One of my significant gripes with Uncharted 4 was the frequent climbing sequences involving Nathan Drake, the international thief and treasure hunter. These climbing “puzzles” were often uninspiring and lacked the desired level of challenge.
While some players may have had a different perspective, I found the climbing in Uncharted 4 to become tedious over time. It seemed that the game’s strengths lay elsewhere, primarily in its captivating storytelling, well-developed characters, and the overall sense of adventure. The puzzles in Uncharted felt like uninteresting obstacles, and the climbing aspect grew monotonous quickly.
If only Uncharted had incorporated climbing mechanics as engaging as those in Jusant. This upcoming platformer from the French video game developer DON’T NOD features some of the most compelling rock-climbing mechanics I’ve encountered in a video game. It’s important to note that Jusant targets a different audience than Naughty Dog’s more action-oriented games. Jusant is not about combat, shooting, or high-speed chases. It doesn’t focus on character development either, at least not in the few hours I spent with the game’s entirely silent protagonist. Jusant is a solitary and contemplative experience.
The world of Jusant is remarkably serene and tranquil, with a sense of stillness permeating the landscape. The enigmatic monolith you ascend once lay submerged underwater, and remnants of its watery past are scattered throughout. However, like the ocean, the human presence that once thrived here has disappeared, leaving only traces of a bygone civilization in abandoned rooms, notes, and diaries.
Jusant combines platform puzzles with a sense of mystery. It’s a “chill” game where you can savor the scenery, solve climbing puzzles, and progress at your own pace, even though you may encounter setbacks and frustrations along the way. Your unconventional hero will climb, swing, and clamber, gradually unveiling the secrets of this now arid and uninhabited world.
Early in the game, you’ll encounter a companion named Ballast, a peculiar spirit composed of the rare element: water. Ballast will open up new pathways, activating desert flora to create footholds where none existed before. (In a ship, ballast is a section at the bottom filled with water to maintain balance.)
Beyond its immersive world, what truly sets Jusant apart is its meticulously detailed climbing mechanics. Climbing requires using the left and right triggers to grasp and release handholds. You are fully equipped with mountaineering gear, and before each climb, you secure a rope to an anchor. You can even add new anchor points during your ascent, which can be essential for changing direction, swinging on a rope, or rappelling in a different direction.
A stamina bar slowly depletes as you scale surfaces, but replenishing it is as simple as taking a breather—once again emphasizing the relaxed nature of the game. While there are puzzles and challenges that require thought, Jusant is not overly punishing.
The combination of its immersive atmosphere—a captivating blend of ancient maritime ruins and desert terrain—and its precise climbing mechanics make Jusant one of the most atmospheric platformers in recent memory. The secret paths you can uncover while deciphering clues in the desert add layers of mystery to the experience.
Jusant exudes a haunting minimalism, hinting at a world ravaged by a catastrophic climate event. It’s both beautiful and serene, yet it carries a somber undertone, making it one of the most striking games I’ve played this year.
Jusant is set to release this Halloween on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, where it will be available on day one with Game Pass. I highly recommend embarking on this climbing adventure.
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