Living in an age where titles try to leap frog each other by adding more and more systems, sometimes it's nice to take a step back and play something that focuses on just handling one mechanic really well. It appears that developer Random Layers would agree. With Upwards, Lonely Robot, they have distilled platforming down to its essence, creating a budget title that is alternatively relaxing and infuriating.

The game itself casts the player as a little robot in a sphere. For a reason that is explained as the gamer goes on, the robot must use scaffolding to the climb numerous towers and collect fruit to remain powered. While some of the audio logs dispersed at the end of the levels are intentionally humorous with their timing, the overall tone is intended to give off a melancholy vibe. The thing is, it tends to get so horribly maudlin that it seems like it's meant to be a goof itself.

The platforming itself is pure and unadulterated. The controls are limited. Move and jump is all that is required. Should a player be on track to overshoot a platform, pressing down halts the momentum and drops the 'bot like a rock. It works incredibly well that pulling off trick jumps quickly becomes second nature. As each tower is completely round, and the player seemingly magnetized to the side of it, it's possible to circumnavigate an entire tower with one jump.

To be entirely truthful, the concept behind this title was so basic that I didn't think it would hold my attention. Playing a large chunk of the beta showed just how wrong I was. This race to the top, picking up fruit to just squeak out that extra needed time, makes this experience great fun. I only discontinued play as I didn't want to spoil myself for the final game when it releases this spring. Expect a full review of this potential sleeper when the code is finalized.