Jusant

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.

Takes a simple idea for activity and turns it into something special, thanks to immersive controls, a powerful sense of exploration, and great worldbuilding. [Issue#35, p.92]

Collectibles aside, Jusant is a magical experience from beginning to end. From the very first time I had my avatar grab a handhold and hoist herself up the side of a cliff face I was hooked, and the rest of the adventure never once failed to deliver that same thrill. This is a special experience — one that tosses aside realism and simulation to capture the idea of mountain climbing that exists only in our fantasies. Yes, the story is beautiful, and yes, the level design is impeccable, but what Jusant offers most is the perfected version of climbing beyond what reality can offer, and I’m glad I got a chance to see it.

Jusant is a small, playful and extremely atmospheric adventure. Here, the developers at Dontnod use their flair for colorful universes and unique gameplay to create a game that is engaging from start to finish.

Jusant from developer Don’t Nod is a wonderful example of balancing well-crafted gameplay mechanics to perfectly matched puzzles to use them on.

Combining a gorgeous art style, intriguing setting and a surprisingly old-school yet welcome nod to platforming of the past, Jusant is a terrific adventure full of accomplished set-pieces and smart design throughout. A game that doesn’t outstay its welcome and as such, makes every one of its rock-climbing ascents a curious, environmental puzzle to work out. That Don’t Nod have crafted something mechanically, artistically and even thematically satisfying as this is one thing. That this marks the team’s second game released this year — solidifying the French developer’s growing, widening talents across a bevvy of fields — and one arguably even greater in its breadth of quality is another. For players, it may well revolve around the satisfaction of small accomplishments, but for Don’t Nod themselves, Jusant has all the hallmarks of being hailed the studio’s finest work yet.

Jusant is one of my favorite gaming experiences of 2023. The rock-climbing gameplay is simple yet extremely satisfying to play, and it’s masterfully interwoven with the narrative and lore of the world. It’s a surprisingly quaint, emotional story that packs a punch despite having zero spoken dialogue, which is a testament to the narrative chops of Don’t Nod. I still find myself thinking about Jusant days after staring a meditative hole through its ending credits.

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.

A perfectly paced vertical exploration of a lost civilisation, that offers the most authentic climbing simulation ever seen in a game and retains its air of mystery and discovery right up to the closing credits.

Jusant is my favorite Don’t Nod title since the original Life is Strange and is one of the year’s best gems. The climbing mechanics are so smart and well-executed that I hope other games take notes. 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.

Jusant is a wonderful, meditative puzzle adventure framed around climbing that effectively draws you into its mysterious world. With creative level designs that make the most of the vertical tower setting, the climbing mechanics are fun and intuitive, and the pacing keeps its feeling too repetitive overall.

With its stunning graphics, a narrative deeply relevant to our current reality, and gameplay featuring a diverse array of mechanics, Jusant delivers a comprehensive experience. Although it may be brief, it stands out as an excellent addition to your PS5 library.

Jusant is one of those titles to be played at your own pace, while enjoying its landscapes and every moment of its characters' journey. More than a climbing game, Jusant is a work of friendship and awareness; an adventure through a desolate world full of stories to tell.

A beautifully atmospheric game of exploration that tasks you with climbing a structure of which the top cannot be seen from the ground, Jusant gives me the chill but thought provoking climbing experience I didn’t know I needed. It’s a fantastic game for the people who loved something like “Only Up” but died a little on a personal level every time they fell all the way back down. Jusant is a wonderfully unique experience with very well executed mechanics and I can’t recommend this enough.

Jusant is a bit hard to be included in a genre, but truth to be told it does not really need to. It is a breath of fresh air, an artistic production that is not scared to break away from the norm and the standard to walk its own path. It has its challenges, and the gameplay is simple yet interesting enough to keep you hooked. Jusant’s mysteries are never completely revealed, thus joining a select club of games that stir up an emotional response from their players.

Jusant is a wonderful gaming experience with an almost meditative flow, supported by an atmospheric soundtrack and almost perfectly balanced game mechanics. Unfortunately, it's already over after about five hours. In the end, however, you are left with a strong message and the great feeling of having achieved something.

If you love climbing, reading, mystery and slow-paced games, this one is a pick like no other! If you can’t stand any of these elements, we’d suggest giving this game a try either way. There is just something captivating in Jusant that you can’t easily find on the market these days.

