There’s a familiar thrill in roguelike platformers: that moment when momentum carries you past a tricky jump, only to be undone by a single misstep. Rogue Climber channels that energy into a first-person parkour experience, and its Early Access debut makes a compelling case for this solo dev passion project. Though it still has rough edges, the game’s blend of precise movement, procedural surprises, and community-driven updates already feels distinct.
Rogue Climber isn’t about floaty, forgiving leaps. Every vault, wall-run, and slide is weighted, demanding you manage speed and camera momentum. In practice, this creates a risk-versus-reward loop: push for a faster line and you might shave seconds off your run—or find yourself plummeting back to the start. For players who crave that tight feedback curve, it’s a satisfying dance of control and chaos.
Rather than pure randomness, levels are built from a curated library of 3D assets. This “procedural but handcrafted” approach means each chapter has its own visual theme—ruined temples, neon factories, surreal voidscapes—while layouts remix on every run. The result is unpredictable encounters that still feel fair. New traps and enemy types introduced in later chapters ratchet up the challenge without sacrificing clarity.
From the demo’s single area, Rogue Climber now boasts five full chapters, each with unique hazards and shortcuts to discover. A Free Play Mode offers endless remixing of those chapters, catering to score-chasers and speedrunners who want a never-ending gauntlet. Early Access also brings tentative story clues—tiny narrative beats tucked into the environment—and upgraded lighting and textures that polish the core experience.
Christian Tuttle’s hands-on development style is both an asset and a potential bottleneck. On one hand, players can directly influence patch priorities and balance tweaks. On the other, maintaining a steady stream of bug fixes, new features, and quality-of-life improvements will be essential to keep the community engaged. The risk: Early Access momentum stalls if critical issues linger too long.
At $8.99 (with a launch discount), Rogue Climber offers solid value for platformer fans hungry for depth and replayability. There’s no exploitative monetization here—just a clear roadmap shaped by player feedback. While some polish and additional content remain on the horizon, the current build already delivers a fresh take on first-person roguelike action. If you’ve been waiting for a parkour challenge that rewards skill and iteration, it’s time to grab your gear and start climbing.
Get access to exclusive strategies, hidden tips, and pro-level insights that we don't share publicly.
Ultimate Gaming Strategy Guide + Weekly Pro Tips