Info about Pro Gymnast Simulator: Official game description: The 100% Physics-based athlete simulator ---------------------------------------- Imagine gymnastics, parkour, and ninja obstacle courses all combined- and you get **Pro Gymnast**, an amazingly fluid and expressive physics-based game of skill and acrobatics. Direct Controls --------------- Control your athlete directly with unique controls that allow unlimited expressive freedom (and hilarious fails!) Designed By a Gymnast/Acrobat ----------------------------- I've been doing gymnastics, trampoline, and trapeze my whole life! I made this game to share my love of the sport. Customize Your Avatar --------------------- Surprisingly deep avatar editor included! Make Your Own Courses --------------------- Fully-featured level editor and replay video exporter included. Simulate Realistic Gymnastics ----------------------------- Players keep finding ways to simulate real-world gymnastics in the game. CONTROLLER STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ------------------------------- This game was designed with a game controller (with 2 analog sticks and triggers) in mind. Keyboard controls are available, but are not recommended. Release date: Sep 4, 2020 Categories: Physics Simulation, Skill-Based Mastery, Level Editor, Character Customization, Precision Platformer, Single-player, Replay - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: No data - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: N/A - Story completion: N/A - Session length: 1.5h - Endgame: N/A - Reasoning: Session length is supported by multiple reviews indicating typical play sessions of 1-2 hours (e.g., 'played for a bit over 1 hour', 'nice for an hour or two', '1-2 hours to master a level'). Game completion and story completion times are not directly reported; one review mentions taking several hours to clear a single course, but no full-game completion time is given. Endgame playtime is not specified, as the only long-term playtime claim ('well over 100 hours') is total playtime, not specifically endgame content. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: The game is fun from the start but loses appeal after a short time, especially for skilled players, and lacks multiplayer to maintain long-term engagement. - Stance: Fun then drops - Anchor: Game start - Time to anchor: N/A - Friction: steep learning curve; lack of multiplayer mode - Unlock drivers: comfortable retry response - Conditions: player skill level; play session duration; availability of multiplayer; interest in party play - Player Archetypes: - Physics Perfectionist (buy) - Motivation: To master the physics-based gymnastics and achieve perfect routines. - Playstyle: Methodical, precise, uses gamepad, practices routines repeatedly. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: N/A - Reference games: N/A - Community & Content Advocate (buy) - Motivation: To expand the game through community features, multiplayer, and mods. - Playstyle: Plays the base game but is more interested in creating/sharing content and playing with others. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: N/A - Reference games: Happy Wheels - Chaos & Difficulty Masochist (buy) - Motivation: To experience the chaotic fun and overcome the difficulty. - Playstyle: Plays with keyboard, embraces chaos, does not care about perfection. - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: N/A - Reference games: N/A - Loyal Series Veteran (buy) - Motivation: To relive the fun of previous games and support the developer. - Playstyle: Uses gamepad, plays for nostalgia and multiplayer. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: N/A - Reference games: Gymnast Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Game is fun and enjoyable (weight 0.9): Players consistently describe the game as fun, brilliant, and entertaining, with many noting it is a fun challenge and excellent fun. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with multiple reviewers calling it a great or instant classic game. - Physics-based gameplay is engaging (weight 0.72): The physics-based mechanics are highlighted as well-made, very fun, and engrossing, with satisfying and realistic physics that feel great once mastered. The ragdoll mechanics and life-like physics contribute to a great deal of fun and funny moments. - Extensive character customization (weight 0.5): The character creator is extensive with many sliders, hairstyles, face customization, body shape editing, and hair physics. Character models are decent-looking, and there are lots of options to customize how you play, such as grip assist and physics speeds. - Level editor with workshop support (weight 0.49): The game includes a level editor with workshop support, allowing players to create and share custom levels. User-created levels from the workshop are praised as good, and the course editor and player-made maps are also mentioned positively. - Many levels with variety (weight 0.46): The game offers plenty of fun and challenging levels with enough variation, including many ways to complete them with challenges like point scores and time. There are lots of levels and content, including a customizable practice map, and the developer put effort into each map. - Rewarding challenge and progression (weight 0.45): The game offers a rewarding challenge that builds persistence, with techniques that start to build on each other and a long learning