Best Climbing Games in 2025

Climbing games have gained attention alongside the increasing popularity of real-world rock climbing. Unlike traditional adventure titles, where players often jump or swing across surfaces, these games focus on the mechanics and strategy of climbing itself. Players are now able to experience the pacing, planning, and precision required to scale virtual mountains, providing a mix of challenge and engagement that mirrors real-world climbing in a controlled environment.

Jusant

Jusant takes place in a desert landscape dominated by a massive mountain that holds the remnants of a lost civilization. Players control a climber who seeks to restore water to the land, with movement mechanics that allow individual hand control. This gives players the ability to target specific handholds while navigating cliff faces.

The game includes a stamina system, which depletes as the climber ascends and recovers when resting on the wall. Over time, however, the stamina bar slowly decreases during extended hangs, adding a layer of strategy. Pitons can be placed to secure longer climbs, and the game’s ambient soundtrack creates a calming atmosphere, making climbing a deliberate and thoughtful activity.

Insurmountable

Unlike the mystical desert of Jusant, Insurmountable offers a more grounded mountaineering experience. Players plan their ascent across snow-covered peaks while managing resources such as energy, oxygen, body temperature, and time. The game’s roguelike structure introduces unpredictability, meaning that each climb presents unique challenges.

Careful planning is crucial, and different character builds provide strategic advantages, such as resisting adverse weather. Rather than relying on dexterity or fast reflexes, Insurmountable emphasizes preparation and decision-making, offering a realistic simulation of multiday climbs.

A Short Hike

A Short Hike presents a lighter approach to climbing. Players guide Claire, a young bird, through Hawk Peak Provincial Park to reach the summit where phone reception is available. The climb requires gathering Golden Feathers to increase stamina, along with interactions with other hikers who may offer assistance or simply provide companionship. The game balances exploration, resource management, and social interactions, highlighting the experience of ascending a mountain while keeping the tone casual and accessible.

Surmount

Surmount emphasizes physics-based climbing, where players control individual hands to grip rock surfaces. The game allows players to propel themselves across gaps using momentum, but stamina is consumed with each swing, and falls can be punishing. Terrain varies in difficulty, requiring timing and precision for successful climbs.

Cooperative play is also available, with two players connected by a rope, allowing them to assist each other during difficult sections. This approach combines strategy and unpredictability, making climbing both challenging and mechanically engaging.

Death Stranding

In Death Stranding, climbing is part of a larger delivery-focused experience. Players guide Sam Porter across a post-apocalyptic landscape while carrying heavy cargo. The game emphasizes footwork, weight distribution, and careful movement, simulating the physical demands of mountaineering.

Environmental challenges, including rain and Timefall (which accelerates aging of objects) affect both terrain and cargo. Anchors and ropes assist in climbing and descending, allowing players to navigate difficult slopes with more security. The combination of climbing mechanics and cargo management provides a realistic approach to virtual mountaineering.

Final Thoughts

Climbing-focused games are expanding in both scope and realism. Titles like Jusant and Surmount emphasize precise mechanics and physics, while Insurmountable challenges players with resource management and route planning. Lighter titles like A Short Hike make climbing approachable, and Death Stranding combines technical movement with cargo management to simulate realistic mountaineering. Together, these games provide a range of experiences for players interested in exploring mountains virtually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best climbing games to play in 2025?

Some of the most notable climbing games this year include Jusant, Insurmountable, A Short Hike, Surmount, and Death Stranding. Each game offers unique mechanics, from precise hand control to realistic load management.

Are climbing games realistic?

Climbing games vary in realism. Insurmountable and Death Stranding focus on realistic resource management and movement, while Jusant emphasizes deliberate hand movements and stamina. Casual titles like A Short Hike prioritize accessibility over realism.

Do climbing games require fast reflexes?

Not all climbing games rely on reflexes. Some, like Insurmountable and Jusant, focus on strategy, planning, and pacing. Physics-based games such as Surmount do require timing and coordination but are generally less dependent on speed than traditional action games.

Can you play climbing games cooperatively?

Yes, certain titles like Surmount offer cooperative play, where two players can share a rope and assist each other during difficult climbs.

Are these climbing games available on multiple platforms?

Availability varies by title. Jusant, Insurmountable, and A Short Hike are widely available on PC and consoles, while Death Stranding is available on PlayStation and PC. Players should check platform-specific availability before purchasing.

Here’s the list of all the games mentioned: