Up! really soars, and, despite some turbulence, is a great flight.
Presentation: 5
The game pays little homage to the movie's plotline. This can be attributed to the fact that the team obviously didn't want to spoil the movie for fans, but the result was a piecemealed storyline that will only make sense if you've seen the movie. What I could decipher was that and old man (Carl) and a young boy scout (Russell) are in the jungle when they find a female bird named Kevin, who gets stolen by a bad guy with no name. There's also a dog that has a talking collar and some other bad guy dogs that also talk and fly planes and…Yeah, if you want a clearer explanation, see the movie then play the game.
Graphics: 8
The graphics are blocky and cartoon-y, which perfectly fit this game. The scenery is colorful, although you'll feel deja vu constantly switching between jungle to mountain, and then back to a seemingly similar looking jungle. This is abated by the variety in level design, which is surprisingly well mapped out for a child's game.
Sound: 7
I give many thanks to Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, and Bob Peterson for lending their voices to the games cast (Carl, Russel, and Dug the Dog respectively). It's nice to see the original actors pitching in for the movie, although the dialogue is minimal in quantity, so you'll be hearing the same banter throughout the whole game.
Gameplay: 8
Up! is a platforming game, and a pretty solid one at that. Players can switch control between Russell and Carl by a simple button press (co-op is also available), and this is important because each character has special attributes required to solve certain puzzles. Carl is the stronger of the group, which means he's better at moving rocks and using his cane to prop up obstacles, whereas Russell is more nimble, allowing him to jump large gaps and shimmy across thin ledges. The only way to get through this game is by using teamwork, meaning you will control Carl to climb a gap, then turn around and offer his cane to Russell who you will control you will command to grab the cane and pull himself up. The shining examples are the two boss fights, in which you are required to use teamwork to defeat your enemies, with one person acting as bait while the other attacks the unsuspecting enemy.
In addition to platforming, there's also a little discovery, and, of course, a little fighting involved. The combat technique is very well though out. Rather than having a button mashing, combo based game, this game uses well time one button press attacks. Every enemy in Up! has a distinct motion and sound it makes before it attacks, and you must time your button press just right to guard from the attack. Do this, and you will knock your enemy unconscious, which enables you to collect them if you are Russell (remember, he's a boy scout) or squash them into oblivion as Carl (remember, he's…well…he's old). When you're not fighting or jumping from cliff to cliff, you might do some exploring as well as collecting the various types of flora and fauns littered around each level. There are many different varieties of bugs and butterflies to be collected, as well as artifacts and mementos from Carl's house. In addition, there are sections where you can play as Dug the Dog, the "talking" canine who elects to help Carl and Russel, and dig holes in the ground, searching for bones. These collectables add replay value, and ensure you will go through each level with your eyes peeled.
Reviewers Tilt: 7
Up! is surprisingly a very good game. The controls are solid, the action is fluid, and while the story (or lack thereof) could use work, there's not doubt you'll be drawn into Up!'s soaring adventure.