curve that is rewarding to master. Players can feel themselves improve as they play, and the game allows grinding to develop skills and routines. - Funny and humorous moments (weight 0.4): The game provides countless hilarious moments, with fails being epic and even failing making the player laugh. The humor and physics fill the time it takes to learn the controls and beat harder levels, making it good for a laugh. - Replay editor and sharing (weight 0.38): The game features an impressive replay editor with the ability to export videos in mp4 and GIF formats, and players can share replays. The in-game recorder and replay editor are described as a lot of fun and a nice feature. - High quality and worth buying (weight 0.35): The game is described as high quality and worth buying without regret, with one reviewer rating it 10/10 and calling it the best gymnastics game in the world. It is also considered the developer's best so far and better than Getting Over It. - Satisfying perfect landings (weight 0.25): Sticking a perfect landing is satisfying, and the game is pleasing to watch characters pass levels. The acrobatic moves and many nice moves to perform add to the enjoyment. - Visual and audio polish (weight 0.23): Graphics look great and fit the gameplay, and the background music fits the game. Visual options like disabling DOF blur are available, and the game is perfect on Steam Deck. - Slo-mo and physics options (weight 0.19): The game has a slow-motion state that shows a parabola line when released, and the slo-mo toggle is appreciated. There are lots of options to customize how you play, such as physics speeds. - Great community on Discord (weight 0.15): The Discord community is described as great, and the community on Discord is mentioned positively. This suggests a supportive and active player base around the game. - Comfortable retry and addictive (weight 0.15): The retry response is comfortable, making the game addictive, and there is a one-button fast retry feature. This encourages players to keep trying challenging levels without frustration. - Accessible for beginners (weight 0.14): Video tutorials are included, making the game accessible for beginners, and there is a training mode. The controls are well explained in the first levels, helping new players get started. - Multiplayer and friends support (weight 0.14): The game can be played with friends, and multiplayer was super fun. This social aspect adds to the overall enjoyment and replayability. - Tournament and achievements (weight 0.13): The game has a tournament mode with medal conditions and achievements have been added. These features provide additional goals and replay value for players. - Japanese language support (weight 0.07): The game has Japanese support, making it accessible to Japanese-speaking players. This localization effort is noted positively by reviewers. Common complaints: - Game difficulty is very high (weight 0.51): The game is described as very difficult, hard for clumsy players, and with a considerable difficulty and steep learning curve. Completing the game is hard, and some stages seem impossible or rely on luck. - Controls are unintuitive and complex (weight 0.46): Multiple clusters highlight that the controls are unintuitive, complicated, and frustrating to learn. The learning curve is steep, and it takes a while to get used to the unique control scheme. - Game lacks polish and feels unfinished (weight 0.39): The game doesn't feel super polished, is badly made, and has issues like ugly physics, glitches, and bugged settings. This contributes to a negative overall impression. - Game becomes boring quickly (weight 0.32): The game gets boring after an hour or two, and is boring for players who are good at it. Harder levels aren't fun to play, and the game is a death game that torments players. - Limited content and features (weight 0.32): There are limited places to go, no multiplayer mode, no Steam workshop for user-created content, and a limited wardrobe with only one option for male pants. This reduces replayability and player engagement. - Poor onboarding and guidance (weight 0.28): The game doesn't guide the player well, and techniques are only explained after clearing them. The first tutorial stage cannot be completed, and the demo is misleadingly easy compared to the full game. - Assist options are insufficient (weight 0.27): Assist options aren't good enough to compensate for the difficulty, and the grab assist mode is a bad targeting AI that often lands players in awkward positions. The slow-down mechanic is also not usable when going for speed medals and feels cheap. - Settings and options are buggy (weight 0.26): Volume settings only apply during stages and cannot be changed on menu or stage selection screens, language settings revert to default after restarting, and resolution settings are bugged. Export Replay cannot be cancelled. - Gameplay mechanics are flawed (weight 0.26): The tack mechanic is not smooth, the twisting mechanic is not responsive and can break physics, and obstacles prevent the gymnastics movement the game is based on. The physics of spins is ugly. - Visuals and audio have flaws (weight 0.25): Visuals look faded and lack natural colors, character models are ugly, and one BGM track has clipping or distortion. There is no character voice, so no grunts or screams. - Character creation has issues (weight 0.21): Character creation lacks a camera, and menus are