Cairn successfully recreates the reality of mountain climbing and expresses it digitally in the gaming industry, allowing players to witness a climber’s perspective, from the preparation stage to the final steps at the summit. The development of the game makes mountaineering feel incredibly interesting. The transparency behind every climber is clearly shown through an accurate presentation of how
the journey is shaped by planning and discipline, endurance, and the decisions you make regarding equipment, resource management, and routes will direct your progress towards climbing Mount Kami.

The impression the game portrays does not equally correspond to the gameplay. However, if you get lucky enough and stay throughout the first hour of the game, you will discover that there is a deeply rewarding experience that simulation fans will likely fall in love with. The game captures your attention through awareness and environmental pressure. Every time you reach a certain section of the map, you will realise that the mountain you are climbing has had many tragic, deadly, and disturbing stories that you will only discover if you reach the top of
the mountain. It is terrifying to be Aava sometimes. 

The game provides minimal assistance by default, adjusting how much assistance the game can provide for you in a flexible. Do not fully allow assist mode to be maxed out. To maintain the quality of the game and enjoy the behind-the-scenes of Aava’s journey in conquering her fears and touch eternity. There will be tools and support mechanisms that enable you to find easier routes. The most critical factor lies with Aava herself. She is human after all.
Thus, paying close attention to her body language, breathing patterns, and body temperature is vital to both her survival and cognitive state.

Failing to identify the hints can have consequences, and Aava will be punished because of your mistake. Such mistakes have unpleasant consequences that can lead to misplacement of limbs causing players to slip or lose balance, resulting in progression loss since the game has implemented a system that provides the players with an experience as if they were in the game. Every aspect of the game is real, from environmental to mechanical skillfulness. Players will develop patience and perseverance. Your judgment is constantly being tested through struggle and risks to overcome Mount Kami.

The foundation of Cairn lies in Aava’s two hands. Every movement dictates her fate, whether she can hold on to her dear life with her fingertips or let gravity win. Stability is everything in this game. When her hands start to tremble, it is a sign that you are about to accept your destiny unless you apply chalk to buy you a few seconds between life and death to reposition your hands for a firmer grip.

Chalk is not the only item that could save you from a fatal fall. A bandage is a core item for mountain or rock climbers due to the prolonged climbing
and pressure on the fingertips, which causes Aava’s fingers to bleed, reducing her strength along with
a reduction in her grip, making her mountaineering burdensome to achieve without facing multiple falls. However, wrapping the bandages around her fingers cannot occur mid-climb due to not having
a piton installed into the rocks to ensure her safety. That being the case, it forces players to carefully prepare in advance in terms of chalk inventory,
the status of Aava’s hands, as well as the infused drinks and the meals that have been prepared.

Cairn punishes you for your mistakes, which can be as small as forgetting to fill up your water when you come across a river. Moreover, mistakes can go unnoticed until it accumulates into bigger issues. One of the scenarios I experienced was when I had my bag full, and as I found bandages, I could not collect them. Aava had given up halfway to the top; I had to climb down to collect bandages to wrap around my hands, and climb again, which I did successfully. Soon, I found myself reaching a new location with a beautiful waterfall and blue sky.

In Cairn, the backpack represents Aava’s storage.
it acts as your survival kit. Every time Aava climbs
a section of the mountain, discoveries will be made, loot will be collected and stored in her backpack for the next journey. Each item collected has an impact on how far Aava can reach her destination before the mountain pushes her back. Food and drinks are important to her survival. Failing to explore the new area once reached will reduce her survival chances since you are not collecting important ingredients that elevate Aaava’s performance in terms of speed, strength, body warmth, and grip. With limited space in the backpack, ensure that disposable items are recycled regularly to allow Climbot to produce chalk, another essential item, related to the climb.

Cooking plays an important role during her rest period. The game allows the players to let Aava to rest after a long climb. Therefore, open the bag to see what you have collected and mix it based on the ingredients collected, which will empower Aava
and give her special powers. Water can be infused with Juniper or Nettle. Thus, Aava will have infused water instead of clear water. It can be mixed further by using that infused water mixed with Dandelion or Gentian, to create a super drink, providing Aava with boosted focus, Grip, and Grit, increasing her Health, Thirst, and Temperature. Hence, hot drinks are used to combat cold, flowers can turn into infused teas, while Edelweiss flower allows you to rewind your fall, to avoid wasting your time and progress.

Managing the backpack becomes a balancing tool in the game; carrying too many items could slow your movement since Aava is constantly fighting against gravity. Whereas carrying too little will expose Aava to risks. Every time you come across
a tent, make sure to save your progress as well as cook or mix the ingredients to regulate her body warmth, especially in harsher climate conditions where it can reach 𝟎* celsius, by drinking hot coffee or booze, for instance, you allow your body to keep warm for a short period of time.