In a gaming landscape often dominated by frantic and intense titles, Jusant serves as a serene beacon of tranquillity and introspection. It reminds us that not every gaming experience needs to be an adrenaline rush. Instead, it offers an opportunity to escape the chaos of the outside world and immerse yourself in a beautifully crafted environment. With Jusant, you’ll master the art of climbing, explore diverse biomes, and uncover the mysteries of the tower, all while enjoying a captivating and peaceful atmosphere. In a world filled with high-octane games, Jusant stands as a soothing journey to new heights, where the destination is only half the adventure.

Seeing Jusant to the end felt like returning from a brisk walk in the woods, your lungs full of fresh air, and your mind alert from a cool breeze – which is an astute achievement for a game with such deep connections to the natural environment, and the act of physical human movement. You come away feeling sated, satisfied, and refreshed, the sense of achievement and clarity of thought it offers clearing your headspace for whatever challenge comes next.

Even when it frustrated me at times, though, Jusant consistently had me wanting to keep going up. Whether it was uncovering another bit of lore about this world, seeing what beautiful scenery was over the next ridge, or simply the joy of finding that next handhold, Jusant kept me engaged from start to finish. A sequel that offers a longer experience that better utilizes its abilities could be even better, but anyone wanting to see how compelling a game can be without needing to bring combat into the equation should absolutely check it out.

Jusant gets the most it can out of a simple formula. It tells a memorable tale, one that goes to some unexpected places by the final chapter. The game uses a central gameplay mechanic that anybody can grasp. Plus, it's beautiful to behold, taking that idea of climbing a picturesque tower and using it to craft some awe-inspiring landscapes...The climb to the top of Jusant isn't a long one, but it makes the most of every moment. If this is an example of what happens when Don't Nod decides to get experimental, I can't wait to see how much bolder the team can go.

Like the early Tomb Raiders, this is a game in which you truly get to know your environment, connecting with it physically and emotionally: a puzzle to be solved, yes, and a story to be unearthed, but also a space to respect and to feel humbled by. [Issue#391, p.116]

Jusant is an eco-fable, and like other such titles you play the role of a restorer. What the game deftly tells us through its world-building, narrative, and exquisite climbing is that the role requires both ambition and imagination. This is no better summed up than by the jump your character must make from one handhold to another, an act that suspends them in midair for a perilous, heart-in-mouth moment. Lodged in this little leap of faith is the entire spirit of adventure, the quality that ultimately makes the rehabilitation of Jusant’s stricken mountain possible.

What a climb! Without saying a word, Jusant manages to make us feel many things and that makes it a very good contemplative and poetic game. But you still have to not let yourself be disturbed by the few inaccuracies in gameplay and the lack of pressure... Despite some flashes and a welcome relaxing aspect, it doesn't mean that the climb of Jusant pleases everyone. But we quickly forgive its faults when the trip is worth the detour. Whether you want to gain height, reconnect with nature or relax in an exotic world, Jusant may be the game for you.

Enjoyable but difficult and always unravelling a deeper tale. One of the most unique and lovely games of the year.

Jusant is a delightful adventure from beginning to end. The emphasis put on climbing mechanics means that it's never tiresome to play in spite of its linear focus, and its steady transition from biome to biome provides a strong sense of progression. Between Jusant and Harmony: The Fall Of Reverie, it's been a year of Don't Nod trying new things, and with great success.

Jusant is a gorgeous and relaxing puzzler with well-design climbing mechanics that evolve over the course of a very tight five-hour runtime.

With a unique art style, gorgeous soundscapes, and a world you’ll want to keep exploring, Jusant is one game I’ll likely remember and regard highly for quite some time.

A contemplative adventure that won’t set the world on fire, but its logical and tactile climbing mechanics are genuinely fun and present a compelling proposition to keep exploring in spite of its relatively short length.

If you’ve enjoyed stylish adventures like Rime and Journey in the past, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy Jusant. What it lacks in narrative it makes up for in environmental design: this is a world teeming with imagination and signs of life. Ultimately though, your goal here is to simply keep moving upwards. As repetitive as it can get, there’s still a sweet joy to be found in ever edging closer and closer to the top, and puzzling to find the best route to get there is enjoyable enough to keep us playing.

Despite one or two missteps, Jusant hangs together thanks to a well-realised, unique location and, more importantly, a fun and engaging way to interact with it. The climbing at its core is wonderfully tactile and finds a balance between complexity and accessibility. The spire of rock you're ascending is an interesting place to explore, gradually shifting into new environments as you ascend. We're not totally sold on the story, and the animation and camera can be clumsy every so often, but the game remains a solid, meditative adventure throughout.