Cairn

Cairn is something truly special. A game that makes you climb in isolation, giving you and Aava time for quiet contemplation, enough so that you feel the embodiment of the character and can’t help but face her struggles like they were your own. With an outstanding gameplay loop and so much freedom to climb where and how you like, Cairn is incredible.

Cairn is just really nice to play, with an emotionally gripping story and beautiful sights. You will struggle and get frustrated, but you will overcome whatever is in your way.

There’s a popular trope in media that the lone hero who persists against all odds should be celebrated without limits, and that any amount of endurance and sacrifice is worth it to surpass and succeed, no matter the cost to self or others. Cairn is the rare narrative that says something more nuanced, simultaneously celebrating the triumph against seemingly impossible odds, while also painting the painful picture of obsession and selfishness that are often left unspoken. That would be notewo...

A brilliant climbing adventure that siphons the rage out of navigation puzzlers like Death Stranding and Baby Steps, resulting in something prickly, but warmly approachable.

Cairn is a magical zen journey into the world of mountaineering. The story is quite compelling with its subtle nature, the visuals utilize the cel-shaded art style beautifully, and the gameplay is perfectly satisfying, making the mechanics of climbing and managing your health feel challenging and fun. While there are some physics glitches, these problems are minor compared to just how good the overall game is.

The Game Bakers are one of those indie developers that I will always look forward to what’s coming next from them. It all started off in 2016 with the fantastic “1-Hit Kill Boss Rush” game Furi, which was tough, stylish and unique at the time. Since then, every game The Game Bakers have put out has offered something vastly different, from their smaller Squids Odyssey to their captivating Haven. Their latest game asks one simple question: What if Death Stranding was about heights, not di...

If a harsh climbing simulator is your thing, Cairn does a great job of providing you with the treacherous conditions of an ambitious mountain climb. It's an outstanding little game in respects to how strategy and perseverance can assist you in reaching your goals and ultimately the Mount Kami summit.

Cairn is a deceptively brutal climbing game at times, but the beautiful visuals, varied story threads and tactile mechanics ensure it's a climb worth making.

Cairn is an extremely good and beautifully made climbing game that is exceptional at executing the one specific thing it's trying to recreate. If you go in knowing that and are on board with it, then you'll find a tough yet massively rewarding experience, but some frustrations could cause others to completely bounce off it.

If players stick to the standard difficulty, they’re in for a tough experience, but that’s part of the appeal. It often feels like you might not make it, but then you do. When that breakthrough moment happens, the satisfaction hits hard, especially when it’s paired with a beautiful skyline as a reward.

A flawed but brilliant mountaineering game that splices survival gameplay and a fascinating four-limb climbing system with exploration, risk-taking, and the emotional fallout from a climber’s loved ones.

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