Jusant
What to Know
Average Score
- October 31, 2023
- DON'T NOD
- Platformer, Adventure
Critics Consensus
- October 31, 2023
- Platformer, Adventure
Critics Consensus
# Reviews: 33
A contemplative, minimalistic climbing adventure with refined mechanics, beautiful scenery, and a wonderful soundtrack.
Rate and Review
Critic Reviews for Jusant
Critic Reviews
Score Distribution
33
Reviews
Silver
53% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
Ranges
Jusant is a strong entry from DON’T NOD that offers a chilled out experience with a balanced sense of discovery, challenge, and beauty.
Jusant’s tale unravels through concrete, satisfying climbing that contrasts with ephemeral hints at the past, in a game that marries function, form and story in a most beautiful way.
Though Jusant gets a bit fanciful in its last level, abandoning its natural elements for an astronomical excursion, the rapturous feeling of climbing the seemingly unclimbable continues to drive the game forward. This is where Jusant’s deliberate, precise mechanics are so vital, as the more responsive the controls, the more responsible players are for each outcome. Nothing is impossible, the game suggests. You just have to take it one step at a time.
Chris White (God is a Geek)
8/10 - (Read Review)
Jusant is a strong entry from DON’T NOD that offers a chilled out experience with a balanced sense of discovery, challenge, and beauty.
Alice Bell (Rock, Paper, Shotgun)
Recommended - (Read Review)
Jusant’s tale unravels through concrete, satisfying climbing that contrasts with ephemeral hints at the past, in a game that marries function, form and story in a most beautiful way.
Aaron Riccio (Slant Magazine)
4/5 stars - (Read Review)
Though Jusant gets a bit fanciful in its last level, abandoning its natural elements for an astronomical excursion, the rapturous feeling of climbing the seemingly unclimbable continues to drive the game forward. This is where Jusant’s deliberate, precise mechanics are so vital, as the more responsive the controls, the more responsible players are for each outcome. Nothing is impossible, the game suggests. You just have to take it one step at a time.
Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
33bits | Fernando Sánchez | 90 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant demonstrates why Don’t Nod should focus on these titles. We have a puzzle game where the master mechanic is climbing and the driving engine is an environmental narrative that will push us to continue climbing, this combination is the work of crazy people or geniuses, and we are more inclined towards the latter. If its curious and interesting proposal appeals to you, don’t let it escape, it is one of those games that we will still be talking about in 10 years. | Read review |
But Why Tho? | Kate Sanchez | 8.5 / 10 | 11-01-2023 | Justant is a testament to letting environments speak for themselves instead of relying on dialogue. Don’t Nod trusts its ability as developers to create a game that relies on experience, not words and it trusts its players to understand narrative subtleties. Jusant may be simple, but its layered vision of a world is timeless. | Read review |
CGMagazine | Andrew Farrell | 7.5 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | When Jusant works as intended, it’s a calming, peaceful experience that’s occasionally let down by some somewhat underwhelming functionality. | Read review |
Checkpoint Gaming | Charlie Kelly | 8.5 / 10 | 10-30-2023 | Jusant is wonderful and never fails to impress. It’s at its best when it’s offering you the quiet, contemplative moments, teasing passed on civilisations with its very apt environmental storytelling. Offering climbing gameplay that is more focused on fluidity and responsiveness than gruelling or trivial makes for a smoother and more enjoyable experience, bolstering the cinematic and picturesque world painted. Basking in the glow of the sunlight, reaching a peak and in turn being greeted with beautiful pieces of music that feel almost like they’re cheering you on… they entirely more than make up for the brief moments the game overshares in its otherwise mystique nature. At the end of it all, Jusant is worth the climb, remaining all peaks and no valleys. | Read review |
COGconnected | Michael Chow | 84 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | 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. | Read review |
Daily Star | Tom Hutchison | 4 / 5 stars | 10-31-2023 | One of the most unique and lovely games of the year. | Read review |
