Recently I had a chance to play a puzzle platformer from former Disney Imagineer Jeffrey Ashbrook and his dev company Adventure Works. It’s a game about a boy who just wanted some extra credit but instead gets caught up with his quirky professor who sorta ropes him into time travel.
I’ll be straight with you, initially I thought it was a VR game and I’m absolutely not equipped for that sort of gaming. Upon a closer look I realised that mistakes were made and I decided to give it a try.
Spoiler alert: I’ve beaten the game in one sitting and now I’m downloading it on my Steam Deck in order to 100%.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lifted.
The Story
The story revolves around a highschool boy Ari who just wanted some extra credit but his physics teacher Professor Raventhorpe had other plans. He thinks that the only way to impress his crush is to give her a long lost tiara of Queen Nefertari. And the only way to find it, is to go back in time. Seems a little excessive but who am I to judge?
After getting involved with the Professor and his rather questionable time-traveling elevator, Ari is sent bouncing through different periods of history in search of this legendary artifact. What follows is a mix of exploration, puzzles, treasure hunting, pirates, and plenty of dangerous situations that make you wonder why Ari hasn’t just gone home yet.
The story takes inspiration from over the top adventure movies from the ’80s. Which means it’s not trying to be anything serious or too deep and truth to be told, it’s refreshing and I found it so enjoyable to play.
The Gameplay
The gameplay is where Lifted started to shine and win me over. The platforming part feels good and it doesn’t take long to get used to. Also, the great thing is that the game keeps introducing different things as you progress deeper. So it never feels like you’re stuck in some loophole doing the same thing over and over. Some parts of the playthrough are more focused on exploration while others put more emphasis on puzzles.
Speaking of puzzles, I feel like they’re a nice addition to the game. They’re not particularly complicated or hard but still enjoyable to do.
There’s also a nice variety in the locations you visit, which helps keep the gameplay from feeling repetitive. You’re constantly moving into new areas, figuring out what the game wants you to do, and seeing what kind of challenge is waiting for you next.
Overall, Lifted keeps things simple, but it does a really good job of making those simple mechanics enjoyable. I never felt like the game was dragging things out just for the sake of adding more hours.
Graphics and Audio
Lifted goes for a more cartoonish approach that fits this lighthearted adventure perfectly. Each environment has its own look and feel, which helps keep it visually interesting. It’s not a type of game that’s made to impress you with realistic graphics but honestly, I don’t think it needs anything more. It’s clear, colorful and most importantly, easy to look at.
Voice actors did their part with making this a fun and enjoyable experience. The soundtrack has that classic adventure feel and does a good job of making exploration feel more exciting. Sound effects are also solid, especially during the platforming and action sections.
Overall, the visuals and audio work well together and fit the game’s personality. At the end of the day, that’s all you need.
Conclusion
Lifted isn’t the game that I thought it was and certainly I enjoyed it far more than I expected. Truth to be told, it brought me a certain joy/serenity that got me reminiscing about my childhood where I spent my summer days playing games with my little brother. It also reminded me how much simpler yet still enjoyable gaming used to feel. You know, before there were 1000 guides on how to find a [shiny ore] to craft [shiny part] in order to make [shiny equipment]. And I’m thankful that games like this one still exist.
For anyone who misses the vibe of classic adventure flicks or just wants a platformer with more depth than your average “point A to point B” run, Lifted is worth a look. Honestly, I had a blast playing it, and it’s one of those experiences I’d happily suggest to anyone in the mood for a genuine adventure.
