Last updated on December 13th, 2025 at 03:54 pm
Swimming Upstream – Action Game Review
Swimming Upstream is a Action/Adventure game from BR Game Development LLC, first launched in 21st June 2020.
It’s rated 4+ and currently has 38+ ratings on the App Store.
What Makes Swimming Upstream Stand Out
Take control of your daring little turtle and embark on an exhilarating journey upstream! Dodge treacherous rocks, swift fish, and drifting debris as you navigate through ever-changing environments. The power to go the distance is in your hands.
Key Features:
Thrilling Gameplay – Test your reflexes as you swim against the current in a challenging yet addictive adventure.
Gold Rush – Collect gold coins to unlock new characters.
Stay Strong – Snag lily pads to restore your energy and keep your journey going.
Explore Stunning Biomes – Glide through serene beaches, lush oak forests, and dramatic canyons, each packed with surprises.
Compete & Conquer – Climb the Game Center leaderboard and see how your skills measure up against friends or players worldwide!
Do you have what it takes to conquer the current? Download Swimming Upstream now and prove you’re the ultimate upstream adventurer!
This Action game offers engaging gameplay and regular updates for mobile players.
Player Feedback
As a newer release, Swimming Upstream is building its player community. Early feedback suggests .
Recent Updates & Development
Latest Update: 1st December 2024
Recent improvements include:
New Biome:
- Added Jungle themed biome
- Contains all new rocks, junk, and fish
Features:
- Hundreds of combinations of gold rush
- Moving cars on the bridges
- Sail boats in Sandy Shores biome
Changes:
- New images in the choose a biome screen
- Rocks no longer spawn under bridges
- Gold and leafy greens no longer travel through other objects
- Improved particles on shiny leafy green
- Added sound for eating shiny leafy greens
- Improved the colliders on many of the rocks
- Shield amount is now shown next to the strength amount
- Buttons no longer show when selecting the Share button
- Increased the size of the oak and pine trees
- Added people to raft
- Removed loading screen
- Removed piers
Balance Changes:
- Extra Lives cost increased from 125 Gold to 200 Gold
- Increased the speed of the game by 10%
- Increased the rate that bridges appear
Bug fixes:
- The press special ability highlight now comes back after pausing
- Game no longer pauses when connecting to game center
- Fixed buttons showing up immediately when you die with a maxed character class
- Fixed updating issue with furthest distance in the choose a biome screen
Download & Availability
Swimming Upstream is available through the official App Store for iOS devices.
Get Swimming Upstream on App Store
Requirements: Requires iPhone 5s / iPad Air / iPad Air (Cellular) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina) / iPad Mini 2 (Retina, Cellular) / iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus / iPad Air 2 / iPad Air 2 (Cellular) / iPad Mini 3 or later.
Compatible with iPhone and iPad devices.
Player Experience Highlights
Community Insight:
The new biome – the Giant Jungle is a great addition to the game. The background scenery and game objects are the developers best yet. Continuing improvements to gameplay and game objects like sailboats and cars show just how far this game has gone since its initial release.
Prepare to be swept away by the enchanting world of 'Swimming Upstream '! This charming indie mobile game offers a delightful twist on the classic endless runner genre. Set in the serene waters of a picturesque river, you guide a courageous turtle on an epic upstream journey filled with obstacles and surprises. The gameplay is equally captivating. With simple yet addictive controls, you'll find yourself effortlessly maneuvering your turtle past obstacles, collecting treasures, and even encountering friendly aquatic creatures along the way. Each new section of the river brings fresh challenges and opportunities, keeping you engaged and eager to see what lies ahead.
A game like this should be in portrait view.
Very wholesome and entertaining also aesthetically appealing visuals.
This game is actually addictive and the water animation blows us away. CGI has gone so far these days.
Good graphics and is very fun to play, pass time.
The best and most amazing game on the world that is free it seems endless our only suggestion is for there to be non endless levels and have a mode called endless mode.
User feedback from Apple App Store
App Details
- Version: 4.3
- Size: 376.47 MB
- iOS: 9.0 or later
- Languages: EN
- Content Advisory:
- Developer: BR Game Development LLC
Last updated: 1st December 2024 | Genre: Action, Adventure | Developer: BR Game Development LLC