Updraft

About the game

Updraft is a hot-air balloon race you play with a single button. Hold it to fire the burner and climb, let go and your balloon slowly sinks. You cannot steer left or right yourself; the sky does that for you. It is split into five wind layers, and each one blows its own way at its own speed. Arrows on both edges and the streaks in the air show which way every layer is going.

A glowing landing pad waits somewhere on the ground. Pick the layer that carries you toward it, then let go at the right moment and drift down through the lower winds. Touch down gently: the first balloon on the pad scores 3 points and the second scores 1. Come in too fast or miss the pad and you bounce off, dizzy, for a second. Every 40 seconds the winds change, so the best route keeps changing too.

The first player to 10 points wins, or whoever leads after two minutes. Race against up to three computer pilots on three difficulty levels, or share one keyboard or phone with a friend in 2 Players mode.

How to play

1. Hold to fire the burner and rise. Let go to sink.
2. Each sky layer blows its own way. Climb or sink into the one that carries you toward the glowing pad.
3. Land softly on the pad: first lander +3, second +1. Too fast or off the pad and you bounce.
4. First to 10 points wins, or the leader after 2 minutes. The winds change every 40 seconds.

Controls

Computer

Hold Space, W, ↑ or the left mouse button to burn. A/D or ←/→ give a small sideways nudge. 2 Players: P1 holds Space, P2 holds Enter.

Phone & tablet

Hold anywhere on the screen to burn and slide sideways for a small nudge. In 2 Players mode each player holds their own 🔥 button.

Questions