Cairn Review

Platform Played: PC

Developer: The Game Bakers

Publisher: The Game Bakers

Genre: Adventure/Simulation

Completion Status (How Long to Beat): Yes (10 hours)

Cairn is a climbing simulation where players control the protagonist Aava to navigate a treacherous, unforgiving mountain face. The experience blends zen-like isolation with high-stakes tension, while exploring the deeply personal and often selfish drive behind a solitary obsession. The gameplay requires a locked-in engagement from start to finish as you control each of Aava’s limbs to find proper hand and foot holds. While the game intuitively suggests which limb to move, it grants you the freedom to choose manually; each and every movement feel meaningful and is the difference between success and failure. The game effectively indicates when Aava's position is draining her stamina, as there is an audible struggle and the screen fades to black. The player has seconds to rectify the position by finding secure holds. There is a fair amount of technical jank—like limbs clipping through the rock or ragdoll physics - but the grueling and emotional journey rarely had me reflecting on the game's issues. Taking on the mountain as a singular, looming foe carries an emotional heft unlike almost any other game I’ve played.

What sets Cairn apart is its unorthodox narrative approach; Aava’s journey is portrayed not as a heroic quest, but as a deeply selfish endeavor. She has abandoned her family and friends, leaving them to worry as she tackles a mountain that has claimed nearly every life before hers. This perspective is far more engaging than a traditional altruistic story, and I found myself embodying her obsession, thinking, "I’ve made it too far to turn back." By the end of this exhausting journey, Aava’s emotional turmoil felt earned, resulting in a powerful experience that pulls at your heartstrings and leaves a lasting impact.

Pros:

• Hypnotic and zen-like, yet incredibly tense gameplay.

• Intuitive and meaningful limb-control mechanics.

• Engaging and unique narrative.

• High emotional stakes and impactful story beats.

Cons:

• Technical jank including clipping and awkward ragdoll physics.
• Frustrating moments where the character detaches from viable holds.

One More Try Factors:

Two of the biggest signs that I’m really enjoying a game are how hard it is to stop playing and how much I’m itching to jump back in when I’m not playing.

• Difficulty to Stop Playing: 10/10
• Desire to Return: 10/10

Note: These scores reflect my personal engagement with the game and are separate from the overall score, which considers all aspects of the game.

Overall Score: 10/10