Tools Up!
- December 3, 2019
- The Knights of Unity
- 6h median play time
A fun and lighthearted couch co-op multiplayer game with a simple, but appealing home renovation gameplay formula fine-tuned for party chaos!
"Tools Up!" is a chaotic party game where players cooperate to renovate multiple apartments in a rapidly changing environment. Each player assumes a different role, such as painter or carpenter, and must work together to complete tasks before time runs out. With challenging levels and unexpected obstacles, proper communication and teamwork are essential to achieve success.
Reviews
- Cozy and relaxing co-op gameplay that encourages teamwork.
- Fun and engaging with a variety of levels, making it enjoyable for family and friends.
- Cute graphics and a soothing soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
- The game is relatively short and lacks replayability, with many levels being too easy.
- Controls can be frustrating, with issues in item selection and placement leading to gameplay annoyances.
- No native online multiplayer support, relying instead on Remote Play, which can be problematic.
- gameplay23 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally easy and accessible, making it suitable for casual play, especially in couch co-op mode, though it lacks depth and variety in mechanics and challenges. Players appreciate the satisfying completion of tasks but note that the campaign feels short and repetitive, with limited cooperative elements that require teamwork. Overall, while it offers fun for a brief period, the lack of complexity and excitement may lead to a quick decline in interest.
“Definitely a good game to relax and have fun at the same time with your co-op partner, at least in campaign mode, which in my opinion is the core gameplay here.”
“The gameplay and controls are very easy to pick up and play, making this an ideal party game.”
“Nice gameplay and graphics.”
“In general, the main campaign of the game is quite easy, as my partner and I 'one-shot' the majority of the levels, and there is not much diversity in mechanics or in the layout of the apartments.”
“There's no point to co-op gameplay because there are no actions that require two players, and no timing-specific actions that actually necessitate communication.”
“It was fun for an hour or two, but there are too few new mechanics and challenges as you progress to keep this interesting.”
- music13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its soothing and uplifting qualities, enhancing the overall chill atmosphere. While the soundtrack changes every few levels, it effectively complements the game's themes, contributing to a positive and engaging experience. Players appreciate the catchy tunes that are enjoyable without being overwhelming, making it a notable aspect of the gameplay.
“The soundtrack and overall chill atmosphere are very inviting, and it is so easy to like this game!”
“The music has a great air to it, soothing but also slightly energetic.”
“The music is chipper and uplifting, without being too obnoxious or annoying (so far).”
“Not much to say about the music or anything as the songs only change every few levels.”
“Every few floors is a new 'theme' and that's when the music changes.”
“And it changes with the levels (spooky mansion = spooky music).”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its humor, primarily through physical comedy that resonates well in multiplayer settings. Players find it particularly enjoyable and funny when played cooperatively, often leading to hilarious moments and light-hearted fun. Overall, it offers a delightful experience filled with joy and laughter, making it a great choice for group play.
“The game is quite funny, and despite the fact that it is mostly physical comedy, it doesn’t fall flat.”
“There is not much to say about this game other than, this is a great game filled with light-hearted humor and joy.”
“Played it for a couple of hours with my roommate for a stream--ended up being some of the most intense and most hilarious few hours of my life.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a cute and cartoonish art style that is both sleek and clean, ensuring longevity in its appeal. Players appreciate the beautifully simplistic design, which enhances the fun atmosphere of the game, although some note that the lack of smooth controls and dashing affects the overall experience.
“The art style is beautifully simplistic, while exuding a fun and cartoonish atmosphere.”
“The control doesn't feel as smooth and there is no dashing (which I understand for the aesthetic, but it still makes the game feel less fluid).”
“The graphics are cute and cartoony.”
“As far as environments go, the art style and UI are both sleek and clean enough to withstand the test of time for years to come.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as simple and minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a focal point. Players can complete the main story mode in about four hours, with additional content from a gardening DLC that increases in difficulty. While the narrative is not deep, it provides a fun and entertaining experience, especially when played with friends.
“This game was relatively easy and entertaining. I finished the normal story mode with my siblings in 4 hours; the other 7 were from the gardening DLC, which got harder by the 2nd episode.”
“With me based in the Pacific Northwest, my friends (in Arizona, Denmark, and the country of Georgia) and I chewed through those missions like it was going out of style.”
“The story is quite simple.”
“There's not much story to tell with this game, and that's okay.”
“I can walk to the door, but nothing happens when I try to start a mission.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a relaxing soundtrack and a charmingly simplistic art style, creating an inviting and enjoyable experience that resonates well with players.
“The soundtrack and overall chill atmosphere are very inviting, making it easy to enjoy this game!”
“The art style is beautifully simplistic, exuding a fun and cartoonish atmosphere.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is mixed; while it runs smoothly on lower-end laptops, it causes overheating issues, leading some players to limit their playtime. Overall, it offers a fun experience despite these performance concerns.
“It's still a fun and hectic game, and it runs smoothly on my not-so-good laptop, which most new games don't.”
“The optimization is impressive; I can enjoy the game without any lag, even on lower-end hardware.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it allows for a seamless experience regardless of my system's specs.”
“It's not optimized well because it makes my laptop run really hot, so I only play for short periods.”
“The game suffers from severe performance issues, causing frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
“I experience long loading times and crashes, which makes the game frustrating to play.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users indicate that the game currently has limited replayability, suggesting that once completed, there is little incentive to play through it again.
“Although at this point, it has little replay value.”
“The game lacks the depth needed to encourage multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed it, there's not much incentive to go back.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable, but users report control glitches that hinder stability and make gameplay more challenging than necessary. Many believe that addressing these issues could significantly improve the overall experience.
“This game is good and fun, but some control glitches make it harder than necessary.”
“It's a good 7/10; if it fixes the control glitches, it will be an 8/10.”
Critic Reviews
Tools Up! PS4 Review
A fun and lighthearted couch co-op multiplayer game with a simple, but appealing home renovation gameplay formula fine-tuned for party chaos!
76%Tools Up! PS4 Review
A charmingly clever multiplayer title, Tools Up! takes the madness of Overcooked! and distills it into a far less chaotic, though ultimately more thoughtful set of scenarios that players of all ages will surely enjoy.
75%Tools Up! Review
I’ll be honest, I’ve never watched a home renovation show in its entirety.
50%