Climber: Sky is the Limit

Climber: Sky is the Limit is an action adventure game with clearly defined simulation and survival elements. The game allows us to feel like Adam Bielecki or Denis Urubko, because during the game we play the role of a climber who conquers the highest peaks of the world in winter. The production was developed by independent Polish studio A2 Softworks.

Mechanics

In Climber: Sky is the Limit we observe the action from a first person perspective (FPP). We take part in alpine expeditions, each of which starts with acquiring sponsors and buying the necessary equipment and food. Then we reach the base camp at the foot of the Himalayas. Sitting in a relatively warm and safe tent, we can look at the map of the mountains and choose the eight-thousander and the road leading to it. The list of available peaks includes Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Nanga Parbat, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. It is worth remembering that the shortest route is not always the best - sometimes longer routes are easier and safer.

Then there is nothing left to do but prepare the equipment necessary to survive in the high mountains and set out on the road. It is not easy, because the individual elements of the equipment have their own weight, so packing unnecessary items into the backpack may result in an excessive load on our climber. However, due to severe and unpredictable weather conditions, on the way to the top we always need the right clothes, i.e. jacket, gloves and warm boots. In addition, we have to take a variety of tools with us. This is mainly about ice axe (or preferably two), which not only allows you to climb or traverse the vertical walls covered with ice (crossing), but also allows you to brake when you lose your balance and start sliding into the abyss. Besides, ropes and carbines play an important role. Thanks to them we can do fixed rope, i.e. secure particular fragments of the route; although it costs valuable time, it can often make our life easier (when we decide to withdraw to one of the camps or we are already going down to the base camp) or even save us from death (e.g. protecting us from falling from a great height). And don't forget about crampons that make it easier to move around on ice.

However, even the best prepared climber is not able to fully predict the complications he will encounter on his way to the summit. Climbing upwards, at any time we can fall into an icy rift, get caught in an avalanche or find ourselves in the middle of a snow blizzard. While the avalanche can easily deprive us of life, the snowstorm can be avoided by hiding in a tent... ... provided we take one with us and find a place to pitch it. Since it is extremely tiring to climb at such an altitude, camping on the way and waiting for the weather windows (moments when there are favourable conditions for climbing in the mountains) are also necessary, as they allow, among other things, to regenerate.

If everything goes our way, our effort will be rewarded by reaching the top. However, in order to be able to plan our next expedition, we still have to return to the base in one piece.

Technical aspects

Climber: Sky Is The Limit has high quality graphics. The elements of the equipment were designed with attention to detail, and the icy environment and weather conditions in the high mountains are convincingly rendered.