Cairn is the game that I didn’t know I wanted until I played it. The idea of combining realistic climbing and survival is brilliant and really conveys a sense of adventure.
Release Date: TBD
Genre: Survival Climbing
Developer: The Game Bakers
Publisher: The Game Bakers
Platforms: PC (reviewed), Consoles
Gameplay
The gameplay is really where the game shines. You control all four limbs of Aava and must position them well to properly scale the mountain without falling.
At first, I was afraid it would be tedious to move each limb one by one, but the game auto-selects the limb you should move next based on your posture. You can also toggle an option to choose manually.
There’s also no need for a UI, just by the shaking and breathing of your character, you’ll know if you are in a bad position.
As you climb the mountain, you can forage for food and water. Once you reach certain checkpoints, you can set up your bivouac to rest, take care of your gear, and cook some food.
This is where the survival aspect comes into play. You must manage your resources such as pitons, chalk, food, water, and medicine.
Visual and Art Style
The game puts you into a beautiful landscape with earth tones that make you focus on gameplay. The black outlines allow you to spot holds easily.
Sound and Atmosphere
The sound and music are really minimal. You hear the wind and the breathing of the character as she ascents to the summit. You are alone, and it’s pretty relaxing.
Difficulty and Replayability
The demo was pretty short, but from what was featured, the climbing will get more challenging as you progress.
The game also has great potential for speedrunners.
Final Thoughts
I will buy Cairn when it is released. If the idea of survival climbing resonates with you, I think you should give it a go!
Watch the trailer for Cairn below