A Difficult Game About Climbing
- March 6, 2024
- Pontypants
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"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
Reviews
- The game offers a satisfying climbing experience with intuitive controls that become rewarding as you master them.
- It features a well-designed difficulty curve, with checkpoints that make it less punishing than similar games.
- Players report a strong sense of accomplishment upon completing challenging sections, making it a compelling experience.
- Many players experience physical discomfort, such as hand cramps and carpal tunnel syndrome, due to the control scheme.
- The game can feel frustratingly difficult at times, particularly in certain sections that require precise jumps.
- Some players feel that the game lacks the engaging narrative and commentary found in 'Getting Over It', making it feel less immersive.
- gameplay187 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a challenging yet rewarding experience that requires players to master various mechanics, particularly climbing and swinging, which can be frustrating at first but ultimately satisfying as skills improve. While some players find the controls intuitive and the level design engaging, others criticize the unpredictability of certain mechanics and the potential for luck-based failures. Overall, the game is seen as a spiritual successor to "Getting Over It," offering a unique blend of difficulty and fun, though opinions vary on its execution and balance.
“The unique mechanics being added as you progress kept the gameplay feeling novel without being overwhelming.”
“Very fun and satisfying game once you get the mechanics down.”
“The gameplay is perfectly balanced, combining skill-based challenges with strategic elements.”
“This game will give you PTSD and make you age 15+ years in the span of 15 minutes of gameplay.”
“The gameplay is an absolute disaster.”
“My main problem with it is throwing yourself is really hard and I mean it feels impossibly hard which is bad since it's a main mechanic.”
- graphics33 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and stunning visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the surrealistic design and distinct environments, others note performance issues that require lowering settings to avoid stuttering. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good, contributing positively to the game's appeal despite some technical drawbacks.
“Right off the bat, the graphics are distinct in that the aesthetics behind all of these seemingly random props and landscapes seen in the distance are an intentional choice by the developer to give a form of 'surrealism' to your adventure upwards. Each area has a notable feeling, making it unique and fun to explore, even considering the harsh reality of the challenging climb ahead.”
“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.”
“It just doesn't run very well; I had to turn the graphics settings criminally low to get it to stop stuttering.”
“I'd say this has fine gameplay and graphics, but there's no story or narration, which makes it feel less worth it.”
“Graphics don't matter in this game.”
- story26 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The reviews for the game's story are highly mixed, with many players noting a lack of narrative depth and character development, often describing it as non-existent or minimal. Some appreciate the emotional and unpredictable elements of certain games, while others feel that the gameplay's focus on mechanics overshadows any potential storytelling. Overall, the consensus suggests that while some games may have a touching or empowering narrative, many others fail to deliver a compelling story, leaving players wanting more.
“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 story.”
“You look back in the end and realize it's not the destination, but the story of how you got there that really matters.”
“This game has no story unless you count the tutorial :)”
“I'd 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.”
- emotional23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from frustration and anger to joy and accomplishment, often leading players to tears. Many reviewers describe their experiences as deeply impactful, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses, including feelings of inferiority, determination, and heartwarming moments. Overall, players find themselves on a rollercoaster of emotions, making the journey both challenging and memorable.
“I cried after 10 minutes.”
“This game made me feel happy, sad, proud, and angry within the 8 hours (in-game) it took me to finish it!”
“Gamers will find themselves absorbed by the heartwarming tale of relentlessness, determination, and alas, freedom.”
- music21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting the absence of a soundtrack or narration, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the serene landscapes and suggest playing with external music for a better atmosphere, others criticize the lack of any audio elements, comparing it unfavorably to similar games that feature engaging soundtracks and commentary. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit significantly from a more dynamic musical accompaniment.
“The serene landscapes, soothing music, and gentle gameplay mechanics create an oasis of relaxation.”
“Play this game while watching YouTube or listening to music, and you will have a blast.”
“The soundtrack perfectly captures the atmosphere of climbing, adding even more depth to the experience.”
“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 'Getting Over It'.”
- humor17 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players finding the quirky controls and absurd scenarios consistently amusing. The commentary from the "funny gamer man" adds to the charm, making even frustrating moments entertaining. Overall, the blend of humor and challenge creates a unique experience that keeps players engaged and laughing throughout.
“Also, I find it hilarious that the user-defined tags are difficult, precision platformer, and psychological horror.”
“5 minutes in and I can't stop laughing about the controls 5/5.”
“The gameplay and physics are just hilarious.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring excessive repetition of the same tasks, which can lead to physical discomfort. While some acknowledge the challenge as part of the experience, many feel that the inconsistency in controls and mechanics detracts from the enjoyment, making the grinding feel less rewarding compared to other games in the genre. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant hurdle that can overshadow the fun elements of gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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 difficult while remaining 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.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative 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 of 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.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is visually appealing and reminiscent of Bennett Foddy's "Getting Over It," featuring distinct areas and recognizable landmarks that enhance the climbing experience. However, some reviewers feel it lacks the depth provided by atmospheric music and NPC interactions, which could elevate the overall immersion. Despite these critiques, the game's graphics and aesthetic contribute to a polished and engaging environment.
“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 things to spice up the atmosphere, like the creatures in Pogostuck, NPCs in Jump King, or Bennett 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.”
“Those of us who are familiar with challenging games in general will already compare this to an older game from back in 2017 by a man known as Bennett Foddy, his game being the iconic 'Getting Over It', which should bring back memories of Diogenes and his iron pot trying to navigate his way across the bizarre lands of all manners of props using just a Yosemite hammer as the style of graphics aren't just similar due to how each area has its own recognizable landmarks from how it portrays each of them as an obstacle to be climbed over but the very engine that game uses, Unity, is the same one that a difficult game about climbing utilizes too, resulting in the same colored atmosphere that changes as you progress higher and higher, giving each area a further distinct feeling.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report no performance issues and commend its impressive utilization of the medium, others experience significant stuttering unless graphics settings are drastically lowered. Additionally, climbing mechanics are better optimized for controller use than for mouse and keyboard.
“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.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for relying heavily on microtransactions, leading some players to label it a "cash grab" and express dissatisfaction with the overall value.
“This game feels like it was funded by microtransactions.”
“Last time I buy a cash grab indie game.”
- stability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with users reporting minimal to no glitches or crashes during gameplay. Many players have experienced a smooth and enjoyable experience, aligning with the game's marketing promises.
“Fun, no glitches in my playthrough; it embodies every aspect of a 'foddian' game and achieved everything it was marketed to be and more.”
“The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that make it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced frequent crashes that ruined my gaming sessions.”
“The stability issues are so severe that I can't recommend this game to anyone.”
