Cairn: A Climbing Adventure of Determination and Obsession

I’m not the best rock climber out there, and my fear of heights doesn’t help much. However, every time I’ve given it a shot, I’ve enjoyed the slow, deliberate process of moving from one ledge to another. It’s a lot like running; both activities let you tackle seemingly impossible goals by breaking them down into manageable steps. Cairn, a new title from The Game Bakers, is one of the few games that truly captures that essence.

In Cairn, you step into the shoes of Aava, a renowned climber determined to conquer the mountain known as Kami. You control all four of Aava’s limbs individually, searching for secure cracks, bumps, and ledges to gradually ascend, all while managing the tools and resources in your backpack. Climbing games are on the rise, but Cairn stands out from others like Jusant, where you only control the character’s hands, or Baby Steps, which takes a more humorous approach by focusing solely on the feet.

It’s been a decade since I last visited a rock-climbing gym, but the mechanics in Cairn brought back vivid memories of my time scaling walls, particularly the significance of solid footwork. Drawing from my limited experience, I’d say it’s a solid rock-climbing simulator. You can set spikes into the walls to create safety points for your rope in case you slip. A helpful robot companion retrieves the spikes once you reach a safe spot, allowing you to reuse them. Using chalk gives you a temporary grip boost, while food and drink keep you fed, hydrated, and warm.

Progress can be tough. I often found myself on edge, carefully searching for the next spot for Aava’s hand or foot. A slip can be costly; you might fall back to your last spike or even to the ground, which could mean a long climb back up, a painful wall impact, or, in the worst-case scenario, death. Weather elements like rain, wind, snow, and ice add to the challenge.

Yet, there’s a certain tranquility to it. I was incredibly focused while playing, often holding my Steam Deck close as I searched for the next step. I found myself completely immersed in the experience. As I progressed, Aava’s quest began to feel personal. When she celebrated a good grip, I shared in her relief. When she teetered on the edge of falling, her panicked breaths mirrored my rising stress. And when she fell, her frustrated shouts echoed my own feelings about the situation.

Throughout her journey, Aava encounters others who care for her, providing companionship during her largely solo adventure. However, she sometimes responds rudely or pushes them away, even taking out her frustrations on her robot companion. I could relate to her drive; like Aava, I just wanted to conquer that mountain without distractions.

I have a natural affinity for Cairn: I enjoy long runs, and there’s little more satisfying than overcoming a daunting challenge step by step. I’ve fallen out of my running routine lately, and I’ve missed it. Cairn reminded me of the possibilities that arise when you focus solely on the next step ahead — and the complex emotions that come with persevering through a quest.

Cairn is currently available for PC and PS5.