When considering games based on mythology, one often thinks of renowned franchises like Hades or God of War. However, there emerges a new contender that ingeniously blends Greek myth with the peculiarities of Bennett Foddy. “Pushing It! With Sisyphus” is a game that revolves around endlessly rolling a rock up a towering hill. This task, notoriously challenging and unrewarding in the source material, becomes even more arduous in the game adaptation, as the developer mercilessly mocks you as you repeatedly fail (and fail again, and again, and again).
This game initially released on September 10th, and as of September 17th, no one has managed to conquer it. It plays a devious trick right from the start by showing you a finish line at the end of a steep hill. Sure, it’s a formidable slope to manage, and the ball has every opportunity to slip out of Sisyphus’s grasp and return to the abyss below, but it seems doable at first glance. Once you reach that first goalpost, things take a turn for the worse.
“Falling games” like the infamous “Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy” have gained popularity due to the combination of the challenge and the inevitable failure of the task at hand. “Pushing It!” (for which Bennett Foddy is not involved) revels in dangling a carrot just within sight, then yanking it out of the player’s reach at the crucial moment and laughing at the player for believing it was a genuine carrot. And if Sisyphus meets his demise on those rocky slopes, a Dark Souls-style “You Died” banner appears… only for Zeus to shock you back to life to start your eternal torment once more.
“Pushing It! with Sisyphus” is available on Steam, and its description states: “There is an end. You just probably won’t make it.” I, for sure, won’t; I’m wise enough to know when I’m outmatched. But for those who thrive on the thrill of the climb and the elusive pursuit of that end goal, this might just be the game they’ve been looking for. It’s a captivating and frustrating experience that will test the patience and determination of even the most dedicated gamers. With its unique blend of mythological elements and challenging gameplay, “Pushing It! With Sisyphus” is sure to leave a mark in the world of indie gaming.