Developer Caracal Games’ first-person parkour platformer Downward first launched back in July 2017, and now it’s set to return with some updates. Downward Enhanced throws updated graphics and more into the mix when it hits consoles and PC on June 4, 2024.
Beyond the visual improvements — which include some new assets —the enhanced version adds optimization and a new ending. Those who already own the base game will be able to upgrade to Downward Enhanced with a free update. You can see more of the dizzying, post-apocalyptic parkour feats in action in the release date trailer below.
Similar to games like Mirror’s Edge but perhaps not quite as disorienting as VR attempts like Stride, Downward has you jumping, sliding, hanging, and running along walls. This time around, however, you’ll be doing so in a ruined world in search of legendary artifacts and an explanation for the apocalypse that brought us to this point in the first place.
Along the way, you can upgrade your powers and boost your stats to give yourself an edge against some of the Ancient Guardians that want to put an end to all those pesky acrobatics. There’s also a balance of world exploration that has you using those parkour skills to find hidden items and secret locations.
It’s not easy to make first-person platforming work in any meaningful way, so when a developer gets it even partially right, I tend to pay attention. When Downward Enhanced launches, you’ll be able to jump into “humanity’s final adventure” on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.
