Underplayed Gems

Hopward (2025)

Hopward cover
Developer
GoodGhostGames
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Adventure, Casual, Indie
Rating
5.0 of 5, 10 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 2.0 hours
Where to get it
Steam
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like thisWatch the trailer

or watch the trailer on YouTube

How it feels

A lighthearted but demanding climb where every leap must be perfectly timed in a pure vertical ascent.

whimsicalpunishingprecision platformervertical challengedeterminedsimple mechanics

What players say

Players call this an Only Up-style game that feels like a proper platformer, with a frog hero and jumping mechanics that reward mastery. Difficulty is high but fair, though some note long stretches without checkpoints and unpredictable platform placements. Reviews praise the varied biomes, relaxing music, and motivating challenge.

Screenshots

Hopward screenshot 1

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.