Opinions on this title are based on the demo, not the full release, so it’s all subject to change.
Many games feel the same, like you’re fulfilling the same role, just in another reality, and as such, many titles scratch the same itch, so it’s a welcome breath of fresh air when a game scratches an itch you didn’t know you had, by basing itself around something that is usually overlooked or represented differently. Cairn (developed and published by The Game Bakers) is one of these games, and while it is broadly about the experience of exploration, and involves a lot of things other survival games do, it’s mechanically so focused on the movement of your character and the act of climbing that it feels like a wholly new experience.
Navigating vertically in most games involves various jumping mechanics, jetpacks, ledge grabbing, zip wires, parkour, etcetera… but rarely is the act itself scrutinised, and within Cairn, you are tasked with the management of all four of your characters limbs in order to successfully navigate the rocks that block your path.
Starting out in a rock-climbing centre, you learn the basics, how to move each foot and hand into position, what surfaces make for good footholds, how far you can push your character, and how to anchor safety lines as your progress (aided as you are by a very cute little robotic climbing companion. Initially, it seems like quite a lot to wrap your head around, but the tutorial is effective, the starting area is well designed, and the controls, although somewhat unusual, are intuitive.
Once you’re learned the ropes (har), you move out into the wilderness and the game opens up, and you are introduced to the game’s survival mechanics, which involve managing your provisions, camping, foraging, and exploring.
Not only are the mechanics of play involved, and the gameplay itself rewarding and enjoyable, the environment which you are able to explore is both compelling and beautiful. Within the demo, only a small area is explorable, but even that little slice is tantalising, and reveals the true potential of the full game, and the tension that rises with every ascent is only matched by how compelling it is - every time you narrowly avoid a deadly fall, are saved by one of your safety lines, or crest a sheer rock face and get your feet on solid ground again, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief and rush eagerly to the next climb to tap back into the fear and fun of it all.
As with all demos, it’s hard to know what the final release will be like, but with this one, I’m pretty confident it’ll be a good time. The game feels complete already, and all aspects, from its mechanics to the sound design, and the visuals all feel cohesive and very well considered.
Overall, this one is a bit of a gem, and one I heartily recommend downloading the demo for - a proper fresh title, and one that’ll save you the hassle of actually climbing in real life. While you’re here, check out previous Next Fest posts, perhaps you’ll find something that has passed you by!
STEAM NEXT FEST
Demos hold a lot of memories for people of a certain age - the fabled disk of unreleased treasures stuck to the front of a magazine. Often the only source of new gaming experiences outside of occasional gifts, rare renting opportunities, and negotiated trades amongst friends. For a long while, demos seemed to fall out of favour, but in recent years they have made a comeback, thanks to the easy of access afforded by Steam, and the Next Fest, which regularly shines a light on new and upcoming releases, allowing developers to show of their games to a wide audience. What follows is a list of games I’ve covered from past Next Fests.
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