The “wholesome games” subgenre has quickly become an overcrowded one with plenty of indie developers vying to create the next cozy hit game.
It can be annoying to see the trend being done to death, but it does illustrate that there is a genuine desire for non-violent games that calm you instead of stressing you out. Jusant is another one of those games, and it’s a title you shouldn’t ignore. I’d previously played the demo and was mildly impressed. After playing the full game, my opinion has only grown more positive, and I’m in love with Don’t Nod’s little experiment.
Jusant (PC [reviewed], PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
Developer: Don’t Nod
Publisher: Don’t Nod
Released: October 31, 2023
MSRP: $24.99
Make the desert bloom
“Jusant” is a French word used in the maritime world, and it refers to ebbing tides. It’s a fitting name for Don’t Nod’s game, as it has you climbing a tall tower. As you ascend, you catch a greater glimpse of a sprawling ocean bed reaching toward the horizon. The name also works on a metaphorical level because your ascent has you uncovering the secrets of a past civilization, like an ocean receding to reveal the seabed beneath.
Don’t let the name fool you into thinking you’re in for a pretentious experience. Jusant is nothing like that. The game is exceedingly simple, and it strips you of everything but the essentials. You have your rope, your pitons, and your backpack, which is inhabited by a blob of water you encounter after an hour or two of play. The little blue guy is adorable, and he helps you out by causing flowers to bloom or fireflies to carry you.
As previously stated, you have a massive tower to conquer. Though you can play with a keyboard and mouse, playing with a controller makes for a far more immersive experience. You use the L2 and R2 triggers to control the protagonist’s hands, and in doing so, you end up experiencing the same feeling of strain and exhaustion as the climber as you search for the next handhold.
Much of the challenge comes from the fact that your ascent isn’t always straightforward. There are environmental obstacles to overcome, and these turn Jusant into a meditative puzzle game. Sometimes, you’ll have to stick a piton to your rope and do a wall run to reach the next ledge. In other instances, you’re required to rappel down and swing across a gap.
The puzzle aspects of the game are challenging without being frustrating. There were a few spots that brought me to a screeching halt, and I had to go through a bit of trial and error before I finally figured out what was required. None of it ever annoyed me, however, and with every attempt, I felt like I was learning something new.
Part of what makes the experience so pleasurable is the fact that the basic elements of the puzzles are simple. You either have to use your water blob, or wall run, or swing, or some combination of these moves. If you get stuck, slow down and look carefully at the environment. The way forward isn’t always intuitive, and some pathways are red herrings that lead to dead ends.
Subtle, simple, and sweet
For most of the game, you’ll be playing in relative silence, with only a few natural sounds and your footsteps and panting as your soundtrack. This is ideal, as it puts you in a meditative state of mind. Its use of silence makes it the perfect game to throw on when you’re listening to a podcast, or if you want to unwind for half an hour before bed. There’s also no voice acting, which means that the narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling and occasional collectible notes.
Visually, Jusant continues its simple but sweet design. It has a colorful, rounded art style that gives it a bit of a childhood fantasy feeling. Though the entire game takes place on the tower, there is a surprising variety of environments. My favorite environment is found in Chapter 4, which takes place mostly indoors where there are fireflies and enchanting lights.
You have a wide range of visual options, allowing the game to run on almost any rig. I managed to get Jusant running flawlessly on the Steam Deck with almost all settings cranked up to High or Maximum, and I was still able to maintain a solid 30 FPS.
The game doesn’t break any graphical barriers, but it’s certainly not an ugly game. On the contrary, you’re often treated to breathtaking views as you reach new peaks, and sometimes you’ll unlock short cutscenes that show off the gorgeous environments. I advise you to play Jusant slowly and take in all the beautiful sights.
Blemished but not broken
Jusant does a lot of things right, but it is not without its flaws. Most notably, when jumping from one ledge to the next, it’s not always easy to angle yourself correctly for the leap. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself leaping backward, causing you to waste precious stamina.
The game could also benefit from introducing a little more environmental storytelling. In a game like Shadow of the Colossus, for example, the remaining architecture and relics speak volumes about the sensibilities of the civilization and the dangers they faced. The environments of Jusant feel generic and cartoonish at times, rather than the shadow of a past society. Consequently, the mystery driving you forward is weakened.
Get lost in the flow
Jusant is not perfect, but it makes an impression. It has a playtime of around 6 to 10 hours, depending on how fast you play and how quickly you figure out the path up. It’s worth playing for those moments when everything goes right, which is fortunately often.
You experience these moments after an arduous climb that has you falling multiple times and trying different routes to overcome a stupid rock in your path. With only slivers of stamina left, you clasp onto the final ledge, hoist yourself up, and your sweaty hands can finally let go of the triggers. A picturesque view greets you, accompanied by nothing but the low whistle of a calm breeze. Everything feels right.
The concept of “flow” was first outlined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and it describes a state of mind when you’re completely immersed in what you’re doing. Time disappears and it feels like you’re in the zone. The common example often given to describe this mental state is the climber who doesn’t need to think about what he does next — he simply moves.
You can capture that feeling in Jusant if you allow yourself to get lost in the flow of gameplay. Before you know it, you’ll be at the peak, and all the sweat and setbacks will feel worth it.
[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]
