Jusant Review – Reaching The Summit

Jusant only asks that players do one thing: Climb. Silent mountaineer with a cute animal, you are on a quest to solve a mystery. But a tall mountain stands in your way. It’s a treacherous journey, but the ingenious system of climbing, the beautiful art direction and the intriguing world building make it worth it. 

Intuitive climbing mechanics is the highlight of this game. You can use the left or right shoulder button to grab the handholds of the climber with their respective hands while using the leftstick. This rhythmic back and forth of pressing both buttons in order to raise yourself from precarious terrain is realistic, but not cumbersome. Gripping drains a stamina meter, and though managing this isn’t often difficult, it does add a nice element of thoughtfulness and tension to the ascent. The character can get stuck in even small rubble pieces, which results in the player having to jump and spin awkwardly. 

The only thing you have is a retractable rope which anchors you automatically to the wall. This means you will never die from falling (or in any other way). While this contributes to the game’s relaxed, meditative atmosphere, that doesn’t mean failure isn’t a factor. You can end up having to re-climb long stretches if you slip. As you climb, stake up to three pintons. This will extend your reach and create makeshift checkpoints. I love the strategy of managing the placement of my pitons, as it gave me creative agency in how I navigated tricky sections – namely walls lacking handholds – while ensuring any lost progress was entirely my fault due to bad or infrequent piton staking. It is also possible to perform fun tricks like wall-running or swinging over gaps. 

Ballast, the climber’s cute, water-like pet, offers another helping hand. By pressing a button, it releases a pulse which transforms the organic elements. For example, giant flower bulbs can sprout buds that allow them to be climbed or vines will grow quickly and you’ll get a ride. There’s only a small handful of these tricks, but they complement traditional climbing while adding an entertaining layer of whimsy.  

The right mechanics will make climbing feel challenging. It takes a combination of coordination and physical strength to scale the mountain. The satisfaction of looking down at the section that I have just finished before taking a look up to the challenges ahead is both daunting and satisfying. Climbing in games is often shades of being either mind-numbingly simplistic or painfully tedious. Jusant is a fantastic game. The great controls made me confident and eager to tackle the well-crafted, puzzle-like climbing routes and obstacles. 

Developer Don’t Nod does a great job of mixing up Jusant’s premise by introducing new environmental or platforming challenges in each of the game’s six chapters. In one section, you must ride powerful winds to reach distant platforms. The player can be carried along by rock-like bugs that act as handholds. Just make sure to watch their path and correct them if necessary. In one of my favourite areas, you can scale massive stalactites and swing over them in a bioilluminated giant cave. Jusant is a short film (about 6 hours) but remains engaging and fresh throughout. 

Jusant’s picturesque scenery looks fantastic. In a land that is largely devoid of any water, this mountain sits on a vast, dried-up seabed. The only evidence that the ocean once existed is the dehydrated coral and fossilized shells. Shipwrecked ships, abandoned settlements and even shipwrecked boats are all there to remind you of it. Although it is technically a world that has fallen into ruin, the vibrant colors, sharp design, and great lighting make this a fun place to visit. 

These diaries, which can be long but are fascinating to read, tell how the tragedy happened and the suffering of those who were there. Whether it was the story of a young woman eagerly abandoning her home life to embark on an expedition to the summit or the day-to-day musings of folks who can’t fathom living on a horizontal plane, these logs are enjoyable and worthwhile reads that provide vital context to the world and your quest.

There are many paths within and around the mountain that hides various interactive and collectible artifacts. These include wall paintings that tell a great legend, and seashells which provide only audio flashbacks to this ancient civilization. I tried to collect as many as possible and the game kept track of all my finds. It’s easy to go back and look for items you missed. Even if you can’t collect it, I was happy to find new rooms, stores, and other infrastructure to get a better idea of these people’s way of life. 

Jusant is my favorite Don’t Nod title since the original Life is Strange and is one of the year’s best gems. Other games should take note. The climbing mechanics in Jusant are brilliant and executed well. Add an inviting presentation, a pleasant soundtrack, and an alluring air of mystery and isolation reminiscent of Team Ico’s best works, and Jusant is a rewarding expedition.