clunky and confusing, making it easy to exit without saving. It is possible to create a character that cannot complete certain objectives. - Game concept poorly executed (weight 0.2): The idea is not well executed, and the game blurs its own subjectivity. The level-based structure is disliked by some reviewers. - Price is too high (weight 0.16): Some players feel the game is overpriced, being 'too high' or 'a bit pricier than expected' relative to the content and quality offered. - Progress can be blocked (weight 0.16): Progress is blocked at the last beach stage, and some stages seem impossible to clear and rely on luck. This can prevent players from completing the game. - Game can cause physical harm (weight 0.15): The game can cause the player to hit walls, and one player broke their keyboard and table due to frustration. This indicates a high potential for physical damage. Gameplay feedback: - Steep learning curve (weight 0.56): Multiple reviews highlight that the game is tricky, complicated, and hard to learn, with complex controls. This is the most frequently mentioned aspect, indicating a significant barrier for new players. - Physics-based movement core (weight 0.49): The game is consistently described as physics-based, with realistic and life-like physics, including ragdoll mechanics. This foundational element shapes the gameplay and is a key selling point. - Gymnastics and acrobatics focus (weight 0.43): The game is a gymnastics simulator featuring acrobatic moves, apparatus like horizontal bars, rings, and parallel bars, and requires swinging, jumping, and flying with perfect timing. This defines the game's identity. - Unique control scheme (weight 0.28): Players control arms and legs independently using the left and right sticks, with additional buttons for bending and slow motion. This control scheme is complex but offers depth and mastery. - Customization options (weight 0.27): The game offers a character creator, wardrobe, and customization options including body proportions, grip assist, and physics speeds. This allows players to tailor the experience. - Special mechanics and features (weight 0.23): The game includes a tack mechanic, slow-down mechanic, slow-motion state with parabola line, and a twist action for spin-like rotation. These add depth to gameplay. - High difficulty and precision (weight 0.22): Levels have very high difficulty and low tolerance for error, requiring zero mistakes to complete four medals. This creates a challenging, death-memorization experience. - Multiplayer availability (weight 0.21): Some reviews mention the game can be played with friends and has multiplayer, while one review notes no multiplayer mode. This discrepancy may reflect different versions or updates. - Realistic physics and mechanics (weight 0.2): The game features realistic controls and physics, including centrifugal force from weight transfer for jumping and life-like movement. This realism is a core aspect. - Level editor and creation (weight 0.16): The game includes a level editor and level creation feature, allowing players to design their own challenges. This adds replayability and community engagement. - Progression through learning (weight 0.15): Players keep learning new movements as they progress, and the game becomes smoother once movements are figured out. This emphasizes a mastery curve. - Medal system based on performance (weight 0.15): Medals are awarded based on time, technical points, and collectibles, with up to four medal conditions in tournament mode. This provides clear goals and replay value. - Tutorial and demo available (weight 0.14): The game has a tutorial stage and a demo version, with a full version offering more content. This helps players learn the basics before committing. - Early development with future plans (weight 0.14): The game is early in development, with future content planned such as diving and more props. This indicates ongoing updates and expansion. - Achievements and character design (weight 0.12): The game has achievements and character design features, providing additional goals and personalization. This enhances the overall experience. - Stage-clear structure (weight 0.09): The game is a stage-clear type gymnastics simulator, with levels that require completing objectives. This structure is clear from the reviews. - Hair physics and realism (weight 0.07): The game features hair physics, adding to the realistic feel. This is a minor but notable detail. - Controls relative to player (weight 0.07): Controls are relative to the player, not the screen, which may affect how players orient themselves. This is a specific control detail. - Keyboard controls comfortable (weight 0.06): One review notes that keyboard controls are more comfortable, suggesting that input method preference matters. This could be useful for players. Performance notes: - Resolution settings are bugged (weight 0.09): Players report that resolution settings are not working correctly, causing display issues. This is a specific technical problem that affects the visual experience. - Fullscreen and refresh rate fixed (weight 0.09): A patch resolved issues with fullscreen mode and 60Hz refresh rate, improving display performance. This indicates the developers are actively addressing technical feedback. - Fullscreen capture has skipping issues (weight 0.08): Capturing gameplay in fullscreen mode causes skipping or stuttering, which may affect streamers or content