Game Information
Game Title: Cairn
Platforms:
- PC (Jan 29, 2026)
- PlayStation 5 (Jan 29, 2026)
Trailers:
- Cairn – Official Free Solo Mode Trailer | gamescom 2025
- Cairn – Announcement Trailer | PS5 Games
- Cairn – Reveal Trailer
Developer: The Game Bakers
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic – 87 average – 91% recommended – 35 reviews
Critic Reviews
Analog Stick Gaming – Jordan Andow – 10 / 10
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.
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.
CGMagazine – Marcus Kenneth – 10 / 10
With an outstanding gameplay loop and so much freedom to climb where and how you like, Cairn is incredible.
COGconnected – Jaz Sagoo – 77 / 100
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.
Chicas Gamers – Alba Nausicáa – Spanish – 8.6 / 10
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.
Console Creatures – Bobby Pashalidis – 9 / 10
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.
DualShockers – Shane Limbaugh – 9.5 / 10
Although it isn't perfect, what makes it special is the combination of all the different elements to make something that can be meaningful to almost anyone. In the end, the game asks the most important question of all: what is your summit?
GAMES.CH – Fabrice Henz – German – 89%
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GameBlast – Farley Santos – Portuguese – 8 / 10
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.
GameGrin – Dylan Pamintuan – 9.5 / 10
Cairn is just really nice to play, with an emotionally gripping story and beautiful sights. You will struggle and get frustrated, but you will overcome whatever is in your way.
GameSpot – Moises Taveras – 9 / 10
Maybe it was just the entrancing physicality of Cairn's central climbing and survival mechanics. But at some point, whatever wall existed between myself and the game came down and I was there with Aava and she was with me.
On paper, The Game Bakers' latest game might be simplistically labeled a “climbing simulator,” but in practice, it is far more than that. Beyond offering a challenge to both Aava and the player, CAIRN delivers an epic adventure rarely seen in video games. It is a work capable of inspiring wonder, frustration, anger, and moments of calm. Yet, what lingers most is the extraordinary sense of elation when we finally overcome our repeated failures. CAIRN is yet another reminder of the talent flourishing in French studios, and of the pride we can justifiably take in them.
Gameliner – Claudia Tjia – Dutch – 3.5 / 5
Cairn is a bold, demanding climbing game whose intense sense of freedom and atmosphere leave a strong impression, but whose unforgiving design, technical issues, and sometimes frustrating controls make it best suited for players who enjoy slow, challenging simulations rather than fast-paced action.
Gamer Guides – Lexi Luddy – 95 / 100
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.
Gamer Social Club – Krystle Lim – 10 / 10
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!
GamesRadar+ – Ali Jones – 3.5 / 5
There is beauty in Cairn's golden hour-soaked world.
IGN – Will Borger – 9 / 10
Cairn would mean nothing without the journey, and like both the mountain you are challenging and the climb itself, it is an incredible one.
KonsoliFIN – Risto Karinkanta – Finnish – 4 / 5
A boldly genre-defining climbing game that will stretch your limbs and nerves.
Loot Level Chill – Kieran Singh – 8.5 / 10
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.
Manual dos Games – Nathan Manoel – Portuguese – 8.8 / 10
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 Breakers.
Mashable – Chance Townsend – 4.6 / 5
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.
PC Gamer – Shaun Prescott – 91 / 100
A brilliant climbing adventure that siphons the rage out of navigation puzzlers like Death Stranding and Baby Steps, resulting in something prickly, but warmly approachable.
Pizza Fria – Lucas de Azevedo Soares – Portuguese – 7.6 / 10
Cairn is a game that demands patience, attention, and a willingness to fail. It transforms climbing into a physical, mental, and emotional experience, asking more from the player than just quick reflexes or constant rewards. It's not an experience for everyone, but it's extremely rewarding for those who commit to it.
PlayStation Universe – James Davie – 8.5 / 10
If a harsh climbing simulator is your thing, Cairn does a great job of providing you with the treacherous conditions of an ambitious mountain climb. It's an outstanding little game in respects to how strategy and perseverance can assist you in reaching your goals and ultimately the Mount Kami summit.
Push Square – Stephen Tailby – 7 / 10
Cairn is a great climbing simulator, one that presents you with an entire mountain and complete freedom to traverse it as you please. Some light survival mechanics apply just enough pressure to push you forward, and the purposely slow pace encourages careful climbing and proper planning. Aava's expedition is simultaneously meditative and fraught with danger, with death just one slip away at all times. While we have some small reservations about the story, and the frame rate struggles to measure up to Mount Kami, those looking for a challenging, satisfying journey will find Cairn a unique adventure to conquer.
Region Free – Joonatan Itkonen – 3 / 5
Atmospheric and beautiful, Cairn is a gorgeous and emotional experience worth playing with some major reservations.
República DG – Sherman Castelo – Portuguese – 8.7 / 10
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!
Saving Content – Keenan – 5 / 5
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.
Shacknews – Sam Chandler – 9 / 10
Cairn is a phenomenal climbing game. There were times where I wanted to throw in the towel because of some minor animation hiccup, but, like Aava, I couldn’t stop. There’s this intriguing parallel at play here, one that I found myself thinking about in those moments where I needed to rest my sweaty palms and Aava needed to recharge her stamina. Neither of us could stop. We had to see it through to the end, in whatever form that took. By the time the credits rolled, I knew that Cairn would stick with me for a long time. This is a game you absolutely have to experience.
SmashPad – Danreb Victorio – 4.5 / 5
Every time I got to a base on the mountain where I could walk a little and set up camp, I'd take a look back at the distance and remember what it took to get up there. The fact that a video game can make me think all that really makes it special.
SteamDeckHQ – Noah Kupetsky – 4.5 / 5
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.
The GameSlayer – Callum Marshall – 9.5 / 10
"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."
TheSixthAxis – Gareth Chadwick – 8 / 10
Cairn is a unique, slow, and surprisingly relaxing game where you occasionally lose your grip and fall to your death. There's a heartfelt story running through the ascent to the top of the mountain, survival elements as you manage limited resources, and accurate feeling climbing, but soaking in the gorgeous environments, making discoveries and mastering the climbing are a joy. Cairn is a unique game that stands out from all the rest.
VDGMS – Darren Andrew – 9.5 / 10
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.
WayTooManyGames – Kyle Nicol – 9 / 10
Cairn is equal parts beautiful and relaxing, yet also intense and challenging. The Game Bakers have completed the mountainous task of creating a fully climbable environment to explore, and deliver what is arguably their most polished and engaging experience yet. Cairn is a unique and heartfelt game that had me hooked from beginning to end. Once you start the climb up Mount Kami, you won’t want to put it down.
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