Prefer watching over reading? The video above is an embedded VOD from my CheckpointVibes YouTube channel, featuring gameplay from one of my livestreams. It’s included as a companion to this review so you can see the game in action while reading—or simply enjoy the gameplay on its own.
| Developer | Adventure Works L.L.C. |
| Publisher | Adventure Works L.L.C. |
| Release Date | Jul 22, 2026 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Price | 19.99 |
| Platforms | PC macOS SteamOS Linux |
| Where to Buy (Wishlist) | Steam |
I’d like to start by thanking the developers and publishers for providing us here at TheDailyGamePad.net with a free copy of Lifted to check out. It is always appreciated, and after spending time with both the demo and the full release, I was excited to dive back in.
Before we get started: the gameplay video attached to this article is from my time with the demo, not the full release. I wanted to include it for anyone who would rather watch the game in action than read through the article, but my impressions below are based on the full version of the game.
From the moment I started playing Lifted, one comparison kept popping into my head: what if Rayman and Back to the Future had a baby?
That probably sounds like an odd combination, but once you start playing, it makes sense. The disconnected-limb art style immediately reminded me of Rayman, while the time-travel adventure, the professor/student dynamic, and the overall feel of the story gave me major Back to the Future vibes. Those inspirations never felt like copycats either—they felt more like a love letter to both.
The game immediately pulled me in with its colorful presentation and fun cast of characters, and before long I was completely invested in seeing where this time-travel adventure was headed.
One feature I really appreciated was the game’s difficulty options.
You can choose between Classic and Easy mode right from the start, and unlike many games, you’re free to switch between them whenever you want through the options menu. Classic gives you the intended challenge, while Easy offers wider platforms, puzzle hints, and more forgiving timing for players who simply want to enjoy the adventure.
For my playthrough, I started on Classic because I wanted to experience the game the way the developers originally designed it. Later, I switched over to Easy just to see how different it felt.
One thing I absolutely loved? The game doesn’t punish you for using Easy Mode. You can still earn achievements, which is something I wish more developers would do. Sometimes you just want to relax and enjoy a game without feeling like you’re missing out because you lowered the difficulty.
If you’ve played classic platformers, you’ll feel right at home.
Lifted features plenty of jumping, climbing, swinging with a grappling hook, environmental puzzles, and collectible pieces hidden throughout each level. Some of the platforming challenged me enough that I had to retry sections a few times, but it never crossed the line into feeling unfair.
I also appreciated that the game lets you recover quickly after mistakes instead of making you replay huge portions of a level like many older platformers used to do.
One thing that really stood out to me was the voice acting.
The performances give the characters plenty of personality, and the conversations between Ari and the professor were easily some of my favorite moments. Their banter kept making me laugh, and there were several jokes and little quips that landed surprisingly well.
The story itself also has a lot more depth than I expected going in. Rather than simply jumping from one platforming section to the next, Lifted spends time building its characters and world, making me genuinely curious about what happens next.
The environments were another highlight.
Starting in snowy landscapes before traveling back to ancient Egypt through the “Anytime Elevator” immediately made the adventure feel unique. Every new area felt like it had its own identity, and the time-travel premise opens the door for plenty of creative locations throughout the game.
The art direction deserves praise as well. While the disconnected character design won’t be everyone’s favorite style, I personally loved it. It gives Lifted its own visual identity instead of looking like every other indie platformer.
After spending time with Lifted, I walked away genuinely impressed.
The platforming feels solid, the controls are responsive, the story kept me interested, and the voice acting adds a ton of charm to every interaction. Add in flexible difficulty options that respect every type of player, and you’ve got a game that’s easy to recommend for fans of story-driven platformers.
At $19.99, I think Lifted offers a fair amount of value based on what I’ve experienced so far.
I’m definitely looking forward to continuing my adventure and seeing where Ari’s time-travel journey goes next.
Once again, thank you to the developers and publishers for providing us here at TheDailyGamePad.net with a review copy of Lifted. And if you’d like to see the game in action before picking it up yourself, be sure to check out the attached gameplay video from my stream. I’m also planning to continue playing the full game live, so if you want to experience the rest of the adventure with me, stop by one of my streams!
