One Way: The Elevator on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
One Way: The Elevator is a creative point-and-click game developed by CottonGame. You need to find a blue sphere in each scene to power an elevator to travel upward.
One Way: The Elevator is a casual, rpg and puzzle game
developed and published by Cotton Game.
Released on August 13th 2020 is available on Windows and MacOS
in 10 languages: English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese - Portugal and Korean.
It has received 411 reviews of which 383 were positive and 28 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. ๐
The game is currently priced at 3.99โฌ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified One Way: The Elevator into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at One Way: The Elevator through various videos and screenshots.
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: windows 7
- Processor: Intel Pentium 4
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- Graphics: Intel GMA 950
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Storage: 2 GB available space
MacOS
- OS: OS X 10.7
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Storage: 2 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
I had a great time with One Way: The Elevator! Itโs a super cute game with a heart-tugging story and puzzles that hit the sweet spot of being challenging enough to be satisfying, but logical enough that you won't need a guide. I did run into one small annoyance where the background music and puzzle audio played over each other, but it only happened in one level. I played it through to the end and loved the experience, even if I didn't go back for every achievement.
Expand the review
A sweet puzzle game with compelling characters and storyline.
Expand the review
One Way: The Elevator, developed and published by Cotton Game, is a whimsical and contemplative point-and-click puzzle adventure that invites players on a gentle ascent through surreal worlds filled with mystery, emotion, and imagination. At first glance, its premise is beautifully simpleโyou control a small character who must ascend an elevator by finding a glowing blue orb on each floor to power it upward. Yet beneath this straightforward goal lies a deeply thoughtful experience that transforms a mechanical journey into an allegory of personal growth, discovery, and reflection. Each floor of the elevator functions as a self-contained world, presenting a small puzzle or interaction that gradually builds upon the gameโs quiet exploration of life and memory. The gameโs structure unfolds through a sequence of interconnected vignettes, each new floor introducing a distinct environment and visual theme. One might lead you into a mechanical workshop populated by peculiar contraptions, while another brings you face-to-face with whimsical creatures, from floating fish to melancholy robots. The puzzles that inhabit these spaces are minimalist in design, often relying on environmental observation and logical inference rather than explicit instructions. The absence of dialogue or text forces the player to pay attention to visual cues, sound effects, and the flow of movement within each scene. This design choice not only enhances immersion but also encourages curiosity and experimentation. Each puzzle solved and each floor ascended feels like uncovering another layer of a wordless narrative told through color, rhythm, and subtle symbolism. The visual style of One Way: The Elevator is instantly recognizable and deeply evocative. Cotton Game, known for its distinctive art direction in titles like Isoland and Mr. Pumpkin Adventure, applies the same hand-crafted charm here. The backgrounds are painted with warmth and detail, blending surreal architecture with dreamlike landscapes. Every scene feels alive in its own quiet way, populated by strange creatures and curious mechanical devices that breathe personality into the world. The soft palette of pastels and earth tones creates a calm, almost nostalgic atmosphere, while the hand-drawn aesthetic lends a sense of intimacy that makes the world feel tangible and personal. The animation is restrained but purposeful, emphasizing small gestures and subtle changes that reward patient observation. Itโs a visual experience that invites players to slow down and appreciate the gentle artistry that defines each floor of the elevator. Sound design plays an equally important role in establishing the gameโs meditative tone. The background music is composed of soft, melodic themes that drift like a daydream, creating a sense of serenity even as the puzzles grow more complex. Ambient effectsโrustling wind, mechanical clicks, faint echoesโadd texture to the environments and make each location feel distinct. Because there is no spoken dialogue, sound becomes the emotional bridge between the player and the world. The music swells gently when you solve a puzzle or uncover a hidden mechanism, creating a satisfying sense of accomplishment that feels organic rather than forced. This harmony between audio and visual design strengthens the gameโs emotional core, transforming what could have been a series of mechanical puzzles into an introspective journey about persistence and understanding. Beneath its surface charm, One Way: The Elevator carries a subtle narrative thread about ascensionโnot just physically through the elevator but spiritually and emotionally through the act of moving forward. Each floor can be read as a metaphor for stages of life or fragments of memory, where solving puzzles mirrors the process of coming to terms with the past or rediscovering forgotten pieces of oneself. The recurring motifs of light, growth, and motion suggest a quiet optimism beneath the gameโs melancholic undertones. There is a sense that each small act of discovery contributes to a larger, unseen purpose, echoing the way lifeโs smallest moments can lead to profound realization. Without uttering a single word, the game manages to communicate a sense of humanity and emotional progression that feels both universal and deeply personal. Despite its beauty and emotional resonance, the gameโs simplicity also defines its limitations. The entire experience can be completed in just a few hours, and once the puzzles are solved, there is little incentive to replay. The difficulty curve remains gentle throughout, which may leave puzzle veterans wanting more challenge or complexity. Some puzzles rely on visual pattern recognition or experimentation rather than strict logic, which can occasionally lead to moments of confusion or trial-and-error frustration. However, these shortcomings are softened by the gameโs pacing and presentation. Itโs not designed to challenge in a traditional sense but rather to create a space for quiet contemplation, making it a more meditative experience than a demanding one. For those who approach it with patience, its brevity becomes part of its charmโa concise yet emotionally rich journey that lingers in the mind long after the elevator reaches its final stop. One Way: The Elevator ultimately succeeds as a delicate and introspective piece of interactive art. It doesnโt overwhelm the player with complexity or narrative exposition; instead, it communicates through feeling, gesture, and imagery. Its world is small but filled with wonder, its puzzles modest but meaningful, and its tone perfectly balanced between whimsy and melancholy. It is a game about discovery in its purest formโdiscovery of the world around you, and of yourself within it. For fans of atmospheric puzzle adventures, it offers a tranquil yet profound experience that blends artistry, simplicity, and emotional depth into a single graceful ascent. In an age of noisy, high-intensity games, One Way: The Elevator stands as a gentle reminder that sometimes the quietest journeys can be the most affecting. Rating: 9/10
