New Heights: Realistic Climbing and Bouldering is a physics-based climbing simulation offering more than 280 routes spread across real-world European locations. Developed by Wikkl Works, this is a game that treats climbing not as a simplified traversal mechanic but as the entire point, modelling grip, balance, body position and hold directions to replicate the problem-solving that defines the sport.
The routes themselves are drawn from actual crags and structures across Europe, recreated through photogrammetry and drone capture. Players can work through quick boulder sessions in Fontainebleau, tackle lengthy climbs at Freÿr in Belgium that stretch to around thirty minutes, and scale old ruins of castles and chapels. The range extends to locations like Hanshelleren Cave, and some of these are places climbers might never visit in person or where climbing is restricted — New Heights opens them up without consequence. Free solo climbing and bouldering become something you can attempt from a desk rather than a cliff face.
The climbing mechanics sit at the core of everything. Each route presents what the sport calls a "problem": a sequence of movements that must account for where your weight sits, how your body is angled, and which direction a hold faces. Dynos — the explosive leaping movements climbers use to bridge gaps between holds — are also supported. The physics system governs all of this, meaning brute force won't carry you through routes that demand precise positioning. The simulation asks players to approach each ascent the way a real climber would, reading the rock and planning movements before committing.
Beyond the existing route library, New Heights ships with workshop support that gives players full creative freedom. A custom Unity-based tool allows the creation of entirely new locations from scratch, while players can also design new pitches directly on existing crags while climbing them. Pre-made holds are available for route setting, but the tool also accepts imported 3D models, meaning virtually any shape can become a climbable surface. Routes and locations can be shared with other players, expanding the game well beyond its packaged content, and new official content is added regularly.
Leaderboards provide an optional competitive layer. Players can race for the fastest times on any route, competing against friends or the broader community. New Heights accommodates those who want to chase sends against the clock and those who simply want to climb at their own pace, working through problems methodically without pressure.
There is a quieter dimension to the game as well. Wikkl Works positions it as something for climbers who are injured or otherwise unable to get on real rock: a way to maintain that connection to the sport when circumstances prevent the real thing. Whether that means working through a favourite route on a day when the weather won't cooperate or simply staying sharp between sessions on actual stone, the game serves as a bridge.
New Heights stands as a simulation shaped by people who understand what climbing feels like, not just what it looks like. The distinction shows in every mechanic that asks you to think before you move.