Cairn Reviews
Cairn is a truly unique game with two protagonists: Aava and Mount Kami, each with a richly layered backstory waiting to be explored. The climbing is as fun as it is tense, and when you add the satisfaction of its impeccable visual and sound design, the result is a polished, well-rounded experience that fully deserves to be played. Cairn may not be for everyone, but as someone who has never been into mountain climbing, I had a great time with it. Exploring Mount Kami was a genuine pleasure, a mountain that pushes you to your limits and brings out Aava’s true nature as its co-protagonist.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Cairn is a rare journey over unforgiving rock, where each deliberate move blends tension, survival, and subtle storytelling into an intimate yet expansive adventure. The mountain demands patience, careful thought, and adaptation, rewarding curiosity with multiple paths, unexpected encounters, and small but meaningful discoveries. Even as occasional abrupt challenges remind you that no climb is without risk, the game leaves a lasting impression of a world both beautiful and relentless, where every decision carries weight and every reach feels uniquely earned.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Cairn is a difficult and sometimes punishing climbing game, forcing you to struggle with scaling a mountain, and what it means to survive doing a task that gargantuan. Those who keep at it will be treated to a great story about what people are willing to give up to achieve their goals, on top of a great sense of accomplishment once you finally reach the peak.
Like any real climb, a few mistakes are part of the process, and that’s okay. Cairn feels special, not just because of its physics-based climbing, but because it earns its place among the most rewarding hard games out there.
Cairn reaches not only the peak of its genre but the peak of gaming itself. Built on top of the foundation of climbing is one of the most beautiful, transformative experiences I’ve ever had in life, not just gaming.
Don’t be fooled by the genre. Cairn can and will grip you from start to finish. It’s a unique experience with an incredible level of immersion. The Game Bakers managed to turn a mountain into a living world, filled with stories, nuances, and details that strike directly at the player’s mind and heart. Cairn is a title you should definitely keep on your radar — so get your chalk and pitons ready to take on Mount Kami. It won’t be easy, but every second will be worth it!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Atmospheric and beautiful, Cairn is a gorgeous and emotional experience worth playing with some major reservations.
Cairn builds an experience centered on climbing as the core of its journey, where direct movement control, survival elements, and constant planning make every step forward feel earned, reinforced by a solitary and contemplative atmosphere that explores themes of perseverance and achievement. However, its strong commitment to realism can sometimes hinder the experience, as structural repetition, slow pacing in certain sections, and high difficulty may become tiring. Even so, these issues do not undermine its overall impact: Cairn remains true to its vision of portraying a demanding and deeply personal conquest, offering a memorable journey for those willing to embrace its pace and challenges.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Cairn wasn't on my list of must-play titles this year, but it needs to be on yours. It's a puzzle game disguised as a climbing game, as no two climbs ever feel the same or offer the same solution. Cairn is just this incredible game I can't put down.
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Review in German | Read full review
Cairn combines strategy and survival to create a unique experience that I want to keep coming back to. The combination of strategy and survival in climbing a treacherous mountain is well-balanced, keeping gameplay engaging and fun throughout. It can be brutal and unforgiving with how quickly you can fall, and save points are a little too scattered in some areas, but it was hard to find any moment that didn’t make me want to try climbing again. I do wish it ran better on the Steam Deck, but I would still consider it playable since it doesn’t need high framerates to be fully enjoyed. Still, I had a great time playing it in bed, and I can happily recommend it.
Cairn is an impressive climbing simulator, with systems that keep you engaged both with the climbs you have to do and with the story of its protagonist, making it another big hit from The Game Bakers.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A visually stunning climbing challenge. Capable of captivating you with its atmosphere or frustrating you with its demanding nature and slow pace. A niche experience where the true summit is personal satisfaction.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Cairn is a challenging game in more ways than one, and it won’t be for everyone. While it demands a lot from the player, what it gives in return is a deeply rewarding gameplay loop that pairs with gorgeous visuals and compelling characters for a deeply affecting story.
However, if there’s anything to take away from this review, it’s the deep emotional connection I felt during and after the climb. I felt frustration, happiness, sadness, despair, relief, and guilt. For a mostly solitary and quiet game about climbing a mountain, I learned much about myself. I may be exaggerating, I don’t know. But I loved this game! What a fantastic way to start 2026!
"Cairn is one of the most outlandish and experimental Platformers in recent memory, and that big swing pays off. The deep and nuanced climbing mechanics are engrossing and addictive to engage with, and the supplementary survival angle adds more stakes to this already grueling ascent. Some may not click with the methodical traversal, but all in all, Cairn is the best possible version of what it attempts to be. An authentic mountaineering epic that pulls no punches."
Cairn is a deceptively brutal climbing game at times, but the beautiful visuals, varied story threads and tactile mechanics ensure it's a climb worth making.
Cairn has no levels, no ability tree, and no bosses. At a quick glance, Cairn appears one dimensional, but this couldn’t be further from the truth as Cairn features a deep narrative, where you aren’t sure if you’re the hero or the villain, powerful yet subdued performances, a timeless art style and a constantly challenging gameplay loop. True to rock climbing, Cairn is definitely not for everyone, but for those willing, Cairn is an unforgettable experience that constantly rewards the player and without sounding hyperbolic, belongs in the pantheon of all-time indie greats.
Cairn is an early contender for one of the year's best experiences, with an exhilarating adventure that has players scaling a mountain in a way never before seen in gaming.
Cairn is an ambitious, systems-driven game that turns climbing into something methodical, tense, and deeply satisfying. Its technical shortcomings and slow pacing won’t work for everyone, but for players willing to embrace its deliberate design and occasional frustration, it delivers a uniquely rewarding experience that lingers long after the summit is reached.