This game hits the right notes and pulls the right strings, even if you have to use your left hand to get a bit closer to reach the top of the tower.
Jusant enables you to climb. Climb like, we always dreamt to be able to climb in a video game without being a 1:1 climbing simulator. The mechanic is the hook, the safety rope, we tie to the wall and never fall. You can actually never fall nor die in Jusant, you are always safe, even if you are running out of stamina or being unable to hold tight. But this decision - for me - is a good one, as Jusant does not want to be a challenging or potentially frustrating game. It embraces a dynamic and flow-focused approach, which simply works.
The story and agency in this game derivers from the quest to find the missing water. The pillar-like structure, called The Tower, experienced a devastating drought, which lead to its full abandonment. On our journey upwards, we either find notes of former inhabitants of the rocky villages and trading outposts or we find dairy-fragments of another group of climbers, who were on the hunt for so-called „ballasts“, whale-like creatures, seemingly made of water.
Even with the fact that every human being has left due to the life-threatening conditions, Jusant nevers feels empty. This is based on the very vivid wildlife, which was able to adapt to this dry environment and the constant company of a little blob-like creature, we carry with us. The world seems credible and important, designed with love, care and desire.
Many people called this game a journey-like based on its absence of language, focusing on a cohesive experience and immersive atmosphere. I could agree, but I would ascribe Jusant a very own feeling to it. Whereas in your Journey-journey you never stop, in Jusant, I often was caught up in the beauty of this dying landscape, staring into the desert and feeling the relief of lacking my fear of heights in real life.
Unfortunately the game, through its entirety, fails to combine all the different climbing mechanics and balance them right. It chose the easiest path to approach, which results in a very trouble- and obstacle-free way up. You are faced with a few environmental challenges like sunlight or wind, but they are never overwhelming or challenging. But I can forgive this fact, because Jusant is a heart-type, not a brain-type game, it is emotional- and not skill-based.
Nevertheless it is far away from being a feel-good experience nor an affective, cry-inducing allegory of a climate-change endangered world outside of this game. It is special, well-crafted and paced, with a welcome absence of violence, a journey that sparks hope and will be remembered.
Jusant enables you to climb. Climb like, we always dreamt to be able to climb in a video game without being a 1:1 climbing simulator. The mechanic is the hook, the safety rope, we tie to the wall and never fall. You can actually never fall nor die in Jusant, you are always safe, even if you are running out of stamina or being unable to hold tight. But this decision - for me - is a good one, as Jusant does not want to be a challenging or potentially frustrating game. It embraces a dynamic and flow-focused approach, which simply works.
The story and agency in this game derivers from the quest to find the missing water. The pillar-like structure, called The Tower, experienced a devastating drought, which lead to its full abandonment. On our journey upwards, we either find notes of former inhabitants of the rocky villages and trading outposts or we find dairy-fragments of another group of climbers, who were on the hunt for so-called „ballasts“, whale-like creatures, seemingly made of water.
Even with the fact that every human being has left due to the life-threatening conditions, Jusant nevers feels empty. This is based on the very vivid wildlife, which was able to adapt to this dry environment and the constant company of a little blob-like creature, we carry with us. The world seems credible and important, designed with love, care and desire.
Many people called this game a journey-like based on its absence of language, focusing on a cohesive experience and immersive atmosphere. I could agree, but I would ascribe Jusant a very own feeling to it. Whereas in your Journey-journey you never stop, in Jusant, I often was caught up in the beauty of this dying landscape, staring into the desert and feeling the relief of lacking my fear of heights in real life.
Unfortunately the game, through its entirety, fails to combine all the different climbing mechanics and balance them right. It chose the easiest path to approach, which results in a very trouble- and obstacle-free way up. You are faced with a few environmental challenges like sunlight or wind, but they are never overwhelming or challenging. But I can forgive this fact, because Jusant is a heart-type, not a brain-type game, it is emotional- and not skill-based.
Nevertheless it is far away from being a feel-good experience nor an affective, cry-inducing allegory of a climate-change endangered world outside of this game. It is special, well-crafted and paced, with a welcome absence of violence, a journey that sparks hope and will be remembered.