Cairn is greater than only a climbing sport. With fantastically realised characters and a thought-provoking story, it is a must-play for 2026.
Cairn is already one in every of 2026’s finest video games. (Picture: The Recreation Bakers)
Climbing and video video games are sometimes a match made in heaven. There’s simply one thing about seeing a mountain peak that makes you suppose ‘I’m wondering what the world appears to be like like from up there.’
In an open world sport like Skyrim, scaling mentioned mountain usually includes a fast jaunt and a quick journey or two earlier than you’re rewarded with the attention sweet. For those who have been hoping for a similar remedy in Cairn, suppose once more.
The newest indie title from the crew at The Recreation Bakers, Cairn is a sport that’s all concerning the journey somewhat than the vacation spot. In its comparatively quick 12-hour runtime, it not solely showcases among the most correct and fascinating climbing mechanics I’ve ever seen in a sport, but in addition packs in a tear-jerker of a story whereas it’s at it.
So what do you really do in Cairn?
Put merely, a whole lot of climbing. You’ll take management of protagonist Aava – or extra particularly, her limbs.
As you connect your self to the cliff face of the fictional mountain of Kami, you’re given free motion of one in every of Aava’s legs or arms. Utilizing the left stick to manage the place it goes, one other button press grips the wall the place you select, routinely switching to the following limb the sport reckons you’re finest off adjusting.
Placing one arm in entrance of the opposite, you’ll slowly scale your approach up the mountain whereas continuously selecting the most effective route up. The gorgeous artwork fashion of Cairn makes use of a cel-shaded aesthetic, which makes it tremendous clear the place crevices and tiny handholds lay within the in any other case sheer rock face.
Though you begin out gradual, the management scheme rapidly turns into intuitive, and there’s a guide limb choice mode for many who want a bit extra management.
What’s placing is how life-like developer The Recreation Bakers has managed to get the climbing to feel and look. I’m no knowledgeable on the sport, however I’ve dabbled within the odd little bit of bouldering, and it’s clear that the crew behind this sport has additionally finished their justifiable share with cracks and dimples within the rock completely sculpted to create difficult however do-able routes up the mountain.
Climbing in Cairn feels extraordinarily sensible whereas remaining accessible. (Picture: The Recreation Bakers)
I used to be fearful that this gameplay loop would begin to rapidly really feel repetitive, however the structure of the mountain is expertly crafted to maintain you continuously in your toes. Most of the time, I used to be having to wipe sweat from my very own palms simply watching Aava contort herself by means of essentially the most precarious of handholds, solely to make it to the following ledge by the pores and skin of her tooth.
Outdoors of the fundamental controls, Cairn is simply as a lot a puzzle sport as it’s an motion one. You’ll want to decide on your route fastidiously by pulling again the digital camera and analysing the rocks above you. Head off too far within the incorrect course and you may simply find yourself slipping down a easy cliff face.
Though there are many UI parts to point meters for Aava’s starvation, thirst and coldness, the act of climbing is remarkably stripped again. You’ll want to observe and pay attention for Aava’s cues to substantiate whether or not you’ve received a superb maintain. Depart her arms shaking for too lengthy and she or he’ll quickly take a tumble.
Falling in Cairn will not be one thing you’ll wish to do typically because the saving system will be brutal in case you’re not paying consideration. Gamers can solely save at sparsely situated Bivouac factors, which might generally be 15 to twenty minutes aside on some components of the mountain.
Aava can latch herself to the face of Kami with pitons, which require a brief and forgiving fast time occasion to drill into the wall efficiently. With a most of six at anyone time, pitons are a useful resource that should be managed, asking climbers to weigh up whether or not they need to threat the ultimate few handholds to the highest or financial institution their progress at the price of one.
Fortunately, sources aren’t too tough to return throughout in Cairn. You’ll typically discover swimming pools of water to replenish your flask and leftover scraps of meals in backpacks from climbers of occasions passed by.
Bivouac’s are an opportunity to reset in Cairn. (Picture: The Recreation Bakers)
Resting often in Bivouacs permits you to replenish every of Aava’s meters, cooking up meals and taping her bloodied fingers to take care of most grip. That is additionally a time to top off on pitons together with your trusty ClimbBot able to recycling supplies into new climbing gear and chalk.
Cairn doesn’t simply comprise a remarkably enjoyable gameplay loop, although. It’s additionally filled with coronary heart, and extremely thought upsetting.
By means of some wonderful voice performing for each Aava and the supporting forged, we study extra about why Aava is endeavor such a problem, why she’s utilizing the climb as a strategy to escape life at residence, and the emotional toll of that on each her and her family members.
As somebody who additionally finds immense reduction in utilizing train to stave off ruminating ideas, Aava’s story actually hit residence for me. It usually takes rather a lot for a online game to make me cry, however a few of Cairn’s themes had me near tears at a number of factors.
The decision
Though a easy premise, The Recreation Bakers have managed to create one thing really particular with Cairn. Climbing is one thing that I believed video games had nailed prior to now – Murderer’s Creed, Breath of the Wild and Jusant spring to thoughts – however this title blows all of these out of the water.
Throw in a heart-felt story with a protagonist that I used to be rooting for your complete climb, and also you’ve received one other indie sport for the ages. I do know it’s solely February, however Cairn has already shot to the highest of my record for potential 2026 sport of the yr contenders.
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Cairn is obtainable now on PlayStation 5 and PC.
Reviewed on PC, code offered by PR for assessment functions solely.
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