Going Up review – “An elevated form of gaming”

Going Up review - "An elevated form of gaming"

  • A puzzling game about elevator management
  • Use your quick tapping and thinking to get people around efficiently
  • Depend on the RNG to give you the people and points you need

As someone who’s spent countless hours of my life waiting for elevators, I can confidently say that Going Up has brought a whole new perspective to this seemingly mundane aspect of daily life. It’s like Dylan Kwok took a peek behind the curtain and revealed the hidden symphony of chaos that governs these metal boxes suspended over nothingness.


Pondering too much about elevators may lead you to understand that they are essentially large metal containers hanging perilously over an empty abyss. Nevertheless, despite this insight, many of us rely on elevators frequently during our daily lives, be it navigating different floors at work or in residential buildings.

Yet, there lies an unseen turmoil enveloping them which Dylan Kwok has exposed through his creation, Going Up. It’s a 3D fixed-perspective puzzle game that gives you command over all the elevators in a building. Consequently, people won’t reach their required floors without your assistance, and the game will test whether it plays fair.

What is Going Up?

Going Up review - "An elevated form of gaming"

Have you ever found yourself pondering about the roles of the individuals whose names are engraved on elevator plaques? This question doesn’t provide the answers, yet it could be placing you in their shoes. You’re like an Otis, but with a touch of omniscience: you can manage all the elevators within a specific region.

These elevators appear to depend entirely on your commands, so everyone’s movement is essentially controlled by you. Naturally, people may grow restless when waiting, which is why it’s important to be swift in your actions. After all, only you are privy to what floors are being accessed and which directions the elevator is moving.

Elevated by Going Up

Going Up review - "An elevated form of gaming"

While it may seem limited given the simplicity of an elevator, it’s remarkable how Going Up transforms these mundane machines into engaging playthings. Unlike Willy Wonka’s Factory, there’s a straightforward concept: guide the elevators and aid various individuals in reaching their desired destinations.

Instead of worrying about just the timing of elevator doors, you might be astonished by how strongly they pull you in. Your actions are contingent on the speed at which elevators operate, so each time you press a button, it’s like taking a chance that your timing will align with when someone steps out.

The elevator restrictions aren’t the only aspect of a challenge when it comes to trying to complete the different floors – there’s also the people. Much like customers in real life, these elevator riders are impatient, demand nothing less than perfection, and won’t show any gratitude when it’s given (unless you want to count the points that appear above their heads).
Again, this wouldn’t be a problem, but you’re dependent on the RNG to give you enough people to get points. If Jerry appears before enough people arrive in the right places to get the speed bonus, then you pretty much have to start over. Some levels begin with people spawning in places that make it impossible to get the speed bonus, which is another reason to try again and hope that the elevator gods are kinder the next time around.

The only way is Going Up

Going Up review - "An elevated form of gaming"

Navigating a Diverse Skyscraper” and described it as a game where players control elevators in a variety of skyscrapers to quickly get people to their correct floors. The game is fast-paced, easy to grasp, sturdy in its mechanics, and presents a level of challenge that feels just manageable enough to keep you engaged.

From a passionate fan’s perspective, there’s room for improvement in striking an ideal balance between Jerry’s commanding presence and the randomness of character appearances. Despite my fear of elevators, I found myself captivated by the thrill of maneuvering digital characters up and down the multi-purpose skyscraper – a towering marvel that seamlessly functioned as a resort, club, amusement park, and space facility.

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2024-09-24 15:48