Item: Crux: The Great Outdoors
Rating: 87
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

87/100

Crux: The Great Outdoors is a rare gem that manages to capture the technical 'flow' of rock climbing in a way few other games do. Instead of button mashing, it’s about planned movement and weight distribution. You have to think three moves ahead: where will my left hand go so my right foot can reach that small crimp? It’s a puzzle game disguised as a sports simulator.

The 'Great Outdoors' theme is beautifully executed, with serene mountain backdrops that contrast with the intense mental challenge of the climbs. The community level editor is the real standout feature here; there are thousands of player-made routes that range from relaxing scrambles to absolute nightmares. For anyone who loves bouldering or just high-quality logic puzzles, Crux is a must-have.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

I appreciate Crux because it doesn't try to be a frantic action game. It treats climbing as it should be: a puzzle of physics and stamina. You have to plan ahead, much like a game of chess. The minimalism works in its favor. It's a bit repetitive after a while, but for a mobile title, it has more integrity than most. It’s a good 'quiet' game for a conservative gamer.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Unique puzzle mechanics
Clean aesthetic
Rewarding difficulty

Slow pace isn't for everyone
Limited visual variety

Technical Report

Performance: Polished and bug-free.

Accessibility:

Audience Fit

Buy if: You like tactical puzzles and have a calm temperament.

Skip if: You want high-speed action.

Similar Games:

Getting Over It
Jusant (PC/Console)

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
Playtime: 4 hours
Status: Finished several mountains

The Game

Available on: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod

1590750590

$3.99 4+★4.1 8 reviews

Author : Benjamin Dressler

Pubish Date : Tue Apr 19 2022

Last Update Date : Fri Feb 17 2023

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.1Fri Feb 17 2023

- 3 brand new areas!
- 20 new levels!
- New graphics level for high-end phones!
- Bug fixes
TouchArcade Game of the Week: "Incredibly enjoyable.”
Droid Gamers: “A sequel to possibly the finest climbing puzzler ever created.”
Pocket Gamer: “It’s still a delight.”
Climbing is about carefully planning your route and flawless execution. In Crux you move your hands or feet to a new hold - but each hold will only let you hang on for so long. Find the sequence of moves that get you to the top and execute them! And when you've reached all the tops - beat the highscores by finishing each climb in the fewest possible moves.
- Unique time-based puzzle mechanic: Move hands and feet separately to climb the walls!
- 12 areas with over 70 levels
- Meet the challenge or chill in practice mode
- Controller support
- Beautiful, stylized landscapes & music
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
TouchArcade Game of the Week: "Incredibly enjoyable.”
Droid Gamers: “A sequel to possibly the finest climbing puzzler ever created.”
Pocket Gamer: “It’s still a delight.”
Climbing is about carefully planning your route and flawless execution. In Crux you move your hands or feet to a new hold - but each hold will only let you hang on for so long. Find the sequence of moves that get you to the top and execute them! And when you've reached all the tops - beat the highscores by finishing each climb in the fewest possible moves.
- Unique time-based puzzle mechanic: Move hands and feet separately to climb the walls!
- 12 areas with over 70 levels
- Meet the challenge or chill in practice mode
- Beautiful, stylized landscapes & music

Ratings & Reviews

4.1 out of 5 with 8 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Crux: The Great Outdoors is a technical climbing game where your mind is your greatest tool. Move your hands and feet across various holds, balancing your center of gravity to avoid falling. With over 100 handcrafted levels and a powerful level editor, Crux offers a deep simulation of bouldering strategy. Experience iconic climbing spots and join a global community of route-setters.

Features

Realistic bouldering mechanics

Vast community level library

Relaxing outdoor atmosphere

Detailed character customization

Tactical 'move-planning' gameplay

Tips

Managing Your Reach

If you find your climber 'stretching' too much, you're likely to fall. Try moving your feet higher first to bring your center of mass closer to the wall before reaching for the next handhold.

Gameplays

Creating Routes

Use the editor to place holds. A good route has a 'crux'—a specific section where the player must figure out a difficult sequence of movements to proceed.