Cairn Is The Best Climbing Game Out There

"Happy Cairn Day everybody. If you're wondering whether you should buy this game, or if it does the sport of rock climbing justice—especially if you played the demo—then the answer is a resounding YES."

This game will knock your socks off. Wait, why isn't Ava wearing anything on her feet? Never mind closer inspection. This free spirit, Ava, is determined to be the first person to summit Mount Kami, no matter what it takes.

1. The Mountain Throws Everything At You

Cairn ensures you feel the struggle. It throws the full extent of bad weather, wild animals, extreme hunger, thirst, and broken pitons your way. It pushes you to the limit right alongside Ava.

Accompanying you is the ever-reliable (and slightly rusty) Climbot. It's there to retrieve pitons, hold excess rope, and make you feel a little less lonely on the wall.

An Open-Ended Puzzle

Think of this not just as a simulation, but as an open-ended puzzle game.

• No set way up: There are markers, but you decide the route.
• Victories are earned: Each individual climb is like a level. Some teach new techniques; others will screw you over until you snap out of it.
• Compounding Choices: One misstep or a break to catch your breath can lead to legs shaking like a leaf, or you flying high in the flow state.

2. Flow vs. Focus

Cairn does a great job at letting you get into a nice flow state, but that lowers your guard. You stop thinking of every limb movement as a life-or-death choice—which they definitely are.

You need to think about short-term grabs and long-term route planning, especially regarding piton placement since you have a limited amount.

Auto vs. Manual Limbs

• Auto Limb Selection: The default. Automatically selects the limb with the least weight. Sometimes results in a "weird little loop" of shuffling, but mostly works fine (arm, arm, leg, leg).
• Manual Selection: Gives you total control. Great for seasoned players who want to avoid janky positioning.

3. Immersion and "The Vibe"

Mount Kami has never been summited, but it's full of traces of the past. Humans, critters, and robots inhabit this space. It's a meditative, personal experience—just you and nature.

A Surprising Amount of Story

The story is told efficiently through:

1. Cutscenes
2. Voicemails (Ava receives them through Climbot)

The voice acting is top-notch. Hearing Sammy scream "You gave your robot a name?!" brings a smile even when you're hanging by a fingertip.

Small Moments of Wonder

• Robot Raves: Yes, there is a lonely robot rave in a cave.
• Side Quests: Characters won't give you a quest log. You have to listen and remember. "Hey, I had a letter for you."
• Scavenger Hunts: Challenging treasure maps are available for those who want to explore further.

4. Genius Inventory Management

The space-based inventory (think "Tetris" but with physics) is genius.

• Items pile on top of each other.
• Consume something from the bottom? The rest topple down.
• Trash Management: Used water bottles take up space as trash. You can hand them to Climbot to turn into chalk.
• Shake It Up: You can literally shake your bag to try and make space for that one last item.

5. Survival Details That Matter

Survival feels balanced. Finding food isn't impossible, but you have to choose what to carry.

• Cooking: Combine items (Tea bag + water, Noodles + water) for better stats.
• Fishing Minigame: No rod, no net. You use Ava's hands.
• Bivouac: The relief of setting up a temporary shelter, taping up damaged fingers, and cooking a warm meal is palpable.

Conclusion: The Best Climbing Game?

The title says it all: Cairn is the best climbing game out there.

It captures the spirit of adventure and discovery. It forces you to pace yourself, respect the mountain, and learn from it.

When Ava falls, it's on you. And when you finally reach the summit, that victory is yours alone.

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Source: YouTube Channel nocaps