Upstream
Gllama Games · 2025 · Precision Platformer, Physics, Underwater, Nonlinear, Dynamic Narration
PC
Positive100% · 17
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About Upstream
Theirs is a journey defined by unmatched instinct, endless resilience, and the ambition of a creature that, for the sake of all generations yet to come, cannot afford to fail.Play as a salmon journeying home in this challenging physics based platformer using only two buttons! Remember that on a voyage through innumerable obstacles and constant danger, it is your reaction to adversity that determines your success.
- Swim and jump your way to the Mountain Spring as a spawning salmon using only a left and right button.
- Traverse environments based on different ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest.
- Experience an educational and emotional story about the life cycle of a salmon with a bit of encouragement along the way if your progress isn’t always forward (or up).
- Satisfy your completionist side by collecting salmonberries and salmon sense, and by finding all the secret areas.
- Enjoy the game at your own pace with accessibility settings like: Key Rebinding, Hold-to-Swim, and Quicksave Mode!
- A cute salmon.
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
✦ AI summary
Upstream is a challenging salmon-climbing platformer with minimalist controls that demands mastery of mid-air rotation and precise landings, offering a uniquely rewarding experience for players who enjoy difficult, skill-based games. Players consistently praise the beautiful art style, excellent narrator, atmospheric soundtrack, and the satisfying progression curve where failures feel fair and motivate repeated attempts, though the steep difficulty curve and punishing falls will frustrate those seeking a relaxed experience. A quicksave mode is available for players who want to enjoy the game a
I'm 8 Hours in and have made it only 50% up the stream... It's glorious! The Salmon takes some skill to control and the falls are very punishing. There is mid-air rotational control that's important to master, it allows you to glide and aim your landings, but it also allows you to save some falls. There are many optional items and secret passages to find, some of them are actually shortcuts and I recommend looking for them if you're going up with no checkpoints. There is a quick-save/load-mode which makes the climb to the top trivial. It's a solid game, but it's not for everyone. It's a bit of a niche game, but if you like the idea of climbing a mountain as a salmon, then this is the game for you.5 found this helpful
[h1]That which is falling should also be pushed. — [i]Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra[/i][/h1] If your heart still knows how to swim — play this game. It’s not just upstream. It’s upstream into yourself. No words - just the primal urge to swim against fate. I came as a player. I left as a salmon. 10 out of 10, on the tips of my fins. Special thanks for the amazing narrator and unforgettable soundtrack. They gave me the strength and desire to get up after another fall.3 found this helpful
She is so stalwart and brave fr. I WILL set a time on this leaderboard if its the last thing I do.3 found this helpful
Upstream is technical, challenging platformer where you play as a salmon. You jump and swim using just two inputs, left and right, to wiggle and gain momentum in just the right way to progress. As I write this review, I have not yet beaten the game, but I've seen enough to confidently recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a challenge. Fair warning to anyone out there that gets easily frustrated, you can and will absolutely lose progress when you make mistakes, but as long as you keep trying, you will improve, and you will overcome it. That being said, if that kind of challenge doesn't sound like your thing, there is a quicksave mode which I haven't tried, but sounds like a great option for those who want to enjoy the game in their own way.3 found this helpful
Love it! Very unique gameplay that is super challenging but also so fun that even when you fail you can't help but want to try again. The art style is beautiful and everything is very well done. Also really enjoy the voice over, the calm salmon facts are amazing.2 found this helpful
literally the BEST game i have ever played! fish are awesome.
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