Expand the review
I knew that the next game from Cotton Game studio would once again carry my soul while incredibly hand-drawn artie casts and main little guy with and his little red nose. Bringing such a kind characters to life must have been nothing, but an amazing shot of a joy in the animation studio. With every floor I passed through, I felt as if I were melting into it, as the charming roles filled my heart with pure happiness. I wonโt spoil this emotional story for anyone; I only want to gently tell people that even through hard times and gloom, we can fulfill every possible dream that comes to usโwith a relieving smile. Whoever still has a little strength left in the dark world they live in will one day awaken into a colorful, soothing one. And once that happens, nothing will stop you. โ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฏ'๐ต ๐ฌ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ธ, ๐ธ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ฏ ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ด๐ช๐น ๐บ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ฅ, ๐ด๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ธ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ญ๐ฅ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ญ๐ช๐ง๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ. ๐ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ ๐ธ๐ข๐ด ๐ง๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ถ๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ญ๐บ ๐ฃ๐ญ๐ถ๐ฆ, ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ.โ (bridge to dream book) A beautiful, realistic idea, with just enough logic to give it substance, so that together we can help someone achieve even the impossible. It was a joy to take part in this delightful project. I feel touched. Thank you. I strongly recommend it. P.S. The achievement Waiting is deeply moving, if you save it for the very very end of the game. ๐10/10 โญ
Expand the review
Such a lovely little game. It's thoughtful, fun, makes you think, and the animation and graphics were fun!
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
Play as an adorable yet trouble-making turnip. Avoid paying taxes, solve plantastic puzzles, harvest crops and battle massive beasts all in a journey to tear down a corrupt vegetable government!
Mr. Pumpkin Adventure
Mr. Pumpkin's Adventure is a point-and-click puzzle game. The main character of this game is Mr. Pumpkin who lost his memories. During the adventure, you will help him solve all the puzzles, which will eventually unveil an evil plot.
Cats and Seek: Tokyo
โค๏ธ The 4th Cats and Seek series is here! We're off to Tokyo to find cats playing all around the city ๐ผ. Can you spot them all? ๐ป
Lighthouse Keeper
You are tasked with taking care of the old Lighthouse in a small island. Repair its broken parts, hunt for food to get by, gather materials to craft stuff to help you along your journey through 11 islands.
100 hidden aliens
Hidden object game in the cosmic setting. Black and white hand-drawn graphics in a cartoon style. Game for all ages.
True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 3
True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 3 is the final chapter of the psychological thriller trilogy. With point-and-click mechanics, intricate puzzles, and cinematic cutscenes, immerse yourself in a dark horror experience that redefines the genre.
Art Reborn: Painting Connoisseur
Dear curator, you are about to embark on a journey to captivate the audience! You will be in charge of an art gallery.Impress the museum curators around the world with these masterpieces, collect badges, apply for support funds, and learn the value of art!
PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords
PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords delivers, for the first time ever, classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good vs. evil. Challenge your match 3 skills as you battle against computer opponents to save the Kingdom of Etheria from the evil Lord Bane.
Paper Bride 3 Unresolved Love
Paper Bride 3 is a Chinese horror mystery puzzle game This is the third horror puzzle game from our team. This time the story takes place in Moshui Village, which is near Zangling Village, and Fulu City, a small town nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
One Way: The Elevator is currently priced at 3.99โฌ on Steam.
One Way: The Elevator is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 3.99โฌ on Steam.
One Way: The Elevator received 383 positive votes out of a total of 411 achieving a rating of 8.61.
๐
One Way: The Elevator was developed and published by Cotton Game.
One Way: The Elevator is playable and fully supported on Windows.
One Way: The Elevator is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
One Way: The Elevator is not playable on Linux.
One Way: The Elevator is a single-player game.
One Way: The Elevator does not currently offer any DLC.
One Way: The Elevator does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
One Way: The Elevator supports Remote Play on Phone and Remote Play on Tablet. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
One Way: The Elevator is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for One Way: The Elevator.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 26 January 2026 10:29 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 22 January 2026 16:52 |
| Steam price | 29 January 2026 04:37 |
| Steam reviews | 27 January 2026 00:06 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about One Way: The Elevator, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about One Way: The Elevator
- SteamCharts - Analysis of One Way: The Elevator concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck One Way: The Elevator compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Cotton Game
Publisher
Cotton Game
Release
13 Aug 2020
Platforms
Remote Play