90
A daring, innovative, and reverent videogame interpretation of climbing that manages to depict overwhelming scale without ever losing sight of the humanity that it dwarfs. Cairn is unapologetically challenging (not least if you dare to tackle the permadeath-toughened Free Solo mode) and slow paced, but delivers disproportionate satisfaction through the sense of monumental achievement you get from scaling any portion of its mountainous journey.
90
Cairn is thoughtful, challenging, and quietly powerful. It understands that sometimes the most meaningful journeys are the ones we take alone.
90
Cairn is a game that came out of nowhere and immediately grabbed my attention with its gripping story, engaging climbing and numerous threats or challenges found along the way. It’s the type of game that you think of the entire day, trying to figure out what to do next and what route you need to take. It’s a climbing game, as it is a puzzle and exploration-focused experience. It’s nice that the game runs smoothly, there’s no pressure and it’s more about your skills and determination. Cairn mimics real life when it comes to climbing, but it also keeps some interesting ideas, and it continues to be incredibly fun. Yes, it will take a while to get used to the controls, but once you get past that, you will see it’s a very solid, albeit challenging experience. It will give you around 10-15 hours of excitement and fun, along with a reason to always come back and see all the side content or secrets.
10
An incredibly awesome and concise story paired with breathtaking visuals, and that constant sense of danger really keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's been a while since I've played a game this satisfying. Every single aspect is top-notch—the gameplay, the graphics, and most importantly, the atmosphere.
10
Fantastic game. My only problem is that once you complete it you can't go back to the various checkpoints that you made. It's a great game before you go to bed. It gave me a deep appreciation for those that climb.
7
Cairn me ha gustado mucho, la verdad que todo está muy bien llevado, pero me ha dejado un sabor de boca agridulce por el tramo final. Para mí, se queda en un 7 por culpa de la frustración del **** mejor del juego es que la música está muy bien y la historia es una pasada. Consiguen algo dificilísimo: hacen que le cojas cariño a todo el mundo prácticamente sin conocerlos, lo que te mete de lleno en la piel del personaje y en su motivación para escalar. Visualmente los gráficos están bien también, acompañando genial a esa atmósfera de montaña tan inmersiva. En lo jugable, el sistema de la mochila está muy bien pensado, obligándote a gestionar tus recursos y planificar cada paso de la ascensión de forma muy realista. En general, todo el desarrollo del juego funciona de **** embargo, el gran problema viene al final. Me quejaría mucho de la dificultad del tramo final, es extremadamente complicado pasarse el juego. Los pitones (los clavos de escalada) son escasos a más no poder, y hay zonas en las que vas con poquísimos y no es nada fácil avanzar; de hecho, todo lo contrario. La cosa se vuelve cuesta arriba de forma exagerada, y todo, hasta los ganchos de la pared en los últimos tramos, se vuelve increíblemente complicado y exigente, llegando a desesperar un poco después de todo el viaje. Es un buen juego con una ambientación brutal, pero ese pico final empaña bastante la experiencia.
Cairn
Released On:
Jan 29, 2026
Metascore
Generally Favorable
86
User score
Generally Favorable
8.1
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
86
87% Positive
34 Reviews
34 Reviews
13% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jan 30, 2026
100
Cairn is thoughtful in its mechanical exploration of being a climber and it also delivers a story that pushes back on the mythology of the sport and the people that reach the highest levels. This is an essential game.
Apr 15, 2026
90
A daring, innovative, and reverent videogame interpretation of climbing that manages to depict overwhelming scale without ever losing sight of the humanity that it dwarfs. Cairn is unapologetically challenging (not least if you dare to tackle the permadeath-toughened Free Solo mode) and slow paced, but delivers disproportionate satisfaction through the sense of monumental achievement you get from scaling any portion of its mountainous journey.
User score
Generally Favorable
8.1
76% Positive
158 Ratings
158 Ratings
13% Mixed
26 Ratings
26 Ratings
12% Negative
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
Jul 31, 2026
10
An incredibly awesome and concise story paired with breathtaking visuals, and that constant sense of danger really keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's been a while since I've played a game this satisfying. Every single aspect is top-notch—the gameplay, the graphics, and most importantly, the atmosphere.
Jul 24, 2026
10
Fantastic game. My only problem is that once you complete it you can't go back to the various checkpoints that you made. It's a great game before you go to bed. It gave me a deep appreciation for those that climb.