creators. This is a niche but specific technical problem. Recommendations: - Game is recommended overall (weight 0.46): Multiple reviewers recommend the game, with some giving strong endorsements. The general sentiment is positive, suggesting the game is worth playing. - Recommended for gymnastics fans (weight 0.28): The game is particularly recommended for fans of gymnastics, acrobatics, and similar physical activities. This indicates the game's theme or mechanics appeal to that audience. - Use gamepad for best experience (weight 0.24): Reviewers highly recommend playing with a gamepad, especially one with thumbsticks, for better control. This suggests the game's controls are more suited to a controller than keyboard. - Recommended for physics game fans (weight 0.22): Fans of physics-based games, precision platforming, and titles like QWOP or Getting Over It will likely enjoy this game. The recommendation highlights the game's physics-driven gameplay. - Controls may frustrate some players (weight 0.15): Some reviewers note that the controls can be frustrating, and the game may not be easily recommendable to everyone. The difficulty spike and control complexity could deter casual players. - Must-have on Steam Deck (weight 0.09): One reviewer states that if you have a Steam Deck, you must have this game installed. This suggests the game is well-suited for the Steam Deck and offers a great portable experience. Other player notes: - Community content and workshop support (weight 0.41): Players highlight the availability of community-created levels via Steam Workshop and a Discord community for sharing maps and replays. This user-generated content significantly extends the game's longevity and appeal. - Comparisons to QWOP and Getting Over It (weight 0.35): Multiple reviews compare the game's difficulty and physics-based gameplay to QWOP and Getting Over It, emphasizing its challenging and often frustrating nature. This comparison helps set player expectations for the game's core experience. - Developer support and updates (weight 0.34): Players appreciate the developer's continued updates and engagement, with some noting they bought the game to support the developer. This positive relationship with the community is a strong point in reviews. - Niche appeal and difficulty (weight 0.27): The game's appeal is described as very niche, with a high difficulty curve that may not suit all players. This is a common theme, with some comparing it to 'Jar Man' and noting its frustrating yet rewarding nature. - Level editor and creation tools (weight 0.24): The presence of a level editor is praised, allowing players to design and share their own courses. This feature, combined with community sharing, enhances replayability and creative engagement. - Comparisons to Trials series (weight 0.23): Several reviews liken the game to the Trials series, noting similarities in physics-based obstacle courses and time-trial gameplay. This comparison helps players understand the game's mechanics and structure. - Gameplay features and modes (weight 0.22): The game includes various modes such as training, tournament with medal conditions, and replay recording in MP4 and GIF formats. These features add depth and polish, making the game more accessible and shareable. - Comparisons to Happy Wheels and Stilt Fella (weight 0.21): Some reviews compare the game to Happy Wheels, noting the lack of blood and sound effects, while others compare it to Stilt Fella, highlighting more complex controls. These comparisons help frame the game's unique physics and tone. - Personal connections and nostalgia (weight 0.19): Some reviewers grew up playing Walaber's games and received the game as a gift from the developer, creating a personal connection. This nostalgia and personal relationship positively influence their reviews. - Visual and design evolution (weight 0.16): The game's visual style changed from 2D to 3D, and the original gymnast was square. This evolution is noted by long-time players, showing the game's growth and development over time. - Platform and compatibility (weight 0.15): The game is compatible with Steam Deck and previously appeared on Xbox Live Arcade Indie, now on Steam. This cross-platform availability is a positive for players who want to play on different devices. - Localization and language support (weight 0.15): The game has Japanese support, but some help videos are English-only. This mixed localization is noted, with players appreciating the Japanese support but wishing for more language options. - Early development and potential (weight 0.15): The game is still early in development, and players hope for more support and features. This is seen as both a limitation and an opportunity for future growth. - Price and value (weight 0.15): The price is considered correct for the amount of fun, and the game is often on sale. This value proposition is a positive factor for potential buyers. - Community and content sharing (weight 0.14): Players share gameplay videos on YouTube and use Discord to share levels, fostering a strong community. This social aspect enhances the game's visibility and engagement. - Comparisons to Ninja Warrior and ski stunt simulator (weight 0.14): The game is compared to Ninja Warrior and ski stunt simulator, highlighting its obstacle-course and stunt-based gameplay. These comparisons help players understand the game's core mechanics. - Completion and replayability (weight 0.08): The game