In the pantheon of uniquely challenging video games, few titles have carved out a niche as distinct and, dare we say, as infuriatingly brilliant as Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. This physics-based, climb-your-way-to-the-top (or plummet to your doom) experience became a cultural phenomenon for its brutal difficulty, its philosophical musings, and the sheer, unadulterated rage it could induce. If you've conquered its dizzying heights and are now seeking that familiar blend of frustration and satisfaction, you're in luck. The world of gaming offers several titles that capture the spirit of Getting Over It, challenging your patience, your dexterity, and your very sanity. Here are our top 5 picks for games that scratch that 'painfully rewarding' itch.
1. Jump King
Jump King is perhaps the most direct spiritual successor to Getting Over It in terms of pure, unadulterated frustration. You play as the 'Jump King,' a character whose sole objective is to ascend a ridiculously tall structure by making precise jumps. The catch? One wrong move, and you can fall for what feels like an eternity, losing hours of progress in a single, ill-timed hop. The controls are simple – hold to charge your jump, release to execute – but the precision required is anything but. The game’s stark, pixelated aesthetic belies its punishing nature, making each successful jump a hard-won victory and each fall a soul-crushing defeat. Like Getting Over It, it's a game that tests your mental fortitude as much as your motor skills.
2. Only Up!
Emerging in 2023, Only Up! took the internet by storm, offering a 3D take on the 'climb anything' genre. Players navigate through abstract, often surreal environments, using platforms, pipes, and discarded debris to ascend. While the premise sounds straightforward, Only Up! inherits the unforgiving nature of its predecessors. A misplaced step or a failed jump can send you spiraling down, often to the very beginning of the level. The visual design is a stark contrast to Getting Over It, with more detailed and imaginative landscapes, but the core gameplay loop of careful ascent and devastating falls remains. It's a testament to how effective this gameplay mechanic is when executed well.
Only Up! Steam (PC) - Steam CD Key - Global is available in our store
3. Polgarus: The Demon King
For those who appreciate the narrative and philosophical undertones that Bennett Foddy infused into his game, Polgarus: The Demon King offers a similar experience with a dark fantasy twist. This game also features challenging platforming where precision is paramount. You control a character with limited mobility, forced to carefully maneuver through treacherous environments. The stakes are high, as mistakes lead to significant setbacks. The game's tone is more somber and narrative-driven, providing a different flavor of frustration compared to the more abstract nature of Getting Over It, but the core challenge of slow, deliberate progress against immense odds is very much present.
4. QWOP
While not a direct 3D climbing game, QWOP is the progenitor of a certain kind of physics-based, deliberately awkward control scheme that Getting Over It masterfully builds upon. In QWOP, you control a runner by individually manipulating their thighs and calves. The goal is to run 100 meters. Sounds simple? It absolutely is not. The sheer difficulty in simply making your character move without falling face-first is legendary. If you enjoyed the struggle of learning and mastering unconventional controls in Getting Over It, QWOP will feel both familiar and hilariously punishing. It's a masterclass in how poor controls can lead to incredible emergent gameplay and challenge.
5. Octodad: Dadliest Catch
On the surface, Octodad: Dadliest Catch might seem like an odd inclusion. You play as an octopus disguised as a human father, trying to go about his daily life. However, the game’s core mechanic is its deliberately unwieldy, physics-driven controls that mimic the awkwardness of controlling an octopus's tentacles. This leads to a surprisingly similar experience to Getting Over It in terms of mastering a frustrating control scheme to achieve mundane tasks. While the stakes aren't as high as plummeting to your doom, the journey of simply trying to make your octo-dad perform simple actions without causing chaos is a delightful, often hilarious, and surprisingly challenging endeavor that any fan of Getting Over It can appreciate.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch (PC) CD Key for STEAM - GLOBAL is available in our store
Conclusion
The allure of games like Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy lies in their ability to push players to their limits, offering immense satisfaction upon overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While no game can perfectly replicate the unique blend of philosophical musings and brutal physics that Foddy created, the titles listed above capture its essence. Whether you're looking for precise platforming challenges, deliberately awkward controls, or the sheer thrill of a high-stakes climb, these games promise to test your patience and reward your perseverance in 2026 and beyond. So, grab your mouse, your controller, or your keyboard, and prepare to get over it... again.
