Cairn

Cairn combines limb-based controls, visually striking graphics, and a somber tone to create an original and moving mountain-climbing adventure.

I enjoyed my time with Cairn, I really did. I wish Aava had exposed her character a little more, though. Returning to the way the game positions her, there is a lot of talk about her, and although this is subtle and understated, it could have been beneficial for her to reveal a little more of herself. That said, she is not exactly a superficial character, and Cairn is not a forgettable story about personal pride, toxic ambition, and the ability to identify bad motives in oneself and others.

Without one another, I'm sure we couldn't have reached Mt. Kami's peak and, maybe, achieved the clarity we needed to persevere. We couldn't say that a wall is just a wall, and whether it's through, over, or even under it, that we would live to see the other side.

If the idea of a tactile, survival-focused climbing experience intrigues you, Cairn’s demo is well worth a try. It’s accessible now on PC and PS5, offering a thoughtful, challenging taste of the journey ahead.

Cairn is a unique, slow, and surprisingly relaxing game where you occasionally lose your grip and fall to your death. There's a heartfelt story running through the ascent to the top of the mountain, survival elements as you manage limited resources, and accurate feeling climbing, but soaking in the gorgeous environments, making discoveries and mastering the climbing are a joy. Cairn is a unique game that stands out from all the rest.

Cairn would mean nothing without the journey, without the climb, without the moments where I faced everything Kami had to throw at me, from sheer cliffs to bad weather to climbing at night. Each time I was close to the top, I discovered the peak was farther off. And each time, I would tape up Aava’s hands, cook whatever I had, and keep going. I knew what she could handle, what she needed, how strong her grip would be, where I could take my chances.