Digital Chumps | Nathaniel Stevens | 9 / 10 | 11-09-2023 | Jusant from developer Don’t Nod is a wonderful example of balancing well-crafted gameplay mechanics to perfectly matched puzzles to use them on. | Read review |
Digital Trends | Tomas Franzese | 4 / 5 stars | 10-31-2023 | Jusant’s creative take on climbing and a minimalistic approach to storytelling make it one of the boldest titles from Don’t Nod so far. | Read review |
Gamer Escape | Justin Mercer | 8 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant is not a game for everyone, but if you expect it to be one you’ll appreciate, it probably will be. Its noteworthy climbing mechanics are kept fresh throughout the adventure by asking you to utilize them in different ways, its ponderous atmosphere is top notch, and the environmental storytelling within its detailed world really gets your imagination going to a degree I hadn’t remotely expected. | Read review |
GAMES.CH | Josef Erl | 85 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | 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. | Read review |
GamesBeat | Rachel Kaser | Recommended | 11-12-2023 | Overall, it’s a delightful, charming adventure game that does one thing very, very well — and that’s worth just as much, if not more to me than a game that tries to do everything with middling results. | Read review |
GamingTrend | Corvo Rohwer | 90 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | 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. | Read review |
God is a Geek | Chris White | 8 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant is a strong entry from DON’T NOD that offers a chilled out experience with a balanced sense of discovery, challenge, and beauty. | Read review |
Hobby Consolas | Daniel Quesada | 87 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | One of the games with the most personality of the year, offering a quiet, but increasingly interesting experience. Ideal to escape from the noise of the big blockbusters and let yourself be surprised little by little. | Read review |
IGN Italy | Francesco Destri | 8.2 / 10 | 11-01-2023 | Jusant mixes adventure, exploration, a cryptic and mysterious storyline and lots of climbing sections with good results. It’s not a genre for everyone, but if you’ve always dreamed of a mix of Grow Home, Journey and The Climb, here it is. | Read review |
LevelUp | Santiago Villicaña | 8 / 10 | 11-09-2023 | Jusant is the perfect combination of a relaxed and contemplative experience with challenge and mystery. It is unique, fun and beautiful. | Read review |
Lords Of Gaming | Daniel May | 7.5 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant shows its best when it shows the past. As you climb through a ghost civilization, you see and hear what was left behind and why. | Read review |
NoobFeed | Jay Claassen | 90 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant might start off as a fun climbing game that challenges you to climb a massive mountain, but it’ll end up turning into a journey. Even though Jusant doesn’t have any NPCs, there’s still a rich story to discover in the form of letters from the previous people who lived there. All in all, Jusant might give players with a fear of heights a nightmare or two, but it’s easy enough to look past for a game that’ll leave a lasting impact and maybe even a few fond memories. | Read review |
PC Gamer | Kaile Hultner | 89 / 100 | 10-31-2023 | A subtle and intriguing story encourages you to climb ever higher in this melancholy adventure. | Read review |
Press Start | James Wood | 8.5 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant’s melancholic world may be built on the absence of life but through its methodically refined climbing mechanics and richly rewarding thematic work, it carves a path that rarely ever leaves you looking down. | Read review |
Push Square | Stephen Tailby | 7 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | 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. | Read review |
Rectify Gaming | Will “fncwill” | 9 / 10 | 11-07-2023 | Jusant is a game that delivers an experience like no other. Its humble price point makes it accessible to a wide audience, offering a refreshing alternative to the overpriced AAA titles that often dominate the gaming market. The game’s imperfections pale in comparison to the value it provides, and its meditative, exploratory gameplay will captivate those seeking a unique gaming experience. With Jusant, you’re not just purchasing a game; you’re investing in a serene journey to the top of a tower filled with secrets and wonders. Don’t let its modest price tag fool you; Jusant is a hidden gem priced to perfection. | Read review |
Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Alice Bell | Recommended | 10-31-2023 | Jusant’s tale unravels through concrete, satisfying climbing that contrasts with ephemeral hints at the past, in a game that marries function, form and story in a most beautiful way. | Read review |
Sirus Gaming | Leif Rey Bornales | 9 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Anyone who loves a good climbing puzzle game will truly love Jusant and its protagonist. From the many exciting sceneries that you get throughout your journey to the soundtrack that keeps you motivated to keep going. Jusant is a must-have if you ever feel like doing something challenging and daunting. | Read review |
Slant Magazine | Aaron Riccio | 4 / 5 stars | 10-31-2023 | Though Jusant gets a bit fanciful in its last level, abandoning its natural elements for an astronomical excursion, the rapturous feeling of climbing the seemingly unclimbable continues to drive the game forward. This is where Jusant’s deliberate, precise mechanics are so vital, as the more responsive the controls, the more responsible players are for each outcome. Nothing is impossible, the game suggests. You just have to take it one step at a time. | Read review |
SpazioGames | Giulia Francolino | 8 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant is a puzzle game about climbing that offers the player a variety of beautiful scenarios, a wonderful soundtrack, and a captivating narrative while addressing important topics with grace and sensitivity. | Read review |
TechRaptor | Samiee Tee | 6 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | A beautiful world of exhilarating gameplay that wants no more than to burst out with originality and excitement, which is marred by a want to rush to empty platitudes without thinking of the ripple effect it has on everything else. | Read review |
The Games Machine | Nicholas Mercurio | 8.7 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | Jusant is a courageous, intense and detailed work. Full of originality, with a brilliant and intelligent plot, it tells of a cross-section of the world that is explored through long crossings and climbs that are always different, but still complex. Strengthened by an exciting, engaging and well-implemented play structure, it is proof of the passion of Don’t Nod, which is preparing to leave its mark on a panorama that it has known for seventeen years. | Read review |
VG247 | Jim Trinca | Recommended | 10-31-2023 | A way up, in this case. 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. | Read review |
Video Chums | A.J. Maciejewski | 8 / 10 | 11-07-2023 | Jusant is a gentle game that’ll have you happily climb up its awe-inspiring world and once it’s over, you’ll think fondly back at the journey. | Read review |
VideoGamer | Ben Borthwick | 8 / 10 | 10-31-2023 | 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. | Read review |
WellPlayed | Adam Ryan | 8 / 10 | 11-01-2023 | Jusant is a gorgeous and relaxing puzzler with well-design climbing mechanics that evolve over the course of a very tight five-hour runtime. | Read review |
Windows Central | Zachary Boddy | 4.5 / 5 stars | 10-31-2023 | Apart from brief moments of frustration, Jusant is a beautiful and relaxing puzzle-adventure game. | Read review |
About Jusant
Enjoy meditative vibes in Jusant, an action-puzzle climbing game. Scale an immeasurably tall tower and ascend to new heights alongside your watery companion. Master your climbing tools, find your way up through diverse biomes, and piece together the tower’s past.
RELEASE DATES:
DEVELOPER(S):
- DON'T NOD
PUBLISHER(S):
- DON'T NOD
GENRES:
- Platformer, Adventure
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 5
DLC:
- -
BUNDLED IN:
- -
DIRECTOR(S):
- Mathieu Beaudelin, Kevin Poupard
PRODUCER(S):
- Adrian Iliescu
DESIGNER(S):
- Sofiane Saheb
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Mathieu Simon
ARTIST(S):
- Edouard Caplain
WRITER(S):
- -
COMPOSER(S):
- Guillaume Ferran
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 5
DLC:
- n/a
BUNDLED IN:
- n/a
DIRECTOR(S):
- Mathieu Beaudelin, Kevin Poupard
PRODUCER(S):
- Adrian Iliescu
DESIGNER(S):
- Sofiane Saheb
PROGRAMMER(S):
- Mathieu Simon
ARTIST(S):
- Edouard Caplain
WRITER(S):
- n/a
COMPOSER(S):
- Guillaume Ferran
MINIMUM
RECOMMENDED
Time to Beat
MAIN STORY
MAIN + EXTRAS
COMPLETIONIST
ALL PLAYSTYLES
* VSG’s best estimate for how long it will take you to complete the game. Learn more.