When Ski Lifts Go Wrong

When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is a construction and management simulation video game created by British indie developer Hugecalf Studios and published by Curve Digital. When Ski Lifts Go Wrong was released in early access on 4 October 2017[1] and fully released on 23 January 2019.[2][3]

When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
Cover art for When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
Developer(s)Hugecalf Studios
Publisher(s)Curve Digital
Platform(s)
Release
Early access
  • WW: 4 October 2017
Full release
  • WW: 23 January 2019
Genre(s)
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay edit

When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is a low-poly physics-based construction simulation game in which the player must construct chairlifts, gondolas, jumps and bridges to get non-playable character skiers through a snowy mountain setting.[4]

The goal is to achieve success in attempts to build strong structures within a budget.[5] Each stage begins with a landscape over a paper background, where the materials can be placed and a cable is attached to these structures.[6] The game visualises the amount of stress on each attached structure using colours so that the player knows which aspects of their construction they should improve on.[7]

Each level is completed when the player creates a working structure to carry a set number of controllable non-player character riders to the other side of the map.[8][9] In over 100 levels, riders have to be carried across safely and the map has to remain intact.[10] There are other factors in each level, such as a star rating which counts the number of stars the riders collect during the level, and a price limit which the player should stay under. A level editor is available, where players can create their own maps to play on.[11]

Development edit

When Ski Lift Go Wrong was released in early access under the name Carried Away on 4 October 2017.[1][12] A downloadable content pack, titled Carried Away: Winter Sports, was released on 9 February 2018, which features new modes and enables the player to compete in different sports.[13] When Ski Lift Go Wrong was fully released on 23 January 2019 for Windows, macOS and Nintendo Switch.[3]

Reception edit

When Ski Lift Go Wrong has been described as a game that is "easy to pick up, but hard to master."[7] The game has been compared to Happy Wheels and Bridge Constructor.[by whom?]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Press Kit". Huge Calf Studios. Retrieved 30 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong". Curve Digital. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b Seedhouse, Alex (23 January 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Out Now On Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Insider. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  4. ^ Musgrave, Shaun (24 January 2019). "SwitchArcade Round-Up: Nintendo's Indie Highlights, 'Cursed Castilla', 'When Ski Lifts Go Wrong', More New Releases, Today's Sales, and More". TouchArcade. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  5. ^ Koopman, Daan (5 February 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  6. ^ Lane, Gavin (28 January 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. ^ a b Bell, Alice (5 September 2018). "Strange indie games to watch from GamesCom 2018". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  8. ^ Hartley, Gary (29 April 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong (PC) review: It's snow way to make a living". Honest Gamers. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  9. ^ Svartas, Odd (17 March 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong". Gamereactor. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  10. ^ Stauffer, Derek (3 February 2019). "When Ski Lifts Go Wrong Review: A Charming and Challenging Puzzler". Screen Rant. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. ^ Hadley, Jupiter (4 April 2019). "How When Ski Lifts Go Wrong hits the right mix of blood and physics puzzles". Gamasutra. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  12. ^ "'Carried Away' (ALL) Now Called 'When Ski Lifts Go Wrong' - Screens & Trailer". WorthPlaying. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Carried Away: Winter Sports". Steam. Retrieved 14 December 2018.