Zup! 4

About

Zup 4 is a physics-based puzzle game where players help a cube-like character reach new heights by interacting with various mechanisms and objects. With increasing complexity and dozens of levels, each stage presents a unique challenge that requires creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Featuring calm and atmospheric visuals, Zup 4 offers a relaxing yet engaging experience for players of all ages.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,500 reviews

gameplay37 positive mentions

graphics10 negative mentions

Fun and easy to complete, taking around 30-40 minutes for 100% achievements.
Offers a large number of achievements (555) that can be used for profile customization.
Engaging and simple physics-based puzzles that are relaxing to play.

Feels repetitive and lacks significant new content compared to previous installments.
Some levels can be overly simplistic, leading to a lack of challenge.
The game is very short, which may not justify the price for some players.

gameplay
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay of the Zup series is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism, often described as relaxing yet lacking in challenge, with many levels offering straightforward solutions. While some players appreciate the clever level design and new mechanics introduced in later entries, others criticize the gameplay as repetitive and primarily designed for achievement hunters rather than providing a deep or engaging experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable for short sessions but may not satisfy those seeking more complexity or challenge.
- “The zup series offers good puzzle games with a decent scope of difficulty, a generous amount of achievements, and fair gameplay for its price.”
- “Aside from the new melting block mechanic, zup 4 delivers more of what we've come to expect from the series: relaxing minimalist physics puzzles that occasionally make you feel mildly clever.”
- “But I find the gameplay is minimalist, fun, and challenging.”
- “The gameplay is really simple and there is no real challenge in any of the levels.”
- “The puzzles are not difficult, they rarely introduce new mechanics; the only reason to buy this game is for the spam achievements.”
- “By itself, the game is pretty boring; the levels are easy, and the gameplay isn't fun.”
music
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
9%
The music in the game is generally described as calming and pleasant, often featuring relaxing piano tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some users noted the lack of proper audio controls, making it difficult to mute the background music, and criticized the sound design, particularly the unpleasant sounds of explosions. Overall, while the music is appreciated for its soothing qualities, the sound effects can detract from the enjoyment.
- “The music was calming and it was a ton of fun.”
- “Zup is a calming puzzle game with an amazing soundtrack.”
- “The puzzles are well designed and especially the calm piano soundtrack I liked a lot.”
- “Bewilderingly, the game doesn't include proper audio controls, so you can't turn off the annoying background music; you'll need to alt+tab out and stop the music using the Windows sound mixer.”
- “The only real downside to this is the sound design – there is no music in the game itself, and the sound of the exploding red blocks will probably drive you mad within the first ten minutes (yes, it is that bad).”
- “Music: 1/10”
graphics
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
56%
24%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the polished visuals and minimalistic design, while others criticize the lack of resolution options and overall graphical quality, deeming it basic or even terrible. Many players note that the graphics do not significantly impact the gameplay experience, as the focus is more on puzzles and level design rather than visual complexity. Overall, the graphics are seen as adequate but not impressive, with ratings ranging from 2/10 to 8/10 depending on individual expectations.
- “With polished visuals and engaging puzzles, it's a fitting conclusion to the series that leaves players wanting more.”
- “[i] Visual aesthetics - stunning graphics.”
- “✅ Simple yet charming visuals with a minimalist design approach.”
- “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
- “Considering this is being evaluated as a PC game, having the graphics phoned in like this isn't going to result in a high quality, visually impressive game that PC gamers are used to seeing.”
- “[td][b]2/10[/b] in graphics [td] terrible graphics, like someone drew this on Google Draw.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The reviews present a divided perspective on the game's story, with some praising a compelling storyline and engaging characters, while others criticize the lack of any narrative or missions, deeming it boring and unworthy of investment. Overall, the absence of a coherent story seems to be a significant drawback for many players.
- “I played it for the story and incredible characters.”
- “[i] Compelling storyline - engaging narrative.”
- “[i] Compelling storyline - engaging narrative.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “There is no tutorial, no mission, nothing at all and it's just boring after the 5th level. I guarantee it's incredibly boring; just don't waste your money and your time. Go play something else, but not this.”
- “After all, the 'story' or mechanics of it weren't my reasons to buy Zup!”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
44%
38%
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some games being described as having high replay value due to challenging puzzles and co-op gameplay, while others are criticized for being repetitive and offering little to no replay value. Overall, the potential for replayability varies significantly across different titles, with some being deemed infinitely replayable and others lacking longevity.
- “🔲 Infinitely replayable (or almost)”
- “🔄 Replayability & community”
- “✅ High replay value due to challenging puzzles and co-op gameplay.”
- “Not very replayable.”
- “No replay value.”
- “Puzzles are as easy and repetitive as its predecessors and offer no replay value.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on microtransactions and in-game purchases, which many users perceive as a cash grab aimed at achievement hunters. Critics express disappointment, feeling that the series has devolved into a profit-driven model reminiscent of other AAA titles, undermining its original value. Overall, the frequent releases and focus on monetization have led to a negative reception regarding the game's financial practices.
- “Having played all of these, they are really nothing but a cash grab to satisfy achievement hunters and people who want messages on their Steam profiles.”
- “This series isn't what it once was and I don't want to see it turn into a cash grab like some AAA titles have become.”
- “Given the frequency of the releases of the games, it feels like a massive cash grab from the developer.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is primarily focused on achievement farming, which many players find tedious and repetitive, likening it to other titles in the Zup series. While it offers opportunities for players seeking to boost their achievement count, the overall experience is often described as monotonous and lacking in engagement.
- “If you want more achievements but a game that feels extremely tedious, buy Zup!”
- “Many people call these games out, citing that they're card farming games.”
- “Meh, just achievement farming, like all the other Zup games.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players finding it both funny and relaxing, despite some challenging levels. The comedic elements, particularly in the context of a physics-based game involving explosives, contribute to its appeal, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a lighthearted experience. Overall, the game strikes a balance between humor and gameplay difficulty, enhancing its entertainment value.
- “A nice and funny physics game with explosives, just as the game description says.”
- “After seeing reviews of my friends, I wanted to try it out and I can say that this game is funny and also very cheap.”
- “Quite funny, relaxing, and hard at the same time (some levels).”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with performance and gameplay often falling below acceptable standards. While the controls are basic and the game runs smoothly, the overall experience is hindered by significant performance issues.
- “Controls are very basic and it runs smoothly.”
- “Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
- “Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and captivating environment, enhanced by a vibrant color palette and calming music that contribute to a deep, engaging experience.
- “Immersive atmosphere - captivating environment.”
- “The music in the atmosphere brings a deep and calming approach.”
- “The vibrant color palette enhances the playful atmosphere.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews provide no information or insights regarding character development, indicating a lack of focus or detail on this aspect in the game.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report occasional glitches during level transitions, indicating that while the game generally runs smoothly, there are some stability issues that can disrupt the experience.
- “There are occasional glitches during level transitions.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”