Introduction

Even as an adult, I love cartoons and games that bring me back to simpler times. Sitting on the couch, eating cereal (specifically Cap’n Crunch), and just letting whatever cartoon was on play in the background. I miss those days. But we get older, and games have gradually moved away from that era in favor of more complex, demanding experiences. LIFTED by developer Adventure Works L.L.C. seems to have been made with the express desire to bring gamers back to those long-lost days. Is that intention met with a resounding success, or will I just want to dust off my PS1 and play a classic platformer I already know is good? We find out in our LIFTED review for PC! Huge thank you to Adventure Works for the review copy!

Gameplay

LIFTED puts players in the shoes of Ari, a young student who ends up with considerably more extra credit than he bargained for, courtesy of Professor Raventhorpe and his chinchilla, Julius. The Professor has built a special device that is, drum roll, a time machine — and the three of them get flung back through history in service of the Professor’s grand, somewhat personal mission. Buckle up, Ari. You are about to get the history lesson of a lifetime.

If you’re new to platformers, LIFTED might catch you off guard. Rather than a 3D open world, it follows the structure of classic 2D platformers in the spirit of older Rayman titles. Ari travels along a semi-linear left-to-right path (with some sequences breaking into 3D) and the gameplay revolves around jumping, climbing specific walls, swinging or pulling objects with a grappling hook, and double jumping his way through the Professor’s bizarre time-hopping adventure. It might sound old-school, but it works beautifully here thanks to clever puzzles and well-designed platforming sequences. Several segments mix things up further (riding a mine cart, being chased on a wagon) and are cleverly placed to break any risk of monotony. LIFTED captures that golden age platforming feeling and brings it cleanly into the current gaming era.

That said, I’m a reviewer, and being a critic when the moment calls for it comes with the territory. LIFTED isn’t without minor issues. The platforming can feel a bit floaty at times, especially when you need to land on small ledges or boards that are skinnier than a supermodel, and the gameplay is very straightforward overall. Those who grew up in the golden age of gaming will find that LIFTED hits exactly the right nostalgic notes, but players who need a bit more mechanical substance may find it too easy.

Graphics

I mentioned Rayman earlier, and that comparison holds up visually too. Colorful cartoon environments, silly limbless character designs, and a constant stream of visual oddities make it clear that Adventure Works drew real inspiration from that franchise. What I love most is that you’re never stuck in one visual space for long. One moment you’re navigating a snow-filled tundra, the next you’re spelunking through an Egyptian-style ruin. LIFTED keeps the visual variety coming, and I loved every design choice and thematic setting within it.

Sound

The background music and general soundscape in LIFTED is solid but forgettable. Nothing bad, nothing that made me want to track down the OST afterward. Thankfully, the same cannot be said for the voice acting and dialogue. The banter between the cast is genuinely perfect. The moment Ari and the Professor began arguing about who would take the more dangerous path (it was Ari, obviously) was the moment I knew LIFTED would not have worked nearly as well with weaker voice work. Even Julius’ random chinchilla noises land consistently for laughs. But the magic extends beyond the main trio. Every villain, historical figure, and oddball the group encounters across their time-hopping adventure brings something dynamic and funny to the table. I replayed cutscenes more than once after dying or reloading, and not once did I skip them. The cast and their interactions with one another make every scene worth watching again.

Story

I love the story in LIFTED so much that I genuinely hope this game becomes a franchise. Ari, the Professor, and Julius are all compelling in their own ways. Ari is the typical sarcastic, easily irritated teenager who deep down just wants to prove his worth and get everyone home safely. The Professor is brilliant and inventive but can be startlingly clueless in certain situations, his genius occasionally tipping into full mad scientist territory. And Julius is a chinchilla who I am convinced is smarter than both of them combined, if only because of how consistently he avoids danger while they charge straight into it. From the very beginning, LIFTED‘s adventure grabs you and makes you feel like you’re playing through a cartoon movie rather than just a polished indie game.

Overall Impression

When someone asks me what classic platformer they should play, my usual answer has been to dig out an old console and find something from the past. LIFTED has given me a new answer: just play LIFTED. It checks every nostalgic box I needed while feeling completely at home on modern hardware. It isn’t perfect and has its minor rough edges, but it is a genuinely wonderful way to introduce new players to the older style of platformer while giving veterans exactly the fix they’ve been missing.

Conclusion

LIFTED blends two things beautifully: a movie-like adventure experience and classic platforming gameplay. I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised by my time with it, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves from the gaming public. LIFTED releases July 22, 2026, and it is well worth marking on your calendar. Thank you to Adventure Works for reminding me that I still deeply love the platforming genre and everything that made those early gaming years so special.