Tools Up!

Lore & Background

The concept for Tools Up! originated during a company party in March 2018. While playing cooperative multiplayer games like Overcooked and Gang Beasts, developer studio The Knights of Unity identified a market demand for accessible, couch co-op games. The home renovation theme was conceived by team member Rafał Polito. Developed using the Unity engine, the project focused on simplified mechanics so players could focus on teamwork, with the hardest part of development being balancing the simplicity.

Before release, Tools Up! was presented at several events, including Gamescom 2019, PAX West 2019, and Tokyo Game Show 2019. The game features two modes: Campaign Mode and Party Mode, and supports up to four players locally. Players take the role of a home renovator, completing tasks such as painting, cleaning, moving furniture, and redecorating.

On May 1, 2024, Tools Up! Ultimate Edition was released, containing all updates, content, and downloadable content as well as a new player-versus-player mode.

Reader's Guide

Tools Up! received 'mixed or average' reviews from critics, with aggregate scores of 72/100 for PlayStation 4 and 62/100 for both Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on Metacritic. The Escapist noted that the game had a good concept but needed 'more polish'. Le Soir criticized the lack of an online mode, observing that the game quickly shows its limits. Jordan Devore of Destructoid wrote that its simplistic gameplay fell short of its potential, but was nevertheless 'enjoyable'.

The game's significance lies in its attempt to fill a niche for accessible couch co-op experiences, a market the developers identified during play sessions of similar titles. Its home renovation theme was a distinctive choice, and the emphasis on simplified controls aimed to lower barriers for cooperative play. However, critical reception highlighted that the simplicity, while intentional, may have limited the game's depth and longevity. The later release of the Ultimate Edition in 2024, which added a player-versus-player mode, suggests an effort to expand the game's replayability beyond its original scope.

Did You Know?

• Tools Up! was presented at Gamescom 2019, PAX West 2019, and Tokyo Game Show 2019 before release.
• The Tools Up! Ultimate Edition, released on May 1, 2024, added a new player-versus-player mode.