PEAK

Peak stands out as a delight in a year of self-serious major game releases, and I especially recommend it to anyone seeking levity amidst life’s stresses. The climb to the summit may be treacherous, but overcoming its many hazards with my friends is one of my favorite memories of playing games this year.

Peak is everything I'd want from a co-op game. It promotes creative collaboration, is cheap as chips, and with the map resetting every 24 hours there's the possibility of endless fun.

No campaign, no alternative modes. No frills, in short. PEAK focuses on doing one thing, and tries to do it as best as possible. In this case, then, it is one of those rare examples in which the level of fun is directly linked to the people you play it with: its nature makes it perfect as a co-op title to share with a small group of close friends, as long as we are not too scared by the roguelike component.

Playing PEAK is a reminder of why we play games. Not to save the world as the latest hunky hero chosen by a sexy priestess, but to laugh at our downfalls, share moments with our friends, and build memories that last. PEAK isn't the deepest or most polished game, but it is one of the most honestly fun games we've played this year.

PEAK is, well, the peak of climbing games. Aggro Crab and Landfall Games’ combined talent resulted in an incredibly tactile, aptly challenging and delightfully chaotic puzzle platformer. With lots of colour, whimsy and charm, every pitfall or plummet to your death on the trying climb is just another opportunity for you and your friends to pick yourself up off your feet, and get moving again. It’s dangerous to go alone, take this plush alien toy, healing balm and your best pals with you. You won’t regret it.

PEAK is short, sharp, and brutal—in the best way. Its tight mechanics, clever co-op design, and devilish biomes make every climb memorable, even when the servers don’t hold up. While bugs and communication issues occasionally get in the way, the game’s charm and challenge more than make up for it, especially considering the price. This is the kind of game that doesn’t just test your reflexes—it tests your friendships, and somehow makes that feel rewarding.

This charming and humorous cooperative climbing game thrives in multiplayer thanks to its chaotic biomes, intuitive controls, and emergent moments that demand communication and teamwork, although server issues and a lackluster solo mode hold it back from reaching greater heights.

Peak is a chaotic, fun time with friends that will have you cheering with joy one moment upon reaching the top, and screaming in agony the next after falling back down. While it's possible to play solo, this is clearly a co-op–designed experience that needs to be played with friends to get the most out of it. A few bugs and crashes still take away from the experience, but Peak is a game that's worth your time in a very busy 2025.