From the developers of Furi and Haven, Cairn is set to make your palms sweat when it climbs onto PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam on November 5, 2025. Announced during today’s PlayStation State of Play, the release date trailer showcases the game’s grueling vertical gameplay, its brutal beauty, and a haunting, all-star soundtrack.
Even better, a free playable demo is available now on both PS5 and Steam, where the PC version already boasts a 99% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating from over 5,000 reviews.
Climb Like Your Life Depends On It
In Cairn, you play as Aava, a lone climber braving the treacherous face of Mount Kami, a summit never conquered. This isn’t a power fantasy—it’s a meticulous survival-climbing sim where every move, grip, and piton counts. You’ll plan routes, conserve stamina, brave icy ledges, and uncover a mysterious past buried in the mountain.
The game emphasizes realism, requiring players to:
- Strategically place anchors and manage climbing gear
- Navigate snow, ice, and sheer rock faces
- Forage for supplies and survive hostile environments
- Explore a narrative of determination, sacrifice, and forgotten secrets
Climbing in Cairn isn’t just a mechanic—it’s the language of storytelling.
A Soundtrack to Die For
Cairn also boasts a world-class musical team:
- The Toxic Avenger (Furi, Road 96) returns with driving, cinematic soundscapes
- Martin Stig Andersen (LIMBO, INSIDE, Control) adds his signature eerie tension
- Gildaa, the Franco-Brazilian artist behind the haunting track “Pensées Diluviennes,” contributes atmospheric vocals
Combined, they deliver a soundtrack that pulses with both dread and awe, perfectly matching the game’s tone of isolation and determination.
Aava’s Ascent Is Yours
As Aava ascends Mount Kami, she’ll face more than just the climb. Cairn is a tale of survival, but also of mystery—one that explores the cost of ambition, the pull of the past, and the beauty of persistence.
The journey begins on November 5 on PS5 and PC. Wishlist now on Steam or download the demo to experience what players are already calling “the most intense climbing game ever made.”
