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!
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Get on PS Store"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.
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Reviews
- Cozy and relaxing co-op gameplay that encourages teamwork and communication.
- Fun and engaging with a charming art style, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
- Offers a variety of levels and tasks, providing a lighthearted experience similar to Overcooked.
- Game is relatively short and lacks challenge, making it easy to complete quickly.
- Controls can be frustrating and unresponsive, leading to confusion during gameplay.
- No native online multiplayer option, relying instead on Remote Play, which can be problematic.
- gameplay47 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and ease of use, making it an enjoyable experience for casual players, especially in couch co-op mode. However, many reviewers noted a lack of challenge and diversity in mechanics, leading to a gameplay loop that can feel repetitive and short, with around 5-10 hours of content. While the game is fun for a brief period, it could benefit from more varied tasks and online co-op options to enhance the cooperative experience.
“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.”
“A fun and lighthearted couch co-op multiplayer game with a simple, but appealing home renovation gameplay formula fine-tuned for party chaos!”
“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.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and uplifting qualities, enhancing the overall chill atmosphere. While the soundtrack changes every few levels to match different themes, it remains catchy and engaging without becoming overwhelming. Players appreciate the combination of adorable character designs and a well-composed soundtrack that contributes positively to the gameplay experience.
“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.”
“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).”
- humor21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its humor, primarily through physical comedy and light-hearted interactions, making it particularly enjoyable in multiplayer settings. Players highlight its fun co-op experience, with many noting that it leads to hilarious moments, especially when played with friends or partners. Overall, the game is described as adorable and filled with joy, making it accessible and entertaining for a variety of players.
“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.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a cute and cartoonish art style that is both simplistic and visually appealing, contributing to a fun atmosphere suitable for multiplayer gameplay. The environments and user interface are noted for their sleekness and timeless quality, although some players feel that the lack of smooth controls detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's visuals are well-received, enhancing the enjoyment of playing with friends.
“The art style is beautifully simplistic, while exuding a fun and cartoonish atmosphere.”
“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.”
“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 not as smooth).”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as simple and minimal, focusing primarily on completing missions to unlock character skins rather than a deep narrative. Players found the gameplay entertaining and challenging, particularly with time constraints during missions, but noted that the lack of a substantial story was not a significant drawback. Overall, the experience is more about cooperative gameplay than storytelling.
“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.”
“[b]Storytelling[/b]”
“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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a chill and inviting ambiance, enhanced by a beautifully simplistic art style and a fun, cartoonish aesthetic. The soundtrack complements this vibe, making it easy for players to connect with and enjoy the overall experience.
“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.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; 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.”
“It's not optimized well because it makes my laptop run really hot, so I only play for short time periods.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game currently has limited replayability, with users noting that it does not offer enough incentives or variations to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Although at this point it has little replay value.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable, but users report control glitches that hinder gameplay, suggesting that stability issues detract from the overall experience. Many believe that resolving these glitches could significantly improve the game's rating.
“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%
