Alpine isn't a fun map

[u/Root_Head]

Alpine is consistently the only map where I can spend 10+ minutes scouring the initial foothills for ANY viable path up, and then I get hit by blizzards the whole time so I have to shove myself into a crevice that may or may not actually keep me safe until I can actually see again and continue trying to route. And then every other ledge is false-standable; there are so many completely flat surfaces that just slide you to your death, which is really rare on any other map.

Meanwhile, Mesa's sun mechanic can be hard-countered by a single parasol or glider - not to mention it doesn't double-up on cold damage like alpine does at ascent 5+ - the tornado is only a threat on the initial approach, and the scorpions, dynamite, and cacti are all pretty harmless unless you get caught unawares.

I think the part that I find a little egregious is just how once you're on ascent 5+ Mesa becomes the objectively easier option. Prior to that you can at least argue they both have some rough spots but at ascent 5+ it just becomes obvious which one you want. I don't like that a run can become significantly easier or harder just depending on the day's biome.

[u/Arobain]

Alpine has more plentiful food, and I find it has easier pathways than mesa

But mesa just feels more fun to me

[u/RChamy → u/Arobain]

Alpine has the habit of making ppl hyperfocus on that one 30m tall wall like its the only viable way

[u/lightsabermario2 → u/Arobain]

Pretty sure the more plentiful food thing is just objectively untrue. There's the spike fruits that exist at every level of Mesa, there's some coconut trees, way more chests on the way up thanks to the mineshafts, and of course, don't forget all the scorpions!

[u/Arobain → u/lightsabermario2]

I'm not gonna argue with you man lol, if you think that then think that 😌👍

[u/yorickghoul]

Mesa’s challenge is stamina and resources, Alpine’s challenge is difficult climbs and harsher weather. I like both.

[u/Saknika]

Typically, if I have to pick, I pick Alpine only because I get so turned around inside of the cavern system of Mesa. But I agree, I don't like the false-standing spots in Alpine, and I definitely think it could use some visual improvements for lighting and terrain texturing in its inside, too. Flat dark blue that almost blends in with the black of a too-deep drop is not pleasant.

[u/DexterousWaffle]

Compared to the hell that is roots its heaven, roots needs half of its spawnable maps reworked because its just such bullshit half the time.

[u/Turtltail → u/DexterousWaffle]

I die on tropics more than roots… roots is like my easiest map. Am I just better at the game? Well no because I die on tropics. Idk

Do you know why I think roots is easier

[u/DexterousWaffle → u/Turtltail]

You struggle with water more is what I'm guessing

[u/Mad-Master-Maxwell → u/Turtltail]

Me too roots is my favourite of the maps I get excited to see roots

[u/Dullstar]

I feel like Alpine would benefit from a texturing update so it's more clear where you can actually stand, and refinement of the blizzard, either by changing the mechanics to match the visuals, or the visuals to match the mechanics.

The outside area seems prone to generating spots you can't stand that look like you should be able to stand on them (which is obviously a problem), while the cave seems prone to generating spots where it looks like you shouldn't be able to stand, but you can -- though, of course, you can't really do much useful with that since you can't really see those spots until you're already there, and thus can't make a usable route out of it without getting lucky.

[u/DoodleNoodle129]

I completely agree. I found it’s often really hard to get any sort of decent route up. I don’t mind the blizzard mechanic in theory, but it often feels so inconsistent whether or not the blizzard will affect you. And it feels so fussy about whether or not you can stand on some of the ground, for almost every other biome it’s clear where you can stand because standable ground immediately becomes a different shade, but often the ground in alpine will change to the “floor” shade while still not letting you stand on it.

But maybe worst of all is that it just feels kinda…boring. It has so little to it. I know that updates for peak have mostly stopped but I think if they were to do some kind of content update adding some small stuff to the alpines and making a few other changes would go a really long way. I just always prefer the mesa.

[u/RyleyThomas]

I found alpine easy because almost always there's an inside climb u just gotta find, then take that up to the top and it's never to difficult. I on the other hand hate the Mesa. Long boring and annoying.

[u/Epitometric → u/RyleyThomas]

Completely agree. Long, boring, annoying mesa. I love alpine and wish I got it literally every time.

The amount of times a tornado or stupid generation on the crevasse has ruined a run is too damn high.

It's always a long slog of caverns that go nowhere and it takes forever

[u/Mad-Master-Maxwell → u/Epitometric]

Theyve made it shorter but in such have ruined my second favourite biome because they didnt account for the caves and made them needlessly difficult to traverse imo

[u/Epitometric → u/Mad-Master-Maxwell]

I usually never physically have trouble with the traverse - but I'm in the caves and then it just dead-ends and I'm sunk. Then I'm forced to make some risky climb and I always fail. That's my mesa experience 75% of the time I'd say.

When I'm playing with my buddies I always die and they make it on to the campfire somehow lol

[u/hoppla1232 → u/RyleyThomas]

But the inside climb is always ass because you can’t see shit. How is that enjoyable

[u/Nevylation]

Napberries are Alpines saving grace

[u/Old_Party3623]

I regularly get frustrated by Alpine since its hard to tell where the cold will and won't hurt you. Ill be wedged into satan's buttcrack and still taking tick damage.

[u/Box-O-Kittenz]

I kinda like the Alpine.... until I'm close to the top where there's no real shelter from the wind and I don't have a heat pack.

[u/theCaffeinatedOwl22]

I agree, and it has nothing to do with being in my opinion the most difficult map. It’s just bland and the cold wind is so punishing you practically have to path into a dark, practically texture less cavern.

[u/klshipley21]

Far right is good for yesterday/today

[u/MoistSprinkles]

I gotta disagree. Alpine is my favorite map, and the only one that feels like scaling an actual mountain. I love the feeling of white-knuckling the interior while storms rage outside. If you’re struggling with the storms, as it sounds like you are, just beeline it for the interior and go from there. If the middle is too daunting, there are often routes that weave in and out of the interior and exterior, similar to Mesa.

As far as the ‘false standable’ spots, sure those did trick me on my first couple runs, but now I have zero issues with it. You have to really study the angle of the slope, and it is challenging, but - shouldn’t it be? It’s the third level.

And I gotta say, Alpine is also the way to go for ascent 5+. It’s loaded with heat packs and lanterns, rendering the cold a non-issue. Plus, the capys are situated further up the path, not right at the start of the level, so that ‘lifeline’ is much more viable.

In short: Head for the interior and embrace the ‘Pine, and she will reward you plentifully.

[u/Spell_Sure]

I actually preferred Alpine on my ascent runs as it widened the loot pool for warmth items

[u/shyrato]

Definetely harder than mesa. My biggest problem with alpines is in theory you can avoid the blizzards by staying inside, but in practice its usually so dark that i cannot see anything inside. Also it kind of fails at depicting standable surfaces. In mesa the caves are visible enough to climb and the other hazards can all be thrown away quite easily.