“Jusant describes a marine phenomenon, specific to nautical coasts, in which sea level rises regularly from its highest point before receding to reach its lowest point, generally known as low tide.”
It is not just any term, it is not a random word that Don’t Nod has pulled out of its sleeve, but the French developers have chosen the noun to reflect your most particular world. The studio has presented us with gems of the caliber of Life is Strange or Vampyr, but all of them were always attached to a terrain that we already know. By the way, the creators themselves clear up all doubts about its pronunciation.
In the case of Jusant We are taken to an empty stage, a place where our protagonist barely has company and where water, the much coveted liquid, has completely disappeared. The journey from the base of the stone tower to its summit is full of beautiful pictures, beautiful corners and a very hard journey based on climbing.
Although I would like to put the comparisons out of my head, I can’t help it. Jusant is the Death Stranding of mountaineering, of which he has his gaze fixed upwards and on the points on which he can lean. Not only because of a mechanic based purely on the method of movement, but because of everything we contemplate throughout the process. An experience that is close to the well-worn mantra that video games are art.
Not a single word is spoken in the entire game. and the only testimony that the tower was once inhabited is found through notes that recount the last moments of life of the locals. The tower is divided into different sections, starting with a sunny beginning and ending with inclement weather in the highest parts. In all of them we will come across the remains of humanity, among their belongings made up of fishing nets, boats that no longer float and tools to go out to fish that no longer have prey to capture.
For an unknown reason, rain hasn’t fallen from the sky for too long. So much so that many doubt that it even existed, which is why they do not know the tremendous risk that comes with not progressively renewing the water. Discovering the cause of this drought will be our goal, so our skill in placing pitons and tying ropes will be essential.
Obviously, the vertical progression is constant, looking for natural supports such as crevices in the rock, a mill that has passed away or a saving ledge. However, We’re not exactly Nathan Drake., so trying to scale at full speed is not the most beneficial. In fact, we won’t be able to jump constantly, since we have a resistance bar that limits our ability to act.
It is the first call of Jusant for us to take their challenge patiently and calmly, because there is a lot to climb and no reward for getting there faster. We are not in a race, but rather facing the pure challenge of having a huge wall before us and knowing that we have to climb it. Of course, a little friend will help us shortly after the adventure begins.
Ballast is a small creature made of water that reveals the path we must follow, reveals clues hidden between the cracks and launches a very particular energy pulse. If we activate it, we will see how some plants grow in a flash and many others have cocoons that we can hold onto to reach a new point. Their work is essential for both of them to reach the top of the tower safely.in addition to guiding us to murals painted in stone about the tower’s past.
Not only does Ballast help, but the creatures that live in the tower will continue to go about their lives and we will take advantage of them. For example, tiny beings come out of holes carrying stones on their shoulders as they walk along a wall, so we will have to lean on them as they move to continue. In the same way, a kind of fireflies lift us several meters if we ask them to.
And with all this you swing in the void, you reach a support where you can rest, you perform double jumps along a facade and you shake your hand to relax it after so much tension during the climb. The heat incites the plants and consumes their cocoons, while the wind whips so hard that it can knock us off the cliff we are on. There is no skill tree, we do not find any improvement that helps us climb better, we simply arrive with what we are wearing and end up with the same toolbox on our back.
It is not necessary to know the terrain as if we were going to climb Everest, but they are details that provide interaction with the environment that culminates after four hours of departure in a beautiful ending, without the need for text, words or any other sound other than that of nature itself. Jusant reminds us of Studio Ghibli at times and its magnificent pulse between the purely artistic and the narration of a message that resonates. They are small moments, but they allow us to appreciate the great work done.
SamaGame’s opinion
There was a desire to Jusant and Don’t Nod has fulfilled the line that previous tests pointed to. The journey to the summit is full of mystery, beautiful scenery and an atmosphere that surrounds you with every grip you manage to reach. The work, due to its narrative nature, will connect more with those who are completely involved in the journey, but otherwise you will come across a title that focuses on beauty.
The soundtrack is really relaxing, the flora and fauna seem extremely friendly and everything that appears on the screen has the gift of being able to captivate. It lasts a sigh and perhaps it is for the best; Don’t arrive expecting a frenetic climb, the use of all kinds of mountaineering gear or anything similar. Just let yourself be rocked by vibrations that appear, sooner or later, but they are there.
Jusant Price
Jusant It can be obtained on the main platforms of PC (Steam), PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. In all cases, the sale price is 24.99 euros, although it is also available at launch with Xbox Game Pass.
Jusant duration
Jusant’s campaign lasts around four hours, although it can be a little longer depending on whether you want to get all the collectibles. There are murals, notations and small stone towers to find, but they are very easy to find and would take you maybe an hour longer to do 100%.
Jusant
| Platforms | PC (reviewed version), PS5 and Xbox Series |
|---|---|
| Multiplayer | No |
| Developer | Don’t Nod |
| Company | Don’t Nod |
| Launch | October 31, 2023 |
The best
- A comforting and pleasant experience
- The art direction is sublime
- Climbing is fun…
Worst
- …but you won’t find a challenge in it
