Cairn Climbing Game: What Reddit Really Thinks

I spent months waiting for this game after playing demo last year, and its somehow better than expected. A truly unique and beautiful game, you can really feel they put a ton of effort into it

As an avid outdoor climber and occasional gamer, these developers get it. One of the best games ever for capturing a feeling of a real activity

I'm loving what I've played so far, but the auto-select for the limb control is janky AF, and at least 50% of the time it selects a limb that I don't want to move yet.

Completely agree. I'm getting a similar kind of vibe playing this game than doing actual climbing. Of course it's not an accurate simulator, but I think they've captured some of the feel.

As a fellow outdoorsman, I can confidently state that I've never played a game that captures the thrill of boiling noodles in a freezing tent quite like Cairn.

It's incredibly fun, but god damn if hitting The Wall isn't one hell of a patience filter. It's not really that difficult, it's just annoyingly long. That's really my only major criticism.

Honestly reminds me of how it felt to play Skate after playing Tony Hawk games throughout my childhood. I thought 'this was developed by people who have skateboarded' and feel the same about Cairn

I fucking loved that section. Felt like the entire game up to that point had been the lessons, and that was the test.

It looks fantastic and I hope it does well but I don't think I have the patience for it.

I'm hoping they'll drop a patch for the performance sometime

I'm enjoying Cairn a lot. Not just the climbing mechanics, though they're pretty good. Mostly it's just that sense of wonderment and exploration. I'm motivated to climb because I want to know what's around the corner.

This game inspired me to go out and get a climbing gym membership two weeks ago, and I've been having a blast with what is hopefully my new hobby.

Can't wait to play this, this week. Played it during a next fest ages ago and it's so good.

9/10. Aava is awful at smearing and that's why she should wear climbing shoes.

There are various assists you can turn on to tune the difficulty (no survival elements, infinite pitons, etc.)

It's good but the game has some perverse incentives to how you use some of the core items. Hitting the chalk button being an excellent way to arrest an immediate fall for example.

Game took me by surprise. I loved it. I'd have really liked her to be a bit more affected by gravity, with barn doors etc so that body position mattered more than it does, but this is probably the best the mechanics could be without alienating non climbers.

Couldn't put the demo down. Definitely picking this up day 1.

As a rockclimber (indoor), this games controls and physics seemed to really make sense to me. Most of the time, if you put yourself in some interesting holds and grips that you would do IRL and use your legs as your main source of balance and strength, you'll be fine. It was cool to see how I would likely approach a problem and then it translates in the game.

Its a good chimney simulator. Not being able to 'hook' with the feet is a little frustrating at times but finding a good crack line is excellent. Glad i could turn off the thirst/hunger too. Just don't find those kind of survival mechanics compelling in a game.

Best climbing game so far and just generally very addicting mechanically. Can't wait.

Super cool game but definitely rage inducing at times

The ending hit me like a ton of bricks. An absolutely gorgeous game. Came for the climbing gameplay, stayed for the story, music and journey. 10/10 in my eyes too. One of my favourite indies now hands down.

Love this game although sometimes the controls can be frustrating when you start moving a limb you didn't intend to. Also really wish you could toe/heel hook. Really any complaints I have are just nit picky, overall its a great game and as good a climbing game as I could have ever hoped for. 10/10 would reccomend.

The only negative I have is that some of the mechanics feel inconsistent. Sometimes I will be on an over vert pitch and have good holds and stamina drain will function as expected. Other times I will be on what looks like a v2 with good holds and the character is shaking like a leaf out of no where.

I just went from never having heard of this game to finishing the demo in one sitting and having it be my most anticipated release behind Kingdom Come 2. Check the list of Devs and their previous work, it's a stacked cast and the talent just oozes in the gameplay.

I picked this up randomly on steam seeing it was on sale and seeing it was a "climbing" game. Didn't have any expectations and it's been a lot of fun. The quirkiness in inventory "management", the survival aspects, the climbing mechanics actually being pretty damn good.

The game is a vibe, an experience. Absolutely loving it. The climbing mechanics are well done (auto limb selecting bit janky, but can easily use manual when needed). The exploration aspect surprised me on how we can go off route find caves and secrets.

Yesss. It's been very difficult trying to explain to people just how good this game is. They need to experience it themselves. The struggle, the triumph, the absolute scale. That's just talking about the gameplay. The story is so relatable, and understated yet grasping. Honestly, this game, as far as games go, has been a religious experience for me.

I played the demo just a few days ago. It's really good. Like, the kind of game I wished Jusant (which was way too easy with its simplified controls) ended up being.

I loved the demo and was very excited for the game. My play through was about 12 hours. I absolutely loved it. It appears to be QWOP but with rock climbing, but I could tell it was going to be special. It blew my expectations away.

Finished it yesterday, i'm trying the permadeath mode already and it's such an experience to climb a wall that gave so much trouble before but with no pitons now, heavily recommended they deserve more sales.

Can't wait for this. Was already dreaming about this game, Tetris style, after just a few hours with the demo. Love a puzzle of navigation. This is like if Death Stranding could make you shit your pants.

Just played maybe 20min of the Cairn demo and I absolutely love it. Jusant is more of a meditative experience, and the gameplay doesn't test you on moment to moment movement. Cairn delivered on what I was looking for from Jusant, which is a climbing game that simulates real climbing. The way the game determines your fatigue based off your balance and your holds is so damn good, it always lined up with what I would expect from real climbing.

I also was absolutely taken by the game and the story on my first playthrough. It made me ask so many questions: why does she keep going? What drives her? What does the mountain mean to her? It was a beautifully haunting story, and every other bit of lore we got was understated but impactful.

I think wanting to boil it down to a canon 'good/bad' ending is doing the story a massive disservice. Aava isn't a likeable character. That's very much intentional. She IS selfish. She IS rude and abrasive. She DOES take out her pain and frustration on those around her.

Absolutely agree! After finishing my first run I immediately started another one, no survival but without pitons, and is soo much fun to take the game with a different pace. Maybe I'll attempt the hard difficoulty, which is basically roguelight mode, but it seems quite hardcore!

I won't be surprised when this takes indie game of the year 2026!

I've done a lot of sport, trad, and bouldering in my life all over the south. I've been wanting a good climbing game for ages and this is it. I instantly knew how to placements and was amazed how well it translates. I've been having fun just turning off survival and trying the hardest routes, because they really feel like routes out there you could climb.

I never really thought much about climbing but I'm gonna start at a nearby gym this week because of this game. It reminded me how much I loved climbing random stuff as a kid.

I thought I was approaching the peak but I'm just about at the half way point, and I'm so happy to have lots more mountain to climb. It's provided me with a sense of catharsis after work, and has fully immersed me for however long I've been playing so far.

Just a superb game, hands down the most fun and stressed I've been in years. It's not just a mountain climbing simulator but also just a hiking game, walking and exploring a beautiful landscape filled with history and mystery.

One of the best gaming experiences I had in my life. Game and story are amazing.

I haven't been climbing since I developed arthritis in my thumb and forefinger and this game is not a bad substitute. It gives me sweaty palms. It is a bit frustrating because the character doesn't necessarily move or grip very intuitively all the time, she doesn't wear shoes (which is a bizarre design choice) and you can't seem to heel hook or toe hook, but it is fun.