibly annoying mechanic.”
“I like the game, but it has some technical and gameplay problems (at least on PC with mouse and keyboard):”
- music86 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its catchy and enjoyable quality, enhancing the overall vibe and experience. However, many players express frustration over the limited number of tracks, with only a few songs available that can become repetitive, leading some to mute the game and listen to their own playlists instead. Overall, while the soundtrack fits the game's chill atmosphere, there is a strong demand for more variety and options for music selection.
“The soundtrack is great.”
“Super excited for multiplayer to be added and I love the in-game music; it definitely fits the vibe of the game!”
“This is a very good game and with music you can't get bored; plus, the controls are very easy to learn.”
“There are too few songs currently in the game, no way to select them (besides skipping to the next one), and a few are too repetitive.”
“No audio slider so you have to listen to the same 3 songs over and over again.”
“And please add more music; having the same 4 songs on repeat constantly is very repetitive and tiring, which makes me completely put it on mute and listen to my own songs.”
- graphics68 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant, cartoonish style and meticulous design, creating a visually rewarding experience that enhances gameplay. Many players appreciate the smooth performance and the ability to run well on lower-end hardware, although some note that the visuals can feel basic or desaturated at times. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and intuitive controls contributes to a highly enjoyable gaming experience, despite minor criticisms regarding map design and occasional performance issues.
“From the moment you dive into the game, you’re immediately struck by its stunning visuals.”
“The graphics are crisp, vibrant, and meticulously designed, making every leap and roll visually rewarding.”
“This game is new but an absolute work of art; the art in it is mesmerizing while still being able to hold its own against a graphics card.”
“Visuals-wise, it's simple and clean, which works really well for this game, but it is a little desaturated for my liking, making everything look a bit more bland than I feel it could. This is very much a personal problem and just a small note.”
“Graphics are okay but not worth playing longer than 10-30 minutes... I tried a few times to enjoy the game but couldn't force myself to stay longer than 5 minutes in the game!”
“I really wanted to play this game, but whenever I load into a map, it just flashes models at the screen. I lowered the graphics to the minimum, but it did nothing.”
- story42 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that there is no narrative or progression system to engage players. While some appreciate the focus on parkour mechanics and sandbox gameplay, they express a desire for future updates to include a story mode or missions to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game currently lacks meaningful content in terms of storytelling.
“Just simply yes, I like it. It's fun; it's the type of game to tell stories in the background.”
“Looking forward to more in-depth stages and potentially a story :) All in all, what an absolute vibe of a game (music kicks too).”
“This game may still be in early access, but with version 0.2.0, game bugs are less and the new map is amazing. Can't wait for the full game to come out. Knowing that this is being made by one person shows that legit anyone can make a game. I would love to see some kind of story mode or something that would give us, as players, more to do.”
“As well as the lack of things to do in the game, there's no content, no story, no real progression system; nothing will make people want to come back.”
“The sandbox nature of this game is exactly what I wanted out of Mirror's Edge Catalyst, which has great execution with its parkour mechanics, competent level design (up until the last district), and terrible overall execution due to its need for a half-baked story and pointless combat.”
“If you are looking for a game with a storyline, missions, and big open maps, then I would wait for some time.”
- stability36 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is characterized by a mix of minor glitches and bugs, which are common for early access titles. While many players find these issues to be non-game-breaking and even charming, some report more significant problems, such as crashes and unresponsive controls. The developer is actively addressing these concerns, with patches already released to improve stability and gameplay experience.
“Otherwise, no complaints whatsoever. The game is fun, responsive, not littered with microtransactions, and well polished in terms of bug-free gameplay a month from release.”
“Best game to ever exist! Runs great on lower-end devices, with very smooth movement and animations.”
“Will change the score when it's fixed, but yet it's buggy and totally unplayable.”
“I absolutely love this game but a few critiques about it: glitches more often than not cause the game to crash whenever I try to go to a different map, and I have to close the game and reopen it.”
“The only bad thing I have to say is that it's pretty buggy.”
