Travel around The Great Gales to climb challenging peaks in this physics-based climbing adventure set in 1887. Meet like-minded mountaineers, unlock helpful climbing gear, and become a pioneer of mountaineering.
The game's climbing mechanics are both intuitive and demanding. Players control the character's long, articulated arms to grasp onto various rock holds throughout the environments. Swinging between these holds requires careful timing and coordination - letting go at the wrong moment can send the player plummeting down the mountainside. However, the mechanics feel responsive and the controls are well-designed, allowing players to pull off impressive, fluid movements once they master the system.
The game eases players into its challenges, starting with gentle tutorial-like peaks and boulders. As you progress, the mountains become increasingly perilous, introducing new obstacles like treacherous overhangs, falling rocks, and timed handholds. This difficulty curve never feels unfairly difficult, however. Each new challenge can be overcome through skill and perseverance, providing a constant sense of progression and mastery.
To aid in the demanding climbs, players can unlock a variety of helpful tools and equipment, such as ropes that can be placed as anchors to catch falls, and chalk bags to improve grip. These items are permanent unlocks, adding an extra layer of strategy as you decide when and where to use your limited supplies for maximum effect.
In addition to the main climbing objectives, the game hides collectible items throughout the environments, incentivizing thorough exploration of each mountain. Seeking out these trinkets and special climbing tools adds an extra dimension of replayability, as you search for alternate routes and hidden paths.