PEAK throws you into a series of harsh, ever-changing environments where every step counts. From peaceful shores to scorching lava fields, each biome tests your survival instincts in unique ways. This guide covers all five zones in detail, highlighting key dangers and smart strategies to help you push through. Whether you’re new or experienced, these tips will keep you climbing strong all the way to the summit.
Shores – The Gentle Beginning
You start your journey in PEAK on the beach of the Shores biome, right beside the remains of a plane crash. This area acts as the tutorial zone—it’s not too dangerous and offers a soft entry into the game’s mechanics. Begin by checking the luggage container near the wreckage for some essential supplies. From there, walk along the beach, grab more luggage as you find it, and begin your climb toward the island’s first summit.
Early Hazards to Watch For
Although this zone is considered safe, it’s not entirely hazard-free. As you scale the slopes, keep an eye out for environmental threats that can quietly sabotage your progress:
- Spiky sea urchins are scattered around the sand and cling to cliff faces. Touching them inflicts both direct damage and poison.
- Some plants and consumables glow with unusual colors—particularly purple or neon green. These are poisonous and should be avoided.
- Rarely, you’ll spot patches of explosive spores. They not only poison you but can launch your character off the mountain.
- Bridges can suddenly collapse. If you hear loud creaking while crossing, quickly head to the closest side and be ready to climb the wall to avoid falling.
Why Shores is the Best Place to Learn
Despite these dangers, Shores remains the easiest biome to navigate and gives you a chance to get comfortable with basic climbing and survival. It’s your first true test in PEAK, so take your time, gather resources, and practice safe movement before heading into more dangerous areas.
Tropics – The Real Test Begins
Moving on from the tranquility of Shores, you’ll enter the Tropics—a more demanding and chaotic environment. This biome introduces many more hazards and a tougher climb, challenging your ability to plan and adapt. You’ll encounter bursts of rain, an increased chance of poison-related threats, and aggressive environmental hazards.
Before entering, it’s worth climbing to a higher vantage point at the Shores campfire. From there, you can get a good look at the island layout and identify a manageable path upward.
Key Dangers in the Tropics
- Rainstorms reduce grip, making outdoor climbing dangerous. Stick to covered or short climbs when it’s wet.
- Beehives often hang from trees and may appear in pairs. Getting too close will trigger aggressive swarms.
- Poisonous plants, spores, and sea urchins appear more frequently than in Shores.
- Vines and tree trunks offer alternate routes, but walking on vines is risky and may cause a fall.
- Tropics introduces a faster pace and heavier resource management. Use teamwork, preserve stamina, and constantly scan your surroundings to stay alive.
Alpine – The Frozen Climb
Alpine shifts the tone again. Gone are the rain and poison—here, the cold becomes your biggest enemy. As you ascend the snow-covered mountains, freezing winds roll in at regular intervals, threatening you with the Frostbite status effect. Surviving in this biome is less about dodging hazards and more about managing exposure to the cold.
The blizzards that sweep through Alpine can only be blocked by actual mountain terrain. Don’t rely on trees or debris for cover—they won’t protect you. You’ll need to plan each stretch of climbing around the timing of these freezing gusts.
Surviving the Cold Winds
- If you’ve brought the Lantern from the plane wreck in Shores, it can help you here. Standing near it and activating a charge will reduce your Frostbite meter.
- Heat Packs, if you found any earlier, are incredibly helpful and should be saved for this moment.
- Blue ice crystals and other freezing surfaces will accelerate Frostbite buildup. Avoid them when possible.
- Alpine doesn’t offer much food, but Winterberry bushes can be found here and there. They’re your main source of hunger recovery in this biome.
- Occasionally, you’ll come across a hot spring with capybaras soaking inside. Resting in one will fully protect you from the cold.
Despite its dangers, Alpine is very manageable if you stay warm, move between shelter points, and avoid touching icy surfaces for too long.
Caldera – Into the Fire
Caldera turns the game on its head—literally. Instead of climbing up, you’ll be navigating horizontally across lava-filled terrain. The landscape consists of floating rock islands suspended over deadly magma, and your job is to move across them while avoiding fire damage and rising lava.
Here, timing is everything. The lava level fluctuates, creating brief opportunities to cross from one area to another. When the lava sinks, make your move—but don’t stick around at the lower levels too long, or you’ll be consumed in seconds.
Important Points to Remember
- Fire zones can erupt unexpectedly and deal AoE (area-of-effect) damage. These burns drain your stamina and can leave you vulnerable.
- Chains often link rock platforms together. You can use them to swing or zip across large gaps without spending much stamina.
- Tools like Chain Launchers, Pitons, and Shelf Shrooms are extremely useful here, letting you create alternate routes across the lava fields.
- If you jump onto a chain from a higher point, your momentum will carry you forward quickly—but be sure you can land safely.
Caldera demands fast decision-making, precise movement, and creative use of tools. It’s a tough zone, but also one of the most exciting and dynamic.
The Kiln – The Final Test
The Kiln is PEAK’s final and most punishing biome. After navigating the fire-streaked chaos of Caldera, you’ll enter a ruined cave system that descends deep into the volcano’s core. The environment here is fully enclosed, making the space feel tight, oppressive, and more demanding than anything you’ve faced before.
What to Expect Inside the Volcano
- The climb begins with a relatively manageable section—plenty of footholds and rest spots allow you to recover stamina.
- Once you reach the midpoint, everything ramps up. The gaps between platforms grow wider, lava flow speeds up, and safe ledges become fewer and farther between.
- The claustrophobic layout and steep, punishing design make quick thinking and precise movement essential.
Crucial Tools and Items
- Save energy-boosting consumables like lollipops, energy drinks, or rare stamina snacks for this biome. You’ll need the extra power for long, continuous climbs.
- Be aware of side effects—some boosters may cause drowsiness or stamina crashes after their effects wear off, so use them with caution.
- Chain Launchers and ropes are lifesavers here, allowing you to bypass walls, bridge large chasms, or recover from a bad path choice.
Reaching the Peak
After conquering the brutal inner climb, you’ll emerge onto a final, isolated island near the top of the volcano. This area is known as The Peak. Your journey ends here—climb the last stretch to the summit and launch the signal flare to call in the helicopter and complete your run.
