Do I need a gamepad for Only Up! Forward?

No. Keyboard and mouse cover everything on desktop, and touch controls appear on phones. Some browser games recognise a connected controller, but it is never required.

Why do I keep dying on the same stage?

Usually because an enemy pattern has not clicked yet. Watch it a couple of times without attacking to see the gaps, then try again.

Yes. There is normally a pause button in the player or the Escape key works. Switching tabs also pauses most browser games.

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Browser game · Action

Only Up! Forward

Meet Jackie, a determined teenager hailing from the gritty streets of the ghetto.

4.3

Play now — it's free

Runs in your browser · no download

Category: Action
Score: 4.3
Device: Mobile + Desktop
Access: Free Play
Controls: Mouse + Keyboard
Type: HTML5 Game

The guide

Overview

Meet Jackie, a determined teenager hailing from the gritty streets of the ghetto. Jackie yearns to break free from the shackles of poverty, igniting an inner fire to explore both the vast world and the depths of their own identity. In a world perpetually in flux, Jackie senses an opportunity amidst the chaos. The current global upheaval is a call to arms, a chance to take bold strides towards transformation. Yet, the allure of progress is tempered by the daunting prospect of setbacks – every move forward could potentially thrust them several steps back.

What it's like to play

Enemies first, then everything else. That is how most action games teach you to think. Movement, attacking and dodging happen in rapid alternation, and your eyes are constantly scanning the edges of the screen for the next threat. Between fights there are small rewards, a new weapon or a health refill, and then the next wave arrives. Sessions leave you alert and slightly out of breath.

How to play

1Find the attack and jump controls on the start screen, then test them on the first enemy you meet.
2Keep moving sideways rather than toward enemies. Lateral movement dodges most projectiles and lunges.
3Target one enemy at a time and finish it before switching, unless a group is about to surround you.
4After clearing a stage, take a second to grab any pickups on screen before advancing.

Features

Free to play, nothing to install, no account needed
Loads in the browser tab and opens full screen when you press Play
Plays best with the phone turned sideways or on a wider screen
Mouse and keyboard controls, with touch support on most devices
Listed under Action

Why it's worth a go

Only Up! Forward is for when you want something to hit back. It is free, runs straight in the browser with no install, and gets going within seconds. The fights are tight and the stages are short enough that a quick session feels complete.

Who it's for

Suits players who enjoy combat games and have quick hands, generally teens and adults. Fans of side-scrolling fighters and beat-em-ups will slip into it easily. It is not aimed at young children.

FAQs

Do I need a gamepad for Only Up! Forward?: No. Keyboard and mouse cover everything on desktop, and touch controls appear on phones. Some browser games recognise a connected controller, but it is never required.
Why do I keep dying on the same stage?: Usually because an enemy pattern has not clicked yet. Watch it a couple of times without attacking to see the gaps, then try again.
Can I pause?: Yes. There is normally a pause button in the player or the Escape key works. Switching tabs also pauses most browser games.