Insurmountable makes a roguelike out of a mountain this April

The PC adventure roguelike will arrive on Steam for certain, with console ports under consideration.

When you think "roguelike," an image probably comes to mind of dank dungeons or cutesy 2D platformers that secretly dream of kicking in your teeth before sending you back to the start of everything without much to show for it. But some developers, like ByteRockers' Games, think considerably bigger and the result is something like Insurmountable, a rougelike set on a beautiful but dangerous mountainside.

Due on April 29, 2021, Insurmountable tasks players with managing their limited resources as they seek out the optimal route to the top of a mountain. They'll face wildlife and the elements, and "death by misadventure" seems all but assured. It's that tiny sliver of hope that makes the journey worth taking.

A "run" in the game requires the player to conquer three separate mountains, with the difficulty level increasing after each success along the way. There are three difficulty settings: Standard, Hard and Insurmountable, with the last of those getting very nasty when the player makes even the slightest mistake.

Hazards include ever-changing weather and difficult terrain. There's a day/night cycle to consider, and you can't just memorize your route to the top because the geography changes with each new attempt.

"Whether it's the lack of oxygen or energy, dwindling mental health, freezing winds, or attacking wildlife, in Insurmountable players must strategically think through each option to ensure their survival, find loot necessary for advancement, and ultimately conquer the mountain," reads today's press release. "The text-based events present players with real consequences; there are no second chances. Three individual characters with unique skill systems and special abilities provide different tactical approaches. Via the scoreboard, everyone can view their most successful runs and compete with their friends for the title of the best virtual climber."

From the sound of things, PlayStation 4 and 5 ports, as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X ports are all but a done deal, while a Nintendo Switch one is merely being considered. At launch, the PC edition will cost €17.99 / $17.99 USD / £17.99 before jumping up to its standard price point of €19.99 / $19.99 / £19.99 a week later.

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Staff article by Jason Venter (March 22, 2021) Jason Venter has been playing games for 30 years, since discovering the Apple IIe version of Mario Bros. in his elementary school days. Now he writes about them, here at HonestGamers and also at other sites that agree to pay him for his words.