As an avid fan of frustratingly difficult games like Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy, I was surprised to have missed out on A Difficult Game About Climbing. This game offers a unique take on the climbing genre, requiring players to use their arms independently to grip and hoist themselves up. Despite its clear inspiration from Getting Over It, A Difficult Game About Climbing presents a fresh challenge that is both frustrating and addictive, much like a scab that you can’t resist picking at.
Having only spent about 30 minutes playing A Difficult Game About Climbing, I find myself at the very beginning of what promises to be a grueling journey. A single misstep or failed leap sends your climber all the way back to the start, testing your patience and perseverance. However, what keeps me coming back for more after each failure is the sheer satisfaction of using the controller triggers to independently control each arm. This mechanic adds a level of complexity and precision that is both challenging and rewarding, reminiscent of games like Jusant.
Despite its punishing difficulty, A Difficult Game About Climbing offers a sense of tangible progress with each attempted climb. As you repeat segments of the climb, you begin to develop strategies and techniques that make the journey a bit easier each time. This incremental progress, visible even within a few minutes of gameplay, makes the game incredibly engaging and addictive. While mastery is the ultimate goal, the sense of accomplishment in overcoming obstacles keeps players coming back for more.
One may argue that A Difficult Game About Climbing is too similar to its inspiration, Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy. However, the developer’s acknowledgment of this influence and intention to contribute to a new genre of challenging games is noteworthy. By recognizing the inspiration behind the game and striving to create a unique experience within the genre, A Difficult Game About Climbing manages to carve out its own identity while paying homage to its predecessors.
While A Difficult Game About Climbing may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, it successfully creates an immersive and challenging experience for players seeking a test of skill and patience. With its independent arm mechanics, punishing gameplay, and incremental progress system, the game offers a fresh take on the climbing genre. Available on Steam for a reasonable price, this game is a must-try for fans of challenging and addictive gameplay experiences.