Cairn, the Dark Souls of Climbing Games, Finally Nails Down a Release Date on PS5

Cairn, the mountaineering survival game, has a release date at last.

It's coming to PS5 very soon, releasing on 29th January, 2026, as revealed in its latest trailer:

The game is from the team behind Furi and Haven, and is something entirely different yet again.

Playing as expert climber Aava, your goal is to reach the summit of the vast mountain Kami — a feat that has never been accomplished before.

The meat and potatoes of the game is all about the climb. You control Aava's limbs one after the next as you gradually make your ascent, probing for the best hand and foot holds that'll aid your climb and minimise risk of slipping and draining your stamina.

Aava will suffer injuries and will grow tired and hungry, so resting between big climbs is another important part of the game. You can pitch a tent, tend to wounds, cook basic meals, and sleep to regain your energy.

There's also a story of some sort to follow, and Aava will encounter other climbers as she progresses.

Having played the demo, we really like the feel of this game. While there are other games focused on climbing — Jusant springs to mind — Cairn separates itself by targeting a more realistic, challenging approach, and folding in the survival mechanics on top.

We reckon this will be worth playing when it clambers onto PS5 in January, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.