The Upturned

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,414 reviews
  • humor
  • gameplay
  • story
The Upturned Game Cover
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"The Upturned" is a relaxing, open-world sandbox game where players help rebuild a colorful village by solving puzzles and gathering resources. With a variety of vehicles, tools, and decorations to unlock, players can customize their experience and enjoy a peaceful, creative atmosphere. The game also features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, adding to the immersion and tranquility of the virtual world.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,414 reviews
humor610 positive mentions
stability8 negative mentions
  • humor610 mentions

    The humor in "The Upturned" is widely praised for its quirky and chaotic nature, seamlessly blending comedic moments with genuine scares. Players appreciate the clever dialogue, absurd situations, and the charming character interactions, particularly with the hotel owner, Ik. This unique mix of humor and horror keeps players engaged, often eliciting laughter and screams in equal measure, making it a standout experience in the genre.

    • “I'm amazed at how Upturned managed to create such a quirky, humorous game while still sneaking in some genuinely scary jumpscares.”
    • “It's panic-inducing and hilarious, often at the same time, which is quite a feat.”
    • “A great blend of some genuinely funny and out-of-pocket jokes and gags to some anxiety-inducing and terrifying sections, this game has given me major trust issues with hallways, floors, and mannequins and I couldn't be happier.”
  • gameplay373 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Upturned" is widely praised for its engaging blend of humor and horror, utilizing a simple yet effective physics-based mechanic centered around throwing objects. Players appreciate the variety in level design and mechanics, which keeps the experience fresh and entertaining, while the comedic elements and well-crafted dialogue enhance the overall enjoyment. Despite some minor criticisms regarding repetition and difficulty, the game is celebrated for its unique charm and memorable characters, making it a standout title in the indie scene.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and the story is surprisingly well told.”
    • “Every core aspect of the gameplay is excellent, with nothing ever dragging on or overstaying its welcome.”
    • “The gameplay is wacky and fun, and the story is very engaging, albeit a bit silly.”
    • “To be completely honest, I found the gameplay to be frustrating more often than I found it fun.”
    • “The only negative point about this game for me is that the gameplay stagnates a bit at parts in the latter half in my opinion, but for a game this short and in the face of everything it does well this is barely a complaint.”
    • “Firstly, the throw mechanic is hard to use because first you have to look at the object you want to throw and then you have to properly aim with an object covering almost all of your vision in some cases.”
  • story370 mentions

    The game's story is a delightful blend of humor and horror, featuring engaging characters and a surprisingly deep narrative that keeps players invested throughout. While some found the plot to be simple or occasionally rushed, many praised its charm, creativity, and emotional resonance, making it a standout experience in the genre. Overall, the storytelling effectively balances absurdity and meaningful themes, contributing to a fun and memorable gameplay experience.

    • “The story and characters are also surprisingly fleshed out and likable!”
    • “The story is deceptively simple, yet effective and powerful once you fully absorb its themes and narrative.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging and the story is surprisingly well told.”
    • “The story doesn't feel developed and it's a bit disappointing.”
    • “I think also that the mysteries and plots are not well concluded, like the dog that you release at the start-middle of the game and never is mentioned again until he appears randomly at the end section of the game, or the plot of the mystery man that gives the mystery box to Ik and never is explained why he gives the box to Ik.”
    • “For the most part, the story happens in the background, and you don't really get to interact with it nor with the actors involved in it.”
  • music149 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its unique and engaging soundtrack, which perfectly complements the game's blend of humor and horror. Reviewers noted that the music enhances the gameplay experience, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere that keeps players entertained and on edge. Many expressed a desire to purchase the soundtrack, highlighting its catchy and memorable tracks that contribute significantly to the game's overall charm and identity.

    • “The writing, the music, and even the game's design choices create such a profoundly unique identity for the game, and it's for this reason that I wish it got more attention.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, it made the floors more exciting to complete.”
    • “I simply love everything about this title: the story, the level design, the challenge, the music (I had to go back and buy the soundtrack, something I rarely do but I simply had to do it, every single track in the game was a jam and a banger)... I cannot recommend it enough.”
    • “I hear boss music' is not a one-off sentence in the trailer; it's the entire style of the game: goofy all around.”
    • “I will say that I did like the silliness of the game itself; it was fun when you got the mechanics down, the puzzles were mostly easy but tedious, and the battle music was crazy; it definitely had my heart racing in some parts but out of anxiety, not fear.”
    • “I have never played a game that has been so horrifying and comedic at the same time; the whole premise is absolutely ridiculous and terrifying. The soundtrack also sets the tone for how it can make you so worried and how a good soundtrack can really elevate the experience.”
  • graphics128 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines cartoonish elements with a lighthearted horror aesthetic. Players appreciate the nostalgic, low-poly visuals that enhance the comedic and spooky atmosphere, making the gameplay both fun and engaging. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, offering a delightful mix of humor and tension that resonates well with players.

    • “The story is something I really didn't expect; it was amazing following through all these floors. The graphics are always on point and give a real original touch to the game, maybe a bit repetitive with the gameplay on some floors, but it's always fun discovering new creatures and gameplay elements!”
    • “Amazing visual appearance and art style.”
    • “Genuinely good fun in a goofy horror format with plenty of humor and charming graphics.”
    • “It definitively isn't for everyone but it's way more coherent than it seems at first glance, don't let the low-res graphics and kind of dank video presentation fool you, although don't expect an award-winning story since the game doesn't take itself very seriously.”
    • “Going with the low-poly, pixelated graphics instead of hi-res detail.”
    • “There's no jumpscares, the ambience and tension can be good, but aren't what bring the horror, and there's no spooky visuals.”
  • atmosphere69 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of horror and comedy, effectively combining chilling elements with whimsical visuals and sound design reminiscent of titles like Luigi's Mansion. Reviewers highlight the creative world-building, engaging enemy mechanics, and the ability to evoke genuine scares without relying on cheap jump scares, creating a captivating and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both entertaining and unsettling, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “This is such an incredible game with such a unique and enjoyable atmosphere.”
    • “The jump scares are top notch and the horror atmosphere is perfect, and what I personally love about it is that all of the enemies, save for three I think, can be either defeated or distracted in ways that allow you to fight back and out-maneuver them, taking away the helplessness that turns me off of most horror games.”
    • “Amazing game with fun platforming, genuinely good horror, a distinct and endearing atmosphere, and charming, well-written dialogue paired with a story that sneaks up on you but has real effort and emotion behind it, and an ending that leaves you satisfied and really resonated with me.”
    • “Although the game doesn't ever really try to build a creepy atmosphere, be prepared to get jumped during the game as it likes to have enemies pop up from the darkness from time to time.”
    • “The fact that it doesn't rely on a spooky JPEG with a loud noise and instead focuses on the atmosphere and how to set up monsters to make you feel unsettled and eventually scared rather than forcing a scream out of you with a screamer.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is very much comedy/horror (think of Courage the Cowardly Dog).”
  • emotional50 mentions

    The game is praised for its unexpected emotional depth, blending humor with heartfelt moments that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted that it evokes a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears, particularly highlighting the impactful ending that left them emotionally affected. Overall, it is described as an emotional rollercoaster that successfully combines horror elements with a touching narrative.

    • “I cried by the end of this game and wished for more.”
    • “One of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, the ending caught me really off guard, it caused me to get quite emotional.”
    • “It's a game that manages to have excellent humor while still having a really nice and touching story.”
  • character development26 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its unique and abstract designs, which are described as fun, endearing, and visually striking. Players appreciate the creativity behind the character aesthetics and the humor infused in their designs, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. The lore and distinct personalities of the characters, such as the ribcage monster, further enhance the game's appeal.

    • “The story, the dialogue, character design, and the music are so great!”
    • “I like the character designs; while simplistic, they're very fun and endearing.”
    • “Love it, love the character designs, creatures, lore, etc.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
    • “While the character designs are visually appealing, the lack of meaningful growth or change in the characters is disappointing.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, primarily enhanced by secret collectibles and bonus levels that may add a few extra hours of gameplay. While some players appreciate the unique levels and memorable characters, the general consensus is that the game does not require extensive replay due to its structure and the diminishing impact of fear in horror games. Players can expect an engaging initial experience, but the replay value is deemed just "okay."

    • “Its very replayable because of its short-term dialogue options that sometimes temporarily affect the way you play and the collectibles you can find.”
    • “The story's intriguing, and there's even replayability in the form of collectibles and bonus levels!”
    • “Each level is unique, the characters are memorable, it has wonderful sound design, and I've found it quite replayable.”
    • “Sadly, there isn't much replayability, but at least you're going to have an amazing experience playing through the game for the first time.”
    • “There are secret collectibles that allow you to play bonus levels, which does help boost the replayability; that being said, they most likely won't add more than 1-3 hours (depending on how many collectibles you missed).”
    • “I estimate with the hunting of the few collectibles and the unlocked secret stages, you might have an average playtime of 6-12 hours, minimal if no replayability.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some minor issues, particularly with dialogue, are noted to resolve themselves, the overall performance is described as poor, leading to frustration and regret for some players. Despite these issues, a few users still found enjoyment in the gameplay, indicating that the fun factor can sometimes outweigh the technical shortcomings.

    • “It just doesn't run well and is a lot more buggy than when I first played it.”
    • “So buggy, and so much random stuff out of your control happens that you will 100% regret buying this once you get to a certain point.”
    • “Every time I thought I knew what was coming, I was proved wrong. It has its quirks and a couple of glitches that still need fixing, which tested my patience.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly due to the necessity of replaying sections that involve unskippable dialogue and choices. While the mechanics and puzzles can be enjoyable once mastered, the repetitive nature of certain tasks can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Though, if you want to try your hand at replaying a section, you may have to sit through some dialogue and make dialogue choices that you can't skip, which can be a bit tedious and annoying if you've already seen it.”
    • “While a little tedious at times.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game suffers from poor optimization, with users noting that vsync is consistently disabled upon launch, leading to potential performance issues.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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