AdventureFit check
Is Upstream worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Platformer players who want a demanding physics-based challenge
- Completionists who seek collectibles and hidden areas
- Speedrunners interested in alternative routes and difficult traversal
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players who want forgiving platforming may hit a wall at the dangerous obstacle sections and physics-based movement.
- Players seeking varied controls or combat systems may bounce off the two-button swimming and jumping structure.
- Players looking for a short interactive animation may find the traversal and completion goals too involved.
Our take on Upstream
The bounce point arrives when two-button controls meet physics-based movement: the small input set does not remove the challenge, especially around dangerous obstacles, reversals, and alternative routes.
What is Upstream?
Upstream is a physics-based platformer about a salmon traveling toward the Mountain Spring to spawn.
Movement uses only left and right inputs for swimming and jumping through environments based on Pacific Northwest ecosystems. The route contains numerous obstacles, dangerous sections, alternative paths, secret areas, salmonberries, and salmon sense collectibles. The game presents an educational and emotional story about the salmon life cycle, with encouragement when progress reverses. Accessibility options include key rebinding, hold-to-swim, and Quicksave Mode. The challenge is aimed at experienced platformer players and speedrunners, while allowing completion at an individual pace.
How Upstream plays
- 01Two-button movement
- Left and right inputs control the salmon's swimming and jumping.
- 02Ecosystem stages
- The journey passes through environments modeled on Pacific Northwest ecosystems.
- 03Secret collectibles
- Completion goals include salmonberries, salmon sense, and hidden areas.
- 04Accessibility settings
- Options include remapping controls, holding a button to swim, and Quicksave Mode.
- 05Alternative routes
- Some sections provide different paths through the salmon's journey.
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Upstream: platforms & release
Is Upstream worth it?
It is worth it if: platformer players who want a demanding physics-based challenge. Skip it if: players who want forgiving platforming may hit a wall at the dangerous obstacle sections and physics-based movement.
Where can I download Upstream?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens Upstream's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is Upstream on?
Windows only.
