Cairn Preview: Climbing Survival Sim on Mt. Kami

The upcoming climbing-survival sim Cairn offers a deliberate and manual climbing experience set against the backdrop of the dangerous Mt. Kami. In a recent hands-on demo, the gameplay centers on guiding the protagonist Aava up vertical rock faces using a control scheme that requires precise management of each limb. The game distinguishes itself by removing automatic pathfinding, forcing players to actively search for cracks and ledges to progress.

Supporting Aava is Climbot, a robotic companion that carries climbing rope and drives pitons into the rock to create safety anchors. The environment is unforgiving, featuring life-or-death battles against the elements and the ever-present risk of falling. The demo showcased the game's ability to blend intense physical challenges with moments of quiet reflection and stunning vistas.

Cairn distinguishes itself with a highly manual control system that emphasizes player agency over every movement. The mechanics have been compared to titles like Manual Samuel or QWOP, but with a crucial difference: Aava is a skilled partner rather than a flailing character. While the player directs the action, Aava intelligently adapts to the rock face, automatically wedging feet into cracks or securing grips on outcroppings. This creates a dynamic where the player shares approximately 90% of the responsibility with the character's instincts.

The climbing process is physically demanding within the simulation. Players must manage the stamina of Aava's limbs, indicated by shaking and audible distress signals. If a hold is not sustainable, the grip will eventually break, leading to a fatal fall. To mitigate this, players can shake out exhausted limbs, but only to buy a moment of time to find a more secure position. The game promises that nearly the entire rock face is climbable, functioning as a massive puzzle box where players must choose their own path.

Key elements of the climbing mechanics include:

• Manual Limb Control: Direct control over hand and foot placement.
• Stamina Management: Limbs shake and tremor as they near failure.
• Route Finding: No yellow paint markers; players must visually scout holds.
• Camera Tools: A pull-out camera helps in planning the ascent.

Survival on Mt. Kami requires more than just physical strength; it requires the right equipment. Aava is accompanied by Climbot, a trusty robot companion that follows the ascent. Climbot carries the end of the climbing rope and is essential for safety. By driving a piton into the rock, Climbot allows Aava to build a belay, loop the rope through, and secure herself against a fall. This system is vital for resting on long climbs or rappelling down sections.

While pitons are a limited resource, Climbot can recover them when the climber reaches a flat section of the mountain. However, the setup process takes time, and failing to secure oneself before a grip gives out can be fatal. The demo highlighted the importance of using these anchors proactively, especially before entering technically difficult sections of the climb. The presence of a damaged Climbot found during the demo serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of rushing the process.

The environment of Cairn is designed to be beautiful yet lethal. As players ascend, they encounter clear paths and treacherous sections that require improvisation, such as wedging feet against flat surfaces or gripping the outside corners of rocks. The game emphasizes that Mt. Kami is a dangerous place, particularly for a solo climber. The narrative is told through environmental storytelling rather than explicit cutscenes.

Throughout the climb, players encounter evidence of those who failed to survive the ascent. This includes scribbled messages and drawings left by previous climbers, as well as the physical remains of the fallen. In one instance, a damaged Climbot drags itself into view before breaking down, its owner nowhere to be found. Aava reacts to these discoveries with quiet solemnity, noting that "Sometimes you come for the mountain. Sometimes the mountain comes for you."

Despite the focus on survival and danger, the demo highlights moments of wonder and beauty. Reaching the top of a cliff face offers a sense of victory, accompanied by stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape. The game features a day-night cycle, with climbing continuing under a canopy of stars. The visuals serve to contrast the harsh reality of the climb with the majestic beauty of the mountain.

The atmosphere is a mix of tension and reflection. The quiet moments spent planning a route or resting on a piton anchor allow the player to appreciate the scale of Mt. Kami. The game aims to capture the duality of mountaineering: the struggle for survival and the awe of reaching the top of the world.