Lonely Mountains: Downhill

 Switch
Lonely Mountains: Downhill Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

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  • Summary: Just you and your bike — take it on a thrilling ride down an unspoiled mountain landscape. Make your way through thick forests, narrow trails and wild rivers. Race, jump, slide and try not to crash — all the way from the peak to the valley.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Guardian
    May 14, 2020
    100
    I have become obsessed with this game in the last week, with the moments of quiet, uninterrupted, intense concentration it has given me at a time when focusing is difficult. The game has a simple concept, executed very well, with precise controls and finely balanced difficulty, but it is the magical ambience and an urge towards self-mastery that keep drawing me back, hurtling downhill with my heart in my mouth.
  2. Nintenderos
    May 31, 2020
    90
    Extreme sports come to Nintendo Switch thanks to Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Descending a mountain has never been so addicting and satisfying. If you like extreme sports simulation games and even if it is your first time with this type of titles, we recommend this challenge.
  3. Nintendo Insider
    Jun 26, 2020
    90
    Lonely Mountains: Downhill is one of those prime examples of a game so simple in its concept but executed so well. There’s a constant force pulling you back in for one more death-defying ride that fans of the Trials series will be no stranger to. Unlike Ubisoft’s loud and goofy rider though, Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a beautiful experience – often times tranquil – that proved an obsession of mine for weeks, the call of the mountain too strong to drag myself away.
  4. Pure Nintendo
    May 15, 2020
    85
    Whether you’re pedaling down tight paths with little margin for error, catching air off natural stone ramps, or getting a quicker than expected reprieve by cruising over a railed bridge, Lonely Mountains: Downhill delivers a challenging, yet remarkably calming, experience. Don’t let a few miscues prevent you from checking this one out; it’s a game worth mastering.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Jun 17, 2020
    80
    Lonely Mountains: Downhill is a new, minimalist kind of extreme sports experience. Whether you’re popping on for a quick run or spending longer riding across numerous mountains, Lonely Mountains provides a challenging but ultimately relaxing experience.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    May 8, 2020
    80
    One of the best video games to ever be based around cycling, with the stylised visuals and pitch perfect controls creating an impressively immersive experience.
  7. M3
    Jun 12, 2020
    60
    Lonely Mountains: Downhill is the perfect game to play between other big gaming sessions. It's easy to pick up and the adrenaline will become addictive. The only real downside is that the control methods take time to get used to, which can deter some.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 30
  3. Negative: 5 out of 30
  1. sonicpulsar
    May 9, 2020
    10
    Absolutely fantastic and Perfect for the Switch, both handheld and Docked modes. The vibration on the joycons also provide a great sensation.
  2. j0ollyJumper
    May 26, 2020
    10
    Amazing little game. It is so much fun to race down the mountains slow as well as very fast. It also provides some nice depth due to theAmazing little game. It is so much fun to race down the mountains slow as well as very fast. It also provides some nice depth due to the various bike variations that offer different skills which makes it lots of fun to play the tracks over and over to find all the crazy nice shortcuts. The steering is sometimes not that intuitive due to the camera movements but the pixel art and lovely design are incredibly well done.… Expand
  4. Scottview
    Mar 31, 2021
    9
    This is an impeccably designed game and one of the best skill based/racing games I have ever played, hands down.

    That being said, this is    This is an impeccably designed game and one of the best skill based/racing games I have ever played, hands down.

    That being said, this is definitely not a game for everyone, which is clearly reflected in the mixed user scores. As an aside, to me at least, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Why we have to live in a time where in order for a game to be considered "good" it has to have universal appeal is beyond me. Not every game has to be some hand-holdy semi to fully open world loot based action RPG.

    Anyways, in order to get the most out of this game, you have to be at least somewhat interested in replaying levels to improve on your best times, and have a willingness to find new shortcuts and secret routes. I'm someone who isn't normally into replaying levels and memorizing levels (especially so), but this was a challenge I welcomed in lonely mountains, likely due to the lack of any particular guidance or markers and the possibility of shortcuts, many of which aren't even specifically laid out by the level, to shave off precious second.

    As someone who has spent a lot of their life skiing and in the mountains, this game NAILS that perfect balance of feeling in control but also being at the mercy of your environment. Pulling off a good run in Lonely Mountains is one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had in gaming.

    This game is an absolute audiovisual delight too. The relaxing sounds of nature and simple visuals serve as a great contrast to the difficult twitchy gameplay, and in spite of the challenge I found this game to be quite relaxing. One of the best things about the branching levels in this game is how it essentially lets you play each level at your own pace. You CAN have a hyper obsession over level memorization, always wanting to improve your times, but sticking to the trails and going at your own pace is also incredibly engrossing in a sort of cathartic and relaxing way. While finding the best routes and getting the best times requires memorization, following the marked trail to completion does not require much memorization. I think its this fact and the open endedness of the levels that made me enjoy the level memorization metagame within Lonely Mountains, when level memorization is a trope in game design I typically don't like at all.

    This game is a masterclass in game design and I'm tempted to give it a 10/10, but some niggles with the performance on switch bring it down. Specifically, while it was quite rare, from time to time the games visuals would freeze for a few seconds while the action kept going behind the scenes, and in a game like this that demands constant attention, when this happened it would more often than not lead to a crash. Very frustrating and unfair. I should stress though, this is a rare occurrence.

    Long story short, if you think this is a bad game, you either just suck at it, or its not for you (alright, that's probably not entirely true).

    Anyways, Ii this game seems remotely appealing to you, I really think it is worth trying out. Thankfully, there is a demo out now for those who are curious.    … Expand
  5. rdekoch
    May 25, 2020
    8
    I love this game. Its got an unusual camera for this type of game but it works with this game. Don’t expect the camera to remain fixed on yourI love this game. Its got an unusual camera for this type of game but it works with this game. Don’t expect the camera to remain fixed on your bike as is the case with most racing games. It’s pleasing to the eye and wallet. It’s a game I think I’ll be playing for a long time. Unlocking a new trail is genuinely exciting. I haven’t near reached completion but so far it’s an absolute blast.… Expand
  6. RumCooking
    May 17, 2020
    7
    There's a really beautiful game under here, but there are a lot of physics inconsistencies that still need to get worked out.

    Sprinting, a    There's a really beautiful game under here, but there are a lot of physics inconsistencies that still need to get worked out.

    Sprinting, a core mechanic, doesn't always work and the player will die getting caught on object corners at the slowest speeds. Disappointingly, several of the game's speed challenges aren't possible to complete with the "screen-based" control scheme due to how it's programmed on Switch which isn't called out anywhere.    … Expand
  7. bingbang
    Jun 22, 2020
    7
    Like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a good, worthwhile and relaxing distraction from the world (except it's downhill mountain biking and youLike Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a good, worthwhile and relaxing distraction from the world (except it's downhill mountain biking and you die a lot).… Expand
  8. Narann
    Jun 12, 2023
    0
    Amazing mechanic, Switch port is a disaster, this is a skill based game, you have to be very precise, but inconsistent framerate kill the gameplay.

See all 30 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Switch Game of 2020
40
#40 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020