Artist /Filmmaker
The Ascent
Developed by Ziyi Wang (alone)
This game is a story about the pointless chase for outside approval.
You play as a lone character in a yellow suit, living in a dark, futuristic "City of Fear." This city is like a pressure-cooker society where everyone competes and dreams of a better life high above them, the shining "City of Dreams". Everyone thinks reaching this place will bring them endless wealth and happiness.
So, your character climbs. He jumps on breaking platforms(unreliable chances) and collects coins (meaningless rewards), always afraid of falling and losing all progress(total failure).
But when he finally, tiredly, reaches the top...there is nothing there.
No treasure, no congratulations. Just empty space. The promised "dream" was a lie all along.
The Ascent is a game about a society obsessed with climbing to the top.
The City of Fear: This is the stressful, everyday grind. It's about long hours, constant competition, and the fear of falling behind.
The City of Dreams: This is the "success" we are promised: wealth, fame, and happiness. But is it real, or just an illusion?
The Climb: The gameplay feels like a constant struggle. You must be careful, because any progress can be lost in an instant.
Fake Platforms & Gold: These are the empty rewards in life, like a job title that doesn't make you happy or buying things that don't fulfill you.
The Fall: This is the fear of failure. In life and in the game, one mistake can make you lose everything you've worked for. The game asks one simple question: Is the dream of "making it" to the top worth the constant fear and struggle of the climb?
