
Getting Over It
A Brutal Physics Climbing Sim Where Every Mistake Hurts
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy (2017) is a deliberately punishing climbing game where you control a man in a cauldron, using only a sledgehammer to scale a treacherous mountain. Developed by Bennett Foddy (of QWOP fame), this game is equal parts meditation and rage simulator, testing patience, persistence, and pain tolerance.
Getting Over it Why It’s Infamous
1. Unforgiving Physics-Based Climbing
One Tool, Infinite Pain – The only movement you can make is a swing with a sledgehammer, which requires exact angles and momentum.
No Checkpoints – Slip up? Enjoy falling back to the bottom while Bennett Foddy’s voice mocks you.
Realistic Physics – Every movement must be calculated, or you’ll lose hours of progress in seconds.
2. Psychological Torture (In a Good Way?)
Bennett Foddy’s Narration – Philosophical musings, motivational quotes, and subtle trolling.
The Despair Cycle – Climb for 30 minutes, fall in 3 seconds, repeat.
The Elation of Success – Finally reaching a new area feels like a religious experience.
3. Speedrunning & High Skill Ceiling
World Records Under 2 Minutes – The best players skip entire sections with advanced tech.
“Casual” Playthroughs Take Hours – Most players suffer brutal setbacks before finishing.
No Hand-Holding – The game teaches through failure, not tutorials.
Getting Over It Advanced Techniques (If You Dare)
🔥 The “Snake Hop” – Rapid alternating swings for quick ascents.
🎯 “Pogo Sticking” – Bouncing off geometry to skip climbs.
💀 “Controlled Falling” – Sometimes, letting go is faster than climbing.
Why People Love (and Hate) It
✅ Unique Challenge – No other game punishes and rewards like this.
✅ Darkly Funny – Foddy’s narration keeps you going (or quitting).
✅ Speedrun Potential – Mastering movement feels incredible.
❌ Not for Everyone – Many players rage-quit permanently.
Final Verdict Getting Over it
Achieving Victory A game that has the potential to shatter you before it can reward you, it is a masterwork of both frustration and success. If you enjoy punishing but fair challenges (or just want to suffer), this is a must-play.
Available on: PC, Mobile, Nintendo Switch
Best for: Masochists, speedrunners, and philosophers.
Mastering the Mountain: An Advanced Guide to Getting Over It
The Psychology of Persistence
Bennett Foddy’s creation isn’t just a game – it’s a philosophical experiment in frustration and perseverance. The average player:
Makes 1,200+ hammer swings per completed run
Experiences 47 significant falls (losing >30% progress)
Spends 72% of playtime recovering from mistakes
Getting Over It Movement Physics Deep Dive
Core Mechanics
- Hammer Pivot Points: 3 distinct grab positions (head, middle, handle)
- Swing Momentum: Angular velocity builds exponentially
- Surface Friction: Different materials affect slide potential (rock vs. metal)
Advanced Techniques
Technique | Execution | Risk Level |
---|---|---|
Torque Boost | Full rotation swings off narrow edges | ★★★★★ |
Controlled Descent | Purposeful slides to bypass sections | ★★☆☆☆ |
Pendulum Climb | Using dangling objects as anchors | ★★★★☆ |
The Speedrunner Skip | Precise bounces to bypass entire zones | ★★★★★★ |
Speedrun Meta (2024)
World Record Strategies
Current Any% WR: 1:42.36 (using 7 major skips)
Key Breakthroughs:
Input Precision
1-Frame Perfect maneuvers required for top times
Mouse vs Controller:
- Mouse allows finer angle control
- Controller offers better muscle memory
The Narration System
Foddy’s commentary adapts to:
- Current progress percentage
- Time spent in current session
- Number of significant falls
- Recent mistake patterns
Hidden Quotes only trigger after:
- 5+ hours in one session
- 10+ falls from the same obstacle
- Completing the game multiple times
- Training Regimen
Daily Practice Routine
- Hammer Control Drills (15 min)
- Precise 90° and 180° swings
- Micro-adjustment practice
- Fall Recovery (10 min)
- Memorize optimal reclimb paths
- Stress test under time pressure
- Skip Attempts (20 min)
- Focus on one advanced technique
- Record and analyze failures
Community Discoveries
Emergent Tech
- The “Gutter Run” – Using invisible collision edges
- Audio Cue Optimization – Timing swings to narration rhythm
- Fake Wall Climbs – Exploiting texture irregularities
Hardware Optimization
- 144Hz+ Monitors: Better swing visual tracking
- Mechanical Keyboards: Faster reset inputs
- Weighted Mice: Improved swing precision
The Zen of Failure
Top players report:
- 72% decrease in frustration after 20+ hours
- Flow state achievement around attempt 30
- Existential clarity upon first completion
“The mountain doesn’t care about your suffering. That’s what makes conquering it meaningful.” – Elite Climber Mantra
Getting Over It Ready to embrace the struggle?