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Cairn

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2026

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Quick resume

Reach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi and Haven. Climb anywhere and plan your route carefully, managing pitons and resources to survive unforgiving Mount Kami. Discover what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve the ascent of a lifetime.

Global score

94/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Sport

Pros

  • Realistic and challenging climbing mechanics
  • Beautiful art style and immersive soundtrack
  • Engaging and emotional story
  • High replayability with multiple routes and secrets
  • Strong sense of exploration and discovery

Cons

  • Performance issues on some hardware
  • Auto limb selection can be frustrating
  • Some minor bugs and physics glitches
  • Main character personality not liked by all
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players control each limb individually with options for manual or automatic limb selection, allowing personal decision-making and route choice."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game offers challenging climbing mechanics requiring skill, precision, and problem-solving, with feedback on performance and mastery."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on personal pace, exploration, and self-set goals without leaderboards or direct player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation
    4

    "High replayability with multiple routes, secrets, and story elements encourages long sessions and habitual play."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on individual climbing and survival without multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players choose their own climbing routes and strategies, and manage inventory creatively, though within defined game systems."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are solo and respectful."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Strong immersion in a calming yet tense mountain environment provides escape from real-life stress and distraction."

  • Expectation
    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal desire to explore and climb."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Players experiment with different climbing techniques, routes, and survival strategies to overcome challenges."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Emphasis on discovering new paths, hidden caves, lore, and environmental storytelling throughout the mountain."

  • Expression
    1

    "Some desire for customization expressed (e.g. wish for custom outfits), but limited in-game character expression."

  • Fantasy
    -3

    "Realistic climbing simulation with grounded story and believable characters, though some stylized elements present."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community features."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop climbing skills, learn mechanics, and improve strategies over time."

  • Health
    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players report physical strain from immersion but no exercise."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement due to challenging mechanics and survival elements."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Limited emotional connection mainly through story and character development, but no close social relationships."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate items, upgrades, and unlock new routes, progressing through the mountain and story."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Balancing moments of calm exploration with tense, challenging climbing sequences creates a flow experience."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable visuals, immersive sound design, and emotional highs and lows provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status
    -4

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal and private."

  • Story
    4

    "Engaging narrative with environmental storytelling and character development enriches the climbing experience."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Requires planning routes, managing resources, and problem-solving to overcome climbing and survival challenges."

  • Thrill
    4

    "Tense moments of risk, potential falls, and survival create suspense and adrenaline."

  • Value
    4

    "Players perceive strong value in gameplay depth, story, and replayability relative to time and cost."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No combat or destruction; focus is on constructive climbing and survival."

  • Survival
    4

    "Survival mechanics like hunger, thirst, cold, and resource management add challenge and realism."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026