After its reveal at Summer Game Fest, I couldn’t wait to play Cairn. With a demo out now, I made the call to jump right in! It’s one of those games where a controller isn’t just recommended — it’s essential. The tactile controls bring an immersive climbing experience, albeit with a steep learning curve.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Except Kami
You begin your journey as Aava, a formidable climber who immediately asserts her athletic prowess by stretching in ways that would make most people wince. Aava’s goal? To be the first to conquer the daunting summit of Mount Kami. Accompanying her is Climbot, a trusty little robot who not only keeps your pitons (climbing anchors) in check but also feels like an essential part of your survival kit.
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The demo kicks off in a rock climbing gym, where you’re given a tutorial on how to climb. The tricky part? Each limb is independently controlled, requiring precise movements to grab holds (using X) and climb strategically. The graphics don’t make it super easy to see holds, and sometimes limbs get lost amidst Aava’s backpack. I recommend having limbs highlighted in settings as it’s not always clear which limb you are moving.
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Mistakes are costly—missing a hold or misjudging stamina can send Aava plummeting. Fortunately, the game allows you to cancel your last action if you pick the wrong hold, but you’ll still face the constant tension of managing stamina and planning your next move carefully. The right thumbstick lets you adjust your view, which becomes critical when scaling some of the trickier sections.
A Climbing Simulator
Aava’s animation is a mix of impressive athleticism and bizarre flexibility. Watching her contort her body to reach far-off holds is both amusing and slightly unsettling. It’s clear the game leans heavily into realism. Aava carries a bulky pack, moves deliberately when not climbing, and relies on pitons to catch her if she falls. The pitons, however, only reduce the consequences of failure. A misstep can still result in Aava slamming into the rock face and losing health, or dying. After nasty falls, she does get a bit bloody, which thankfully does go away. Made me feel a tad bad.
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The survival elements in Cairn add depth to the climbing experience. Aava can set up a bivouac to rest, save progress, and recover. Here, you can manage supplies, cook meals, and repair gear. Foraging is also possible, which is a relief given the limited supply of chocolate, noodles, and water she carries. Water refilling points and a mountain overview map (accessible with the left trigger) help ease the journey, but the game never lets you forget that this is a gruelling climb.
It’s The Climb
The realism is both a strength and a weakness. While the methodical pace of the climbing feels authentic, it can also get frustrating, especially when combined with Aava’s slow walking speed and occasional awkward limb positioning. Moments of falling — whether from running out of stamina or a missed hold — are nerve-wracking and often lead to sweaty palms, a testament to the game’s tension.
You also have to wait for the ideal time to climb. I avoided climbing in the dark for obvious reasons but ended up waiting in the tent for the sun to rise so I could get better light. Don’t worry though — Aava is happy to do push ups while she waits if she’s not sleepy.
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Worth The Climb?
After completing the demo, Cairn offers a satisfying recap of your climbing path, showing every path you took, and the places you fell or died. Players can alternate this recap view at different times of day — a nice touch allowing you to appreciate the beauty of Kami’s imposing facade. Yet, the game’s intensity and slow pace make it one you might need to step away from occasionally, much like actual climbing. There’s also some jankiness when climbing and playing with limb placements and reactions, but given this is a demo, I assume this will be ironed out at launch.
After 105 minutes and about six deaths, I conclude that Cairn is an impressive, realistic simulation of climbing, made more enjoyable by its graphic beauty. It might not be for everyone, especially those who dislike slower-paced, high-stakes gameplay, but it captures the spirit of mountaineering brilliantly. If you enjoy methodical, immersive games or were drawn to the meditative yet gruelling vibe of Death Stranding, Cairn is worth a try — just don’t forget to pack your patience.
Cairn’s demo is available now on Steam until December 19th.
