Developer brothers Joe and Andrew Fender, best known for the indie horror hit DEVOUR, which has sold more than 7 million copies, have announced that their upcoming cooperative climbing game Sunset Summit will launch on Steam on August 21. Published by Future Friends Games, whose title CloverPit has attracted more than 5 million players, the game offers a lighthearted climbing experience that emphasizes collaboration over punishment.
Designed for one to eight players, Sunset Summit invites friends to work together as they scale towering mountains and floating sky islands before the sun sets. Unlike many climbing games that punish every mistake, players can take advantage of frequent checkpoints and instant respawns after a fall, allowing the focus to remain on teamwork, experimentation, and enjoying the journey to the top.
Players will rely on an assortment of climbing equipment to overcome obstacles. Standard climbing axes are joined by ropes and item delivery drones that let teammates assist one another across difficult sections. More unusual gear, including pogo sticks, booster pills, umbrellas, and even cans of beans, adds a playful twist to each expedition and encourages creative problem-solving throughout the climb.
Communication also plays a central role in the adventure. Groups can coordinate using proximity voice chat or walkie-talkies as they navigate multiple handcrafted routes, each offering a unique path to the summit. Players can even capture memorable moments using the game’s realistic in-game camera. While the experience is built around cooperative play, Sunset Summit also supports offline solo play for those who prefer to tackle the climb alone.
Joe Fender shared that development on Sunset Summit began in 2021 after the release of DEVOUR, as he wanted to explore something outside the horror genre. By 2023, however, he questioned whether a first-person cooperative climbing game would find an audience. The success of another climbing title, PEAK, renewed his confidence and motivated him to finish the project. According to Fender, Sunset Summit combines his passion for cooperative gameplay, climbing, and massive structures into a single adventure that he hopes players will enjoy.
Sunset Summit launches for PC via Steam on August 21.