The game boasts hyper-realistic climbing locations from around the world, and players will discover the freedom of gaming with the Rift using either an Xbox One controller or Oculus Touch controllers as they soak up their awe-inspiring surroundings.

Free solo rock climbing is one of the most intense activities in the world, and climbing rock faces without the safety net of a rope is something most people would never dare to do in real life. With VR and The Climb, anyone can get a taste of the thrill of this style of rock climbing from the comfort of their own home.

The Climb's first setting is Asia, inspired by Vietnam’s famous and picturesque Halong Bay, but also draws upon other features and landmarks from all over the continent to create an exciting rock climbing environment. There will be more settings and locations around the world too, which will be revealed in due course.

Crytek revealed today that its incoming update for The Climb will integrate support for the new Touch controllers when they launch next week – giving players the freedom to scale VR cliffs with instinctive hand movements that mirror real-world climbing. With the addition of new leaderboards for each setting, the race will be on to master the game’s environments with Oculus’ intuitive new controllers. 

The extensive game update will be free to everyone who owns The Climb, and also includes an expansive new setting inspired by the landscapes of Iceland. The wintry “North” location features snow-capped peaks, distant volcanoes, and a host of fresh challenges for players to get to grips with as they scale new heights, immerse themselves in the environment, or compete to set the best times in the world. In addition, the update introduces new player-customization options and a range of accessories designed specifically for the North setting.

The Climb’s free update will be available for players on December 6 via Oculus Home.

The Climb uses elements of the real life sport in gameplay to give players the sensation of rock climbing. For example, gameplay revolves around exploring rock faces to find a path to the top, and you must find different grips or holds, each with their own challenge, to lift yourself as you chart your own route. Rock climbing in real life is physically demanding. As athletes climb they sweat and chalk is used by climbers to return grip to sweaty hands. This is reflected in the game, as the more active you are, the more you’ll need to use chalk on your in-game hands so you can stay on the rock!

The Climb's main game mode comes with various settings and difficulty levels, and there will also be a Training mode.