Developed and published by The Game Bakers—the studio behind Furi, Squids Odyssey, and Haven—Cairn is a third-person survival game centered on climbing a mountain that has yet to be conquered. Cairn has been in development for some time, with its first trailer released about a year ago, and it was recently shown off at Gamescom.

The World of Cairn

Beyond its stunning, atmospheric art style—reminiscent of Firewatch—the small details stand out almost immediately. It’s the little things that make a difference, such as wrapping your fingers due to small cuts and sores from climbing. These subtle but thoughtful details are what set Cairn up for success and help immerse players in the experience.

Cairn takes place on Mount Kami, a peak that has yet to be summited. You play as Aava, a professional mountain climber whose dream is to be the first person to successfully reach the mountain’s summit. The story unfolds over time as you encounter other climbers along your journey and learn more about the history and mystery surrounding Mount Kami.

Games like Cairn are what truly define the adventure genre. Too often, “adventure” is assigned to games where exploration and discovery feel secondary. Cairn, however, puts adventure at the forefront, embodying what the genre is meant to be.

The Future of Cairn

I can say with confidence that Cairn is poised for a strong release and a long-lasting future. The game already has over 35,000 followers on its Steam page, and the developers continue to provide consistent updates and patches, showing clear commitment to post-launch support.