A Difficult Game About Climbing

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,388 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
A Difficult Game About Climbing Game Cover
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"A Difficult Game About Climbing" is a punishing but fair game where you must use your mouse or gamepad to control your climber's hands and pull yourself up an enormous mountain. Every obstacle is designed with intention and there are no distracting elements or violence. The risk of losing all progress with a single mistake adds to the challenge, making for a unique and frustratingly satisfying experience. Note from developer: This game was created by one person and is inspired by "Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy" and "Sexy Hiking by Jazzuo."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,388 reviews
gameplay62 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game is a worthy spiritual successor to 'Getting Over It', offering a satisfying climbing experience with intuitive controls.
  • The level design is creative and engaging, with a good balance of challenge and checkpoints that prevent excessive frustration.
  • Players report a rewarding learning curve, where mastering the mechanics leads to a sense of accomplishment.
  • Many players experience physical discomfort, such as hand cramps and carpal tunnel syndrome, due to the control scheme requiring constant button pressing.
  • The game features frustrating difficulty spikes, particularly in certain sections like the cave, which can lead to excessive repetition and loss of progress.
  • Some players feel the game lacks the narrative and charm of 'Getting Over It', making it feel less engaging despite its challenging gameplay.
  • gameplay164 mentions

    The gameplay is often compared to "Getting Over It," featuring a blend of challenging mechanics that require mastery and precision, but with a more forgiving design that encourages exploration and experimentation. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and satisfying movement mechanics, although some find certain elements, like the swing and grip mechanics, frustratingly difficult. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience as players learn and adapt to its unique climbing challenges, making it a compelling entry in the genre.

    • “The mechanics and gameplay made me want to come back and beat it even if I got frustrated with it.”
    • “The gameplay is perfectly balanced, combining skill-based challenges with strategic elements.”
    • “Very fun and satisfying game once you get the mechanics down.”
    • “The gameplay is an absolute disaster.”
    • “The mechanics of these jumps aren't very intuitive and you may get stuck in one place for a very long time, trying to figure out what to do or what it is that you are doing wrong.”
    • “Half of the time the grabbing mechanic just lets go when you are holding it down.”
  • graphics25 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful visuals and well-executed art style that effectively captures the intended aesthetic. However, some players report performance issues, requiring them to lower settings to avoid stuttering. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good and enhance the gameplay experience, they are not seen as the sole focus of the game.

    • “The graphics are stunning, capturing the beauty of mountain landscapes in a way that sometimes feels almost lifelike.”
    • “From the fantastic graphics, through the exciting gameplay, to the incredible atmosphere, this game has everything one could expect from an outstanding production.”
    • “Well made game, beautiful graphics and a fair failing system.”
    • “It's not that it's hard, but it doesn't save 1.8 out of 10, only for the graphics.”
    • “Also, it just doesn't run very well; I had to turn the graphics settings criminally low to get it to stop stuttering.”
    • “From the graphics to the environment.”
  • story23 mentions

    The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's story, with some players noting a complete lack of narrative or character depth, while others highlight a rich and touching plot that enhances the gameplay experience. Many feel that the absence of a compelling story detracts from the overall value of the game, despite some appreciating the unique gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's storytelling is seen as either minimal or non-existent, with few engaging elements to draw players in.

    • “The plot is rich, unpredictable, and touching.”
    • “The gameplay is very interesting, and I think nice, but one of the most important things for value in my opinion is the story.”
    • “An empowering story of a paraplegic mountain climber.”
    • “This game has no story unless you count the tutorial :)”
    • “Id say this has fine gameplay and graphics, but there's no story or narration which makes it feel less worth it.”
    • “For a tribute to getting over it, there was such a lack of character, story, and meaning to all this.”
  • music19 mentions

    The game's music aspect has received mixed reviews, with many players noting the absence of any background music or narration, which they feel detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the serene landscapes and suggest playing with external music for added enjoyment, others criticize the lack of an atmospheric soundtrack, especially in comparison to similar games that feature engaging audio elements. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit significantly from a well-composed soundtrack or commentary to enhance immersion.

