PS5 Climbing Game Cairn Is the First Success Story of 2026

You'd be a gorm for not playing Cairn.

I had an absolute blast with it over the weekend, similar to the other comment, 7/10!?!

I really don't get performance issues in indies. Annoying. Another game called I Hate This Place also had performance issues from what I see in reviews.

If I didn't have Nioh 3 (and of course RE9) on order, I would probz give this a go. Will add to the list though.

I'll get it as soon as the performance improves. Game looked very promising from the moment I saw it, glad it's doing well.

This is a game I didn’t have much interest in when it was revealed, but the favorable reception has me curious.

It seems we’ve had a mini-explosion of this type of hiking/climbing sim — Jusant, Baby Steps, of course Death Stranding, and now Cairn. I know these are all very different games, but in my mind there’s some common theme of the mountaineering aspects. I really liked DS, but haven’t played any of these other more hard-core climbing and hiking sims, but I’m interested enough to keep an open mind.

I’m playing on PS5 Pro and whilst there are some frame drops here and there, it’s nothing particularly egregious. Bear in mind you can effectively zoom out on the entire mountain to check your route at any time and there’s a lot of draw distance too.

Regardless, this is one of the greatest games I’ve ever played. 10/10 material and I can’t stop thinking about it.

@Scottyy Limited budgets, personnel, and expertise. It makes more sense than something from a big established studio (or worse - a first party game, looking at Bend with Days Gone's original release) having performance issues.

This game already feels like a forever game for me.

There's something so zen about carefully making your way up a cliff face handhold by handhold. It takes up my whole attention.

A single route takes up a perfect chunk of time, to feel like you accomplished something.

I was surprised how many things there are to explore and see too. I could spend hours on a single section, trying out all the routes looking for different secrets.

And in terms of simulating the experience of climbing, this is no contest, the best game to ever do it. Real life bouldering knowledge is directly applicable.

I never thought I'd play a climbing simulator but the pace and art-style from the demo made me do it. There was a little anxiety at the start but it levels off as you get to grips with the mechanics and the rock-faces. It's definitely not the kind of game to rush and I'm learning as I go.

I tried it and it wasnt for me. However its good to see such a niche game get the recognition it deserves. The artstyle and atmosphere are fantastic.

@MrPeanutbutterz

It still feels weird when the platforms they released could play those games twice or three times at the same time.

@Scottyy If the games are optimally coded. These clearly aren't, which falls back to the lack of expertise with the engine and/or platform.

Bought, but I'm saving it for my post Nioh 3 game, something very very different as a palate cleanser before I jump into AC Shadows.

I don't understand climbing games; I mean, the difference is huge if you play one in virtual reality.

I agree with the review of this. Tried the demo and sure, it's novel, but the reference to Lonely Mountain Downhill is spot-on in terms of the repetition and difficulty spikes.

GOTY comments are hilarious tho.

The demo has been removed? I wasn't interested before but wanted to give this a look to see if it's my thing before buying.

The performance and visuals absolutely killed any excitement and enjoyment I had hoped for with this game, and it doesn’t help the characters are insufferable and needlessly cringe.

I am really really enjoying it so far. Finally something different from the crowd. Didn’t had any particolari issue with performance but I switch Resolution to 1080. 7/10 !? This game is AT LEAST a 8/10.