can be 100% completed, offering a clear goal for completionists. This adds to the game's replayability and long-term appeal. - Influencer and streamer recognition (weight 0.08): A well-known streamer said the game feels like nobody can do it, which has brought attention to the game's extreme difficulty. This external recognition has contributed to its notoriety. Emotions: - Frustration (weight 0.18): Players are frustrated by unintuitive and complex controls, which are hard to learn and often explained only after clearing stages. The game's high difficulty, including impossible stages and frequent falls, adds to the stress, with some even breaking keyboards or tables. Technical issues like bugged resolution settings and inadequate assist options further compound the frustration. - Enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players find the game highly enjoyable and fun, often describing it as addictive and well-made. The fun and challenging levels, combined with physics-based movement and humor, contribute to a rewarding experience once the controls are mastered. Many reviewers report really enjoying the game and its replay editor. - Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players feel a strong sense of satisfaction from completing difficult challenges and achieving perfect acrobatic moves through repetition. The game's rewarding physics and the ability to see personal improvement keep players engaged, with many finding it worth buying without regret. Achievements and the ability to grind skills add to the fulfilling experience. - Amusement (weight 0.08): The game's chaotic physics and ragdoll mechanics provide endless humorous moments, with players finding the glitches and funny actions highly entertaining. The difficulty, combined with the ability to retry immediately, adds to the comedic value, making the game genuinely funny and enjoyable. - Disappointment (weight 0.07): Players are disappointed by the lack of polish and guidance, as well as the misleadingly easy demo compared to the full game. The execution of the idea falls short, with issues like faded colors, hard-to-see maps, and the possibility of creating characters that cannot complete objectives. Long-standing requests for improvements have not been addressed, adding to the letdown. - Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the well-implemented core ideas and mechanics, particularly the realistic physics and controls that make sense. The developer's continued updates and the gift of the game from the developer are also valued, enhancing the overall positive reception. - Excitement (weight 0.05): Players are excited by the game's quality, considering it the best game ever and as great as the trailer. The discovery of the proper release after years and the anticipation of a sequel to a favorite game add to the excitement, with some finding it better than Getting Over It. - Fun (weight 0.04): The game is described as a lot of fun to mess around with once the controls are mastered, offering a fun challenge. Players consistently report that the game is very fun to play, highlighting its enjoyable gameplay. - Boredom (weight 0.02): The game becomes boring for players who are skilled at it, with the novelty wearing off after an hour or two. This suggests a lack of long-term engagement for experienced players. - Joy (weight 0.02): Playing with friends and loving the horizontal bars brings joy, and the game is a blast to play with funny failures. The social and humorous aspects contribute to a joyful experience. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): The game appeals strongly to fans of physics games, precision platforming, and gymnastics, being described as THE game for all acrobats. This enthusiastic endorsement highlights its niche appeal and quality. - Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game as the developer's best so far and believe it to be the best gymnastics game in the world. This high praise reflects the game's exceptional quality and execution. - Happiness (weight 0.02): Players are happy that the game is amazing and that they have waited long for it, with watching their created character pass levels easily bringing joy. The fulfillment of expectations contributes to the happiness. - Dislike (weight 0.02): Players dislike the level-based structure and the slow-down mechanic, which feels cheap. These design choices detract from the overall experience for some. - Gladness (weight 0.02): Players are glad about the game's return on Steam and having bought the game, indicating satisfaction with the purchase and availability. - Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are dissatisfied with the current physics of spins, which are described as ugly. This specific aspect of the game fails to meet expectations. - Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic when remembering the first version of the game where the gymnast was square, evoking fond memories of the game's origins. - Delight (weight 0.01): Players are delighted by the game's challenges, which are loved and provide a satisfying experience. - Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by how much they enjoyed the game, indicating that it exceeded their initial expectations. - Determination (weight 0.01): Players are determined to complete the challenge of earning four medals with zero mistakes, showing a strong commitment to mastering the game's toughest objectives.}