Cairn Review – A Demanding Ascent

Cairn Review

The notion of scaling an insurmountable landmark taps into the inner daredevil. It’s an alluring idea, but in reality, only a few ever achieve it. Cairn lets you live out this experience from the comfort of your living room. But does it capture the tension and anxiety of hanging on for dear life from a slender gap in the rock, or is it worth finding another route?

You play as Aava, a climber attempting to ascend the legendary Mount Kami. As no one has ever reached the summit, news outlets cover the event and communicate through your agent, Chris. Although you receive his messages, much to his frustration, you ignore his attempts to contact you, focusing instead on the task at hand. The isolation urges you onward, driven by the desire to experience something no one else can claim.

What Lies Within

As you progress, you discover remnants of an ancient civilisation that once lived along the cliffside. The environments tell the story of their lives, offering insight into their lifestyles and beliefs. You also learn about others who have attempted the climb, and the trials and tribulations they faced. While there is some explicit storytelling, the narrative is ultimately about your individual journey. Each cliff face becomes a new narrative; one you must conquer in order to reach the top.

Looking up at a mammoth natural marvel is a thrill. First, you must peruse the environment, working out your route after observing each small crack and ledge on the cliff face, then comes the giant task of making the climb. Routes are determined by you, allowing you to weigh up the pros and cons of every avenue. The freedom is exhilarating. There’s no predetermined path, which allows you to try one way, then pivot into a new direction to reach your destination.

Spotting you is the Climbot who hands and collects pitons and supports your survival in dangerous situations. You control each limb, placing it exactly where you want to ensure you have a steady base as you slowly move up the mountain. If you’re not in a safe position, the body part shakes, allowing you to reposition before falling to certain death. The use of haptic feedback adds to the tension, as each shudder in your muscle is replicated in the vibrations, prompting a quick reaction. Inserting pitons into the rock face is vital to not lose progress, as this anchors you in position. Using this allows you to recover stamina and work out your next path forward.

Far Reaching

Aava’s movement can feel slightly comical, largely due to her exaggerated range of motion. While this makes sense from a gameplay perspective, as you need to reach different parts of the cliff face, it detracts from some of the realism the game otherwise strives for. Adding to that realism are the survival elements. Some aspects enhance the experience, helping to create an enthralling simulator, while others introduce tedium rather than excitement. The day/night cycle is wonderful and truly captures the arduous task of scaling nature. Starting at the bottom in the morning and reaching the summit as midnight hits is a genuine thrill. Weather also affects your ascent, as rain makes surfaces slippery and strong winds require you to brace before continuing.

While these elements largely improve the climb, the survival mechanics can overcomplicate matters, pulling focus away from your primary objective. Frustration quickly grows when balancing thirst, tiredness, and other needs. Luckily, The Game Bakers give you the option to tailor the experience, allowing you to choose which elements to include. If you want to focus purely on climbing, you can do that, but if you’re after a true survival experience, that option is there too.

Stunning But Stutters

The minimalist, cell-shaded visuals are breathtaking. Starry nights back the natural environments, creating beautiful vistas that echo the peace and tranquility of nature. Unfortunately, the game’s performance hinders this as regular drops in framerate pull you out of those serene moments, disrupting the sense of immersion. Odd glitches can also crop up as the Climbot can disappear into the terrain and you can even get stuck in crevices.

Cairn accurately captures the thrill and intensity of scaling a mountain. Each tentative step communicates the danger of the climb, forcing you to constantly readjust and take calculated risks to succeed. Aava’s flexibility benefits the gameplay, though it can look awkward in execution. While the game’s visuals and overall design are wonderful, performance issues, such as regular framerate drops and odd bugs, occasionally hinder the experience. Even though there are a few kinks in the equipment, this is a great ascent for those seeking a truly unique adventure.

***A PlayStation 5 review code was provided by the publisher***