Jumping around on platforms above the clouds would be great at times. What a way to relax feeling the rush of air as you jump ever higher. Tasting clouds to a soft melody overlooking the busy cities below. You are above, yes above it all. In Above you get to jump all the way out into space whizzing past satellites. No worries, no obligations just keep jumping.
I previewed Above some time ago, and am pleased to finally see the finished product. It is a one-button jump game where timing is the most important thing. Keeping your head cool when the platforms become scarce is also important to reach higher scores. 
Above is all about the scored, and this is an aspect where it both excels and lacks. As you jump around any of the three available levels you can jump past your 10 last high scores. This is an immediate motivational aspect. It lacks decent online functionality as it only comes with Twitter and Facebook integration. To be a contender for high scores a game needs Openfeint, Agon, Crystal or Plus+.
The graphics in Above are colorful, soothing and beautiful. For most action jumping games graphics is the least you look at, but in Above you have time to enjoy them. The cell shaded animated hero of the game looks good, and his lack of facial features makes him an enigma. Why is this man jumping? Did he miss a meeting at his office, or is he a superhero who left his suit in the dryer this morning? We aren’t told in the game, and the sense of wonder makes the game ever more interesting.
The sound effects are also on the joyful side with whoops and doodallys as the character jumps from charged platforms. The heavy rumble of falling platforms can be felt, and it feels ominous before it falls. Music is soft, and suitable to the game. You can play your own music, and keep the sound effects if you want to.
Falling off from up here has got to hurt.
Above is a great game in the one button/one action genre. The simple controls are responsive, and the game is quite addictive. I prefer these kinds of games to only have one mode as it makes them more competitive in my opinion. Above comes with three levels with different difficulties, and this is actually enough to give variation instead of inventing some other mode. The lack of proper online leaderboards hurt the final score, and I hope some of the bigger services will be included in future updates. Furthermore I complained in my preview about only having six letters for highscores, and sadly that still remains. It might be nitpicking but I think a game should either use three initials or at ten letters for the high score lists. Local achievements are available for those inclined to chase them. I can definitely recommend Above as a fun jumping game with a relaxed vibe. It is quite addictive, but without online leaderboards it won’t be insanely addictive. And quite frankly I would like to have the title as only Above as too many really poor games add addictive to gain recognition. I personally enjoy Above to the extent that I give it an Editor’s Choice award.
Above – Insanely Addictive! $1.99 (get it from 
) Version: 1.0.0 Seller: Axolot
