You Have To Climb Out
- July 15, 2024
- Matt Goode
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"You Have To Climb Out" is a short puzzle narrative game where you play as a frog stuck in a cave system under the beach. Your goal is to climb out by solving a series of puzzles that involve block placement and light platforming. Along the way, discover mysterious notes and uncover the secrets of the cave's existence.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming story that is elegantly told and emotionally impactful, making it more than just a simple puzzle game.
- The puzzles are well-designed with a good difficulty progression, providing satisfying 'aha!' moments without becoming overly frustrating.
- The music is exceptional, enhancing the overall experience with its quality and mood, reminiscent of other acclaimed soundtracks.
- The game is quite short, which may leave some players wanting more content and additional levels.
- There are minimal quality of life features, such as no options for changing resolution or speeding up dialogue, which can detract from the experience.
- Some players found the mechanics underexplored, with certain techniques not being utilized in the puzzles, leading to a feeling of missed potential.
- music32 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its high quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its engaging and cozy vibe reminiscent of notable soundtracks like Lena Raine's work in Celeste. Players appreciate the adaptive nature of the music, describing it as a "banger" that complements the gameplay and puzzles effectively, although some suggest that more variety in tracks could reduce repetition. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
“Puzzling as a frog while vibing to some good music was a very cozy way to spend my morning.”
“The music is so good!!!”
“Very few games of this scale have adaptive music, not to mention of this high quality.”
“Lasting around an hour, the experience is very engaging and the consistency of the tone, design, and music really come together to conjure up a little treat of a game.”
“The soundtrack is also a huge vibe.”
- story20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its brevity and depth, often described as a charming short narrative that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the intriguing twists and emotional impact, with the storyline effectively motivating them to engage with the puzzles. Overall, the combination of a cute premise and a well-crafted narrative contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The story is what got me.”
“A great puzzle platformer, nice and short (unless the puzzles get you like they did me), and the story (of a frog in shorts who wants to go to the beach) hit me harder than I expected.”
“The mechanics are nothing new to a seasoned gamer, but I promise you'll find a short, relatable story and develop an appreciation for what goes into working on a passion project - no matter how small.”
“The story gets deeper than you might expect!”
“The story keeps you wondering.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around simple block-picking and placing mechanics that are well-executed and evolve throughout the game, providing a satisfying puzzle experience despite its brevity. While the mechanics may not be groundbreaking for seasoned players, the level design, cute visuals, and engaging story enhance the overall enjoyment. Players appreciate the game's charm and depth, making it a worthwhile experience for its short duration.
“The gameplay, centered around picking up and placing blocks, works very well.”
“There are a good number of mechanics for the hour it'll take you, and they evolve and are recontextualized in ways that you'd want from a puzzler.”
“Fun 2D puzzle platformer that uses simple mechanics and relies on the level design to add puzzle depth.”
“My only critique is that it doesn't seem to explore its own mechanics all the way through.”
“The mechanics are nothing new to a seasoned gamer, but I promise you'll find a short, relatable story and develop an appreciation for what goes into working on a passion project - no matter how small.”
“A short puzzle game with simple mechanics.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players are surprisingly moved by the emotional depth of the game, with many expressing that it evoked strong feelings, including tears, particularly during the ending. The heartfelt narrative surrounding a seemingly lighthearted character, a frog in swim trunks, resonates deeply, earning high praise for its emotional impact.
“I can't believe this game about a frog in swim trunks made me cry.”
“The ending made me emotional.”
“10/10, it made me cry.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by charming pixel art that enhances the overall aesthetic of the game, complemented by a captivating soundtrack. While the visuals and mechanics are described as simple, they effectively support an engaging story and intriguing puzzle gameplay. Overall, the combination of cute visuals and quality music contributes positively to the gaming experience.
“Gorgeous pixel graphics, straightforward, intriguing puzzle gameplay, and an interesting story to boot.”
“Cute visuals, great music, and a good exploration of the mechanics.”
“Good pixel graphics, some nice music.”
“The graphics are very basic and lack detail, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The visuals feel outdated and do not match the quality of modern games.”
“The art style is unappealing and fails to create an immersive environment.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is enhanced by great music that effectively immerses players, though some users feel that longer loops or a greater variety of tracks would reduce repetition and further enrich the experience.
“The music is great and really helps drive the atmosphere home, but it could use longer loops or more tracks to reduce repetition.”