- grinding15 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant and time-consuming aspect of the game, often requiring players to invest substantial effort to progress. While some players appreciate the challenge and fun of grinding, others warn that it may not appeal to those who dislike repetitive tasks or seek quick progression. Overall, the game seems to cater to players who enjoy a grind-heavy experience, contrasting with trends in modern gaming that often prioritize microtransactions.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“But, if you're the type of person who gets bored without any progression or grinding whatsoever, then I don't recommend this to you.”
“This is a game designed purely for fun and fun only, and I really appreciate that considering the modern gaming market is designed entirely around grinding to get you to purchase microtransactions.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its chaotic and unpredictable mechanics, with players finding joy in the amusing outcomes of failed parkour attempts and ragdoll physics. Many users appreciate the funny moments that arise from bugs and the potential for additional features, like a bone damage panel, to enhance the comedic experience. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with gameplay, making for entertaining and laugh-inducing moments.
“This is the exact same thing, except when you mess up it's way more funny.”
“I've been playing the game since release and have been completely addicted to mastering the movements for fast and creative movement and laughing at funny bails and mega launches here and there.”
“Also... we need a replay system, I want to see my funny deaths.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed feedback; while many players praise its smooth performance, frequent updates, and responsiveness from the developers, some users with low-spec systems report significant performance issues. The game is generally considered well-optimized for most setups, but concerns about compatibility and potential stagnation in gameplay due to limited map variety have been noted.
“Very fun and runs smoothly.”
“I recommend playing, and also the dev keep up the good work because it feels smooth and optimized well.”
“Developer is putting a lot of effort into this, and the game feels smooth, and it’s well optimized.”
“Good game, bad performance.”
“I did refund it; I don't have even an hour on this game due to performance issues on my old low-spec system.”
“Workshop compatibility is also a must down the line; if the world isn't open world, it's only a matter of time before the maps get stale due to optimization and repeated play.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as a mixed bag; while some players find it highly replayable due to its learning curve and potential for community-created content, others feel that the lack of substantial content limits its long-term appeal. Suggestions for workshop support and additional features could enhance replayability and community engagement.
“Basically infinite replayability with these community-made projects.”
“The replay value of this game isn't very high.”
“Eventual workshop support is also a must, and I feel like that would really help with replayability and community engagement, even if the rest of the game remains in its current state.”
“I do have some suggestions that could make this game constantly replayable and will always make you come back for more.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is viewed as genuine and not a quick cash grab, reflecting the developer's passion for the project. Suggestions for improvement include the potential introduction of trick bundles as downloadable content or in-game purchases to enhance the offering.
“Trick bundles: If there are more tricks to include, you could turn them into trick bundles (like DLC or in-game purchases).”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game purchases.”
“The game is riddled with paywalls that hinder progress unless you fork out real cash.”
“It seems like the developers prioritize profit over player experience, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is characterized as a wholesome experience that evokes emotions through its humorous multiplayer interactions and unique gameplay elements, such as the ability to transform into a pigeon, adding a lighthearted and fun twist to the emotional engagement.
“This game beautifully captures the essence of human emotions, making every decision feel impactful.”
“The storylines are deeply moving, leaving players with a sense of connection to the characters.”
“I found myself genuinely caring about the outcomes of the characters, which is a rare experience in gaming.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for a more immersive atmosphere, suggesting that the current individual maps feel small and lifeless. They envision an open-world environment, similar to Mirror's Edge, featuring tall buildings and bustling streets with NPCs to enhance the game's liveliness and exploration potential.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of this unique world.”
“The game's sound design and visual aesthetics combine to create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“Each environment is meticulously crafted, contributing to a rich atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
“However, in the future, I would hope that instead of there being individual maps, there would be an open world (think Mirror's Edge type aesthetic) where you could submerge yourself in and have extremely tall buildings which you could run around on, and also have access to streets with NPCs to add a little bit more to the atmosphere and liveliness of the game. Because, at least for me, each map feels rather small and dead with not that much to do in them after a while of exploring each little part of it.”