    • “The serene landscapes, soothing music, and gentle gameplay mechanics create an oasis of relaxation.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly captures the atmosphere of climbing, adding even more depth to the experience.”
    • “Play this game while watching YouTube or listening to music and you will have a blast.”
    • “There also isn't any music or narration, but the game makes up for it in having great locations.”
    • “I can't fathom how the developer spent a whole year working on this and didn't think of including some sort of music and commentary in the background.”
    • “One of my biggest problems with this game is the lack of any atmospheric music or voiceover, like the getting over it.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, eliciting a wide range of feelings from players, including joy, sadness, frustration, and a sense of accomplishment. Many users report being moved to tears and experiencing intense highs and lows throughout their gameplay, highlighting the game's ability to create a deeply engaging and heartwarming narrative. Overall, it is described as a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves a lasting impression.

    • “Gamers will find themselves absorbed by the heartwarming tale of relentlessness, determination, and alas, freedom.”
    • “The plot is rich, unpredictable, and touching.”
    • “This game made me feel happy, sad, proud, and angry within the 8 hours (in-game) it took me to finish it!”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding the absurdity of the controls and the quirky commentary from the character both entertaining and engaging. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of failure and the game's unique physics, which lead to moments of laughter, often at the expense of friends' struggles. Overall, the blend of humor and challenge creates a memorable experience that encourages repeated playthroughs.

    • “5 minutes in and I can't stop laughing about the controls 5/5.”
    • “The strange way that the funny gamer man talks to you has you hooked.”
    • “The gameplay and physics are just hilarious.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable to revisit for skill improvement and challenging climbs, others feel it lacks depth and variety, leading to a shorter overall experience. Despite being a brief game, it offers enough elements to encourage some players to replay it, though it may not satisfy those seeking extensive replay value.

    • “🔲 infinitely replayable”
    • “Very replayable as well since there are just a couple really hard climbs and sections worth replaying and improving on.”
    • “I just wish the game had more replayability.”
    • “Game is short, very short, even the worst of players can beat the game in under 7 hours with enough determination, but it does have a little amount of replayability in terms of not achievements or other game modes, but testing your own skill.”
    • “Short game but damn replayable.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its visual appeal and engaging graphics, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, some reviewers feel it lacks depth due to the absence of atmospheric music and interactive elements, which could enhance immersion. Overall, while the game captures a compelling aesthetic reminiscent of similar titles, it could benefit from additional atmospheric features to elevate the experience further.

    • “The atmosphere is interesting and visually pleasing.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly captures the atmosphere of climbing, adding even more depth to the experience.”
    • “From the fantastic graphics, through the exciting gameplay, to the incredible atmosphere, this game has everything one could expect from an outstanding production.”
    • “I also personally think the dev could have added more elements to spice up the atmosphere, like the creatures in Pogostuck, NPCs in Jump King, or Bennet Foddy whispering sweet nothings in your ear in Getting Over It.”
    • “The atmosphere and aesthetic mirror Getting Over It throughout the climb, but in a more polished manner.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and physically taxing, often requiring repetitive actions that can lead to frustration and discomfort. Unlike similar games, the inconsistency in character control and reliance on luck over skill makes the grinding feel less rewarding and more exhausting. While some players still find enjoyment in the challenge, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a burdensome experience.

    • “It's a tedious, hour-long task that just has you repeating the same few jumps over and over again.”
    • “One of the reasons 'Getting Over It' was so good is that it was so difficult while remaining very fair, something you could eventually master. However, with this game, I just don't find the same thing. While tedious like 'Getting Over It', the tedium is compounded with the game being extremely inconsistent, for example: you not being able to really control your main character, with a lot of the player's main input being influenced by momentum and physics that seem to take priority over your keyboard input.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization is mixed; while some users report no performance issues and commend its impressive use of the medium, others experience significant stuttering unless graphics settings are drastically lowered. Additionally, climbing mechanics are better optimized for controllers than for mouse and keyboard setups.

    • “This thrilling game delivers jaw-dropping performance that properly utilizes the medium.”
    • “No performance issues.”
    • “Also, it just doesn't run very well; I had to turn the graphics settings criminally low to get it to stop stuttering.”
    • “Climbing is optimized for controller, but not for mouse and keyboard.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, leading to disappointment among users who feel they wasted their money on a low-quality product.

    • “Last time I buy a cash grab indie game.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, players report a stable experience with no glitches during gameplay, highlighting that the game successfully delivers on its marketing promises and embodies the qualities expected of a "foddian" game.

    • “Fun, no glitches in my playthrough; it embodies every aspect of a 'foddian' game and achieved everything it was marketed to be and more.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
76hAverage play time
4-35hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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