Feb 9, 2026
90
I can’t recommend this game enough, despite its minuscule shortcomings. If you are like me and found yourself wondering what climbing a great mountain is like, then this is the experience for you. The zen-like experience of Cairn is one I implore anyone to enjoy for themselves, though, be aware of any potential urges to book a flight to Mount Everest for yourself.
Jan 29, 2026
90
Cairn may have fewer mechanics than some games, but it drills down on what's there so successfully, and regularly tests the players' resolve and accomplishment of these skills, that I was often itching for the next challenge it'd send my way.
Jan 29, 2026
85
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.
Jan 29, 2026
80
In its rousing finale, without a single word, Cairn makes me understand what was always inscrutable to me. I realize what Aava feels when looking up at Mount Kami from below. Not a grave, not even a threat, but a gateway to eternity. Powerful.
Jan 29, 2026
50
Once acclimated to the core mechanics, climbs become a series of puzzles to solve, rather than tests of might. Some sections are challenging enough to mirror Aava’s frustrations, with me cussing and shouting whenever a foot placement didn’t register properly and made me fall to the previous piston—if I had been smart enough to put one, that is. Despite the monotony, however, I remained determined to see it through. The problem is that the foundation on which Cairn bases these hardships lacks not only a stronger stability, but purpose, as well.
Apr 15, 2026
10
Cairn is a beautifully crafted game that I truly enjoyed. Its minimalist design and immersive climbing mechanics create a unique, almost meditative experience. Every move feels meaningful, making it both challenging and deeply satisfying.
Jul 19, 2026
7
Cairn me ha gustado mucho, la verdad que todo está muy bien llevado, pero me ha dejado un sabor de boca agridulce por el tramo final. Para mí, se queda en un 7 por culpa de la frustración del **** mejor del juego es que la música está muy bien y la historia es una pasada. Consiguen algo dificilísimo: hacen que le cojas cariño a todo el mundo prácticamente sin conocerlos, lo que te mete de lleno en la piel del personaje y en su motivación para escalar. Visualmente los gráficos están bien también, acompañando genial a esa atmósfera de montaña tan inmersiva. En lo jugable, el sistema de la mochila está muy bien pensado, obligándote a gestionar tus recursos y planificar cada paso de la ascensión de forma muy realista. En general, todo el desarrollo del juego funciona de **** embargo, el gran problema viene al final. Me quejaría mucho de la dificultad del tramo final, es extremadamente complicado pasarse el juego. Los pitones (los clavos de escalada) son escasos a más no poder, y hay zonas en las que vas con poquísimos y no es nada fácil avanzar; de hecho, todo lo contrario. La cosa se vuelve cuesta arriba de forma exagerada, y todo, hasta los ganchos de la pared en los últimos tramos, se vuelve increíblemente complicado y exigente, llegando a desesperar un poco después de todo el viaje. Es un buen juego con una ambientación brutal, pero ese pico final empaña bastante la experiencia.
Jul 7, 2026
7
Good but not great, I was honestly expecting a bit more. Still, pretty entertaining.
Feb 1, 2026
4
This is a really cool game that I’ve been waiting for a long time, but it has quite a few issues. First, the main character's physics. While climbing, you can get into tons of positions that would cause a real person to fall immediately, get exhausted very quickly, or are simply anatomically impossible. Second, the mountain surface structure. I often fell in spots where the character should have been able to walk calmly. Even in situations where she should lean against the wall and shimmy along the ledge, she almost always falls instead. Third, the stamina system. The calculations seem off here. Even with maxed-out stats, good grip strength, and an easy route, the character gets exhausted almost instantly if one or two limbs aren't perfectly placed on a hold.
Feb 2, 2026
1
An extremely lazy game in every sense, where even the core mechanic barely works and functions terribly. Some of the worst and most unrealistic animations I’ve ever seen - the heroine’s limb physics are literally like spaghetti. She can rotate her leg 180 degrees and, using just one toe of that leg, lift her entire body upward through her own body textures while pushing off a flat surface. .but next time she might fall while standing on a convenient ledge and keeping his feet firmly on the groundAnd this is just one case out of hundreds - the game is terrible in every aspect.
And this is not a gameplay convention, but an incredibly lazy implementation that hurts your eyes every second. On top of the gameplay, the game has lame story, graphics, style and dialogue
SummaryReach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi and Haven. As pro climber Aava, you embark on the ascent of Mount Kami, a summit that has never been reached. Along the journey, meet unexpected companions and hear from those left on the ground. Discover the mountain's history and decide what Aava... Read More
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
Initial Release Date:Jan 29, 2026
Developer:
Publisher:
