How do I complete the game Upcreek?

You complete the game by gathering all 100 pieces of trash located throughout the park. You can check your progress by pausing the game.

Can I pick up multiple trash items at once in Upcreek?

Yes, you can grab more than one item at a time. To grab five or more, grab one item, then point at another; when the 'Grab' prompt appears, continue collecting items.

What happens if I throw trash or rocks into the river?

Neither trash nor rocks will sink in the river. Trash will continuously jump up and down, allowing you to grab it mid-air.

How do I knock trash off the tree without grabbing it?

You need to use another piece of trash or a rock to hit the trash items on the tree branches until they fall down. Throwing a rock straight up can also cause it to dislodge trash upon falling.

How long does it take to beat Upcreek?

The game is quite short, and most players can complete it in about half an hour or so, though experimenting can extend playtime.

Main Content

Game Overview

Upcreek is a free, single-player game available on Steam, described as a calming and quirky experience centered around picking up trash. It was originally developed for a Game Jam and later made available for free, offering Steam Achievements and Family Sharing features. The game is relatively short, with most players able to complete it in about half an hour, though some may spend more time experimenting. The primary objective is to gather all 100 pieces of trash scattered around the park to complete the game.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Picking Up Trash: The fundamental mechanic involves collecting trash items. Players can grab more than one item at once, and even grab up to five or more items simultaneously. To do this, grab one piece of trash, then point at another; when the prompt changes to 'Grab,' continue grabbing items until you have picked up five. Trash Disposal: Instead of just dragging trash, you can practice your aim by throwing trash into the trash can from a distance for a 'Hoop Shot'. River Interactions: If you throw trash into the river, it won't sink. It will continuously jump up and down, allowing you to grab it mid-air for a 'Trash at Catch' trick. Similarly, rocks thrown into the water also won't sink.

Achievement-Based Tricks

The game's 10 achievements double as a guide to discovering various interactive elements and 'secrets' within Upcreek. All achievements can be unlocked in a single playthrough.

Is this an exploit?: Grab more than one item at once.

Catamarr-y: Grab five or more items at once by repeatedly grabbing additional items after the first.

Hoop Shot: Throw trash into the trash can instead of dragging it.

Trash at catch: Throw trash into the river and grab it mid-air as it bounces.

How Rude: Wake up a sleeping rock by simply picking one up.

Dizzy Rock: Make a rock dizzy by standing next to it and pushing it to make it roll for a bit.

Sinker? I barely knew her: Throw a rock into the water.

Cleaned the River: To get to the other side of the river, throw a rock at the large tree trunk next to it. Once across, find a large boulder and push it over.

Bullseye: On the other side of the river, there's a larger tree with two trash items on its branches. Do not grab them directly. Instead, pick up a nearby piece of trash or a rock and throw it at the trash on the branches until they fall down. Throwing a rock directly skyward can also work, as its free-falling motion can dislodge the trash.

The World is Watching: Complete the game by gathering all 100 pieces of trash around the park. You can pause the game to check your progress. After collecting a certain amount, leaves may guide you to the remaining trash.

Completion and Speedrunning

To complete Upcreek, players must collect all 100 pieces of trash in the park. The game is designed to be short, making it suitable for speedrunning. Utilizing tricks like grabbing multiple items at once and efficient movement can help in achieving faster completion times.

Upcreek: Comprehensive Tips and Tricks Guide

Quick Summary