Rock-climbing Game ‘Jusant’ Launches to Strong Reviews
A day one launch on Game Pass, the rock-climbing game that caught more than a few eyes at this year’s Xbox showcase, Jusant, has received strong initial reviews. Having launched on October 31st, the game is currently sitting at a favorable 83 score on Opencritic, with 90% of reviewers recommending the game. This is a strong starting impression, especially considering how big of a departure this game is from developer DON’T NOD’s previous work on the Life is Strange series.
Image by DON’T NOD
This looks to be another recent win for Game Pass, which is riding high on the success of Starfield and recent gets like Dead Space and Frog Detective: The Complete Story. Jusant is a little different from those games in that it focuses all of its attention on one gameplay loop: climbing. Set in a world without water, you have to solve puzzles and climb an insurmountable tower to reach the top and find answers. A subtle story, but one that is compelling according to most critics. Considering how many people praised Breath of the Wild’s stamina-based climbing system, seeing a whole game that fleshes this out is fantastic.
Image by DON’T NOD
Turning to critic scores, VG247 was clearly very impressed with their 5-star review, complementing the quiet, reflective story and pure fun gameplay of the climb:
“A way up, in this case. Jusant is another banger in a year of endless bangers, as notable for everything it isn’t as much as what it is: a meditative, evocative odyssey up a big tower, with plenty of time to reflect and ponder deftly weaved through the experience by master storytellers who want you to feel every pore of the rock as you ascend, and every ache of the heart that its residents left behind.”
Similarly, GamingTrend loved the game with their 9/10 review, in which they praised the flow of the game and its ability to tell a unique story without barraging the player with cutscenes:
“Jusant may seem like a game about just scaling a tower, but the calmness of the climb manifests itself in a way that feels peaceful in the ascension. Movement is focused and deliberate without feeling clunky, and the involvement of the terrain is wonderful. The breezy cliff sides and beautiful landscapes make for a short and sweet experience that anyone can appreciate.”
Image by DON’T NOD
So, if you’re looking for a surprisingly deep game about climbing against impossible odds (sort of like ‘Celeste’), Jusant is worth checking out according to critics. With beautiful visuals, subtle storytelling, and a strong gameplay rhythm, this 5–6-hour experience is a must-play. This is especially true considering the game came out on day one on Game Pass- meaning you can play it right now on console or PC if you have the service (and you definitely should).
