Become the best acrobat around

Pro Gymnast is a simulation video game wherein you can live your dream of becoming a prominent acrobat. Developed by Walaber Entertainment LLC, this 2.5D sports game features physics-based gameplay that stays true to the art and science of gymnastics. 

Similar to Happy Wheels, Pro Gymnast limits your character’s movement and so you’ll mostly be traversing the level via a series of bars, swings, slides, and other obstacle course material that’s reminiscent of the American Ninja Warrior competition. It’s surprisingly full of customizable content but the gameplay is quite challenging. Fortunately, you can easily test the free demo.

Not just fun and games here

In Pro Gymnast, you can play as a customizable aspiring acrobat who aims to compete in various gymnastic challenges and racecourses. These challenges consist of you going through traditional gymnastic forms, parkour skills, and acrobatic movements—with varying win conditions and goals to complete the levels. The game plays out in a slight side-scroller view with its 2.5D graphics so your path is mostly linear.

Thus, the only thing to worry about is timing and momentum, which the game uses to great comedic effect. Like Ski Stunt Simulator, QWOP, and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, this sports simulator locks your character’s full-body movement and you can only control their shoulders and hips to swing their arms and legs. You have to rely on physics to carry you through each jump and flip. 

This is what makes the game so difficult—aside from the fact that using a keyboard isn’t recommended and it’s better to use a controller. It does invite you to create your own challenges with its level editor and see how you fare using its replay video exporter. However, it doesn’t really motivate you to aim for the best score possible and so it loses any replay value for the levels. 

Difficult to master

All in all, Pro Gymnast looks silly but it doesn’t joke around with its learning curve. Even with a controller, it’s not easy to complete—and there’s not much incentive to beat your highest score. Nevertheless, the physics here is fairly believable and the inclusion of an in-depth character creator and level editor still makes this game a fun one for those who like this subgenre.