From the opening moments on Mount Kami, Cairn insists you think like a climber rather than a gamer. The Game Bakers’ newest project strips away bells and whistles and places you, as Aava, squarely on a near-vertical rock face, pondering every reach and shift in balance as if survival itself depends on it – because it does. What might read as a simple ascent narrative slowly blooms into something richer: a meditation on obsession, solitude, and the psychology of persistence. Unlike many story-heavy titles, the narrative here is sparse but evocative, delivered through occasional character encounters, inscriptions on stone, and the weight of silence itself. In its own measured way, Cairn finds emotional depth without ever forcing it – and that restraint proves one of its subtle strengths.
Mechanically, Cairn is unforgiving in the best possible way. You don’t sprint up ledges or perform heroic leaps. Instead, every limb placement is calculated, and every shift in weight demands attention. The controls aren’t traditional “jump-and-run” fare; they embody the tactile struggle of alpinism, with the game automatically suggesting which limb to move but allowing manual overrides for finer strategy. This system rewards patience and careful planning, making successful progression feel earned rather than handed to you. There’s a satisfying rhythm to the act of climbing that few games have truly captured, and in Cairn it’s central to the experience. However, this same depth of simulation can feel opaque at first, and the learning curve is steep – some players may find the initial adjustment period frustrating until they internalize both movement and momentum.
Survival isn’t just a tag slapped onto the genre here; it’s woven into every moment. Managing hunger, thirst, frost, and gear becomes as crucial as finding your next hold. The mountain isn’t merely a backdrop but a character in its own right, threatening with unpredictable weather and demanding careful resource allocation at every turn. These survival layers add significant texture to the climb, making even mundane sections feel tense and consequential. Yet this meticulousness comes at a price: the relentless focus on realism can sometimes slow pacing to a crawl, and segments of extended climbing without meaningful variation can feel repetitive, even for those invested in the core idea.
On PlayStation 5, Cairn presents a bit of a mixed bag from a technical standpoint. The visuals – particularly the stylised environments and sweeping vistas – are a highlight, turning each precarious ledge into a contemplative postcard of isolation and scale. The environmental design is quietly breathtaking and rewards those willing to explore off the beaten path. That beauty doesn’t always translate into technical consistency, though. Frame rate drops and occasional stutters can interrupt immersion, especially during more demanding climbs where precision matters most. A handful of minor collision and animation quirks further remind you that this is an ambitious indie project pushing its engine hard and perhaps in need of a few patches.
The audio complements the visuals and gameplay with understated excellence. The soundtrack and sound design blend subtle atmospheric tones with the breath and strain of the climb, elevating moments of solitude into something almost poetic. Music cues arrive sparingly but meaningfully, enhancing reflection rather than overwhelming the senses. Simple elements like wind, rock impacts, and Aava’s exertion are woven into an auditory landscape that deepens engagement and underscores the stakes of every ascent.
Narratively, Aava’s journey is less about dramatic twists and more about internal transformation. The sparse storytelling leaves space for personal interpretation, allowing players to project their own motivations and doubts onto their quest. While this may feel too minimal for those craving a more cinematic arc, it reinforces the game’s thematic core: confronting obsession, questioning ambition, and reckoning with the cost of pushing ever higher.
Cairn isn’t a game for everyone. Its deliberate pacing, demanding mechanics, and heavy emphasis on realism will reward perseverance but test patience. Yet for players willing to embrace its philosophy, it offers one of the most thoughtful and immersive climbing experiences ever created in interactive form. By turning the act of ascent into both a physical challenge and an emotional journey, The Game Bakers have delivered a striking and memorable adventure that lingers long after the summit is reached.
Score: 8.6/10
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