Cairn might be the best climbing game I’ve ever played, and I wish it was released already | Gaming

There’s no UI in Cairn to tell me I’m in trouble, but I can see it in the way my protagonist, Aava, is shaking. Her knees are wobbling, and I’m high enough up that I’m really starting to wish I’d wedged a piton into the rock. It’s going to be a long way down.

Cairn, announced during the summer showcases and due for release next year, didn’t wow me with its trailer, but it’s sure wowing me now. Developer The Game Bakers, best known for hits Furi and Haven, seem to have struck gold here with a climbing game that makes it actually feel like you’re climbing, something I’ve been eager to see for the longest time.

Climbing tall things in games is a form of escapism I’ve always vibed with, perhaps due to the fact I’m terrified to be more than about a meter off the ground at any point…