Tether
What is TetherTether is an abstract arcade platformer about elastic connections and arcing flights. Attach your tether, then swing into the beyond. You can enjoy Tether as a relaxing meditation, or up the tension with arcade modes.Features
- Infinite worlds to swing through
- 4 different arcade modes
- Original music to swing to
- Global leaderboards
- 20 Achievements
- Dark mode for night time swinging
Zen ModeFind your flow in Zen mode as you freely explore a world of graceful momentum and arcing orbits.
Or up the tension with…Arcade ModeTether has 4 different arcade modes to compete in for high scores:
- Free
Score points based on your speed and direction. Speedy upward motion gets the most points, while staying still or falling gets the least. Avoid colliding with blocks for as long as you can.
- Timed
Like free mode, but with a 2 minute time limit,
- Pursuit
Score by evading an inexorable pursuer for as long as possible. In this mode you can smash into blocks at will. If you are going fast enough, you’ll break them apart enabling you to escape more easily.
- Daily Race
Race to the finish. Score by getting to the objective as fast as possible. The generated world for this mode is changed every day and the leaderboard is reset daily as well.
How to SwingI’m sure you mean… ahem… swinging is a different thing.How to play TetherTether is simple to learn, but hard to master.
Left click to tether to a block
Left click while tethered to a block to retract your tether
Right click while tethered to a block to let go
CreditsCreated by Amar Kinstan
Music by Jonathan Oakley
Additional coding by Mathew Rundle
Game Discussion
Steam User 6
This game just keeps pulling you back in. Literally. I tried to leave the room to pee only to be physically drawn back in. HELP! I am trapped, tethered to my computer!
Edit: UPDATE: I have had to change my entire life to accommodate my tether dependency. I recommend the wheeled office desk Guuterslaagen from IKEA so you can take tether with you everywhere.
Edit: UPDATE: Also recommend extension cords from Bunnings.
Edit: UPDATE: I FIGURED IT OUT! If you leave a 5 star review a real life feature unlocks that lets you un-tether from your computer. Would recommend.
Great game 5 stars.
Steam User 4
Why should games require so much brain power? Tether is one of those few games that's for just zoning out, listening to audiobooks, and playing with physics in a stress-free environment. Want to just experience the simplicity of flight and gravity? Or do you want to be chased relentlessly by an abstract white orb until you're traumatised? Tether has both and everything in between with its assortment of gamemodes. Sometimes your mind needs a break and Tether is fantastic for just that. When I got tired of bouncing off the procedurally-generated shapes, I hoped there would be a mode that let me smash through things and to my surprise, there was! The physics in the game are quite fun, but sometimes feel a little heavy. The music is so lovely, along with the daily races and challenges. Tether is very accommodating to an assortment of players, whether it's high score chasers or people who just want to chill. It also features a dark mode for night owls like me. I think it sometimes should give a little bit more control to the player for precise aerial movement, but otherwise the controls are stupid-easy. I would say that a mac-version would also be nice. Other than that, Tether is a very solid and simple game that anyone can play! I try to find under the radar games and Tether certainly fits that bill. It's cheap and you'll be supporting obscure and quality indie game development!
Steam User 4
Whether you tether the aether like a feather or a... piece of leather...
or... umm...
together..
it's... aaah...
Its a really good game
Steam User 2
It takes a little while to learn how the elastic string reacts. Very satisfying when you start swinging with style :)
Steam User 1
Calming, sometimes trance-inducing, then, sometimes hectic, and... exciting! lol :)
Pulling my tether sometimes seems bugged though :( - I'm only thinking it's a bug due to the "Hold Down To Pull Tether In" caption seeming to suggest that it should always be possible to pull in your tether?
Steam User 0
Tether is a special game. It does everything it aims to do just right.
Tether's world, despite being an endless 2D expanse of simple polygons, feels so alive. The music breathes in and out depending on your speed, sometimes transitioning to a new song altogether. The polygons slowly shift hue as you slingshot yourself between, around, or onto them. The ghost of your journey comes in and out of view as you careen through places already touched by your presence. Not every game can make a world so simple feel like it has a pulse.
If you enjoy the classic zen flying game Superflight, Tether is for you. It's a steal for its $2.99 price tag.
Steam User 1
Swinging is great exercise. One minute I'm getting my steady-state cardio by gracefully yeeting myself through the air, cruising along to the lovely unique soundtrack while swooping in and out between blocks, and the next minute I'm getting a heart-pounding HIIT workout while pumping those high scores in the various arcade modes.
Tether is short to learn, long to master, and it comfortably cradles you for minutes or hours at a time depending on what you're after. It's excellent value, and much cheaper and safer than bungee jumping.