One More Go

When you’re climbing in Cairn, there isn’t any need for meters or bars. It’s very easy to read the danger you’re in. Glancing down will warp the field of view, making that drop seem all the further. Aava’s limbs tremble under the strain of insecure footing, and as the last of her grip runs out, the colour drains from the screen. A warning that couldn’t be clearer, the next few seconds are crucial. Do you gamble on finding a spot to rest, a panicked scramble across the rock? Or stay put and place a piton, watching helplessly as Aava tries to set an anchor in time?

The sense of peril is palpable, and each section of climb feels perfectly tuned to test your grit. Pitons act as flexible checkpoints, but managing where to place them only adds to the dramatic nature of the ascent. Do you place one now that you’ve passed that tricky overhang? Or do you hold out and make sure you have enough for the latter half of the climb? Planning your route is important, with viewing options and overalys that help identify clear paths, but you’ll need to be adaptable too. Obstacles, gradients, weather and surfaces all change to provide extra challenge as you climb.

Reach a plateau, and you can finally rest. But it’s here that you’ll need to focus on recovering Aava’s cut and torn hands. Some time in her bivouac will restore fatigue naturally, but as time passes, Aava gets hungry and thirsty. Allowing either to reach critical levels will speed up her declining reserves. Along her ascent Aava can find forgotten bottles, streams, and freeze dried food dropped by other climbers, though in diminishing volume the higher she gets. Managing Aava’s condition dovetails with the diffculty of the climb, systems and mechanics synchronised to create a sense of urgency. A desperation to complete the climb that mirrors Aava’s own.

As much as this is a movement simulator, it’s also an exploration of Aava’s motivation as she bids to become the first person to complete an ascent of Mount Kami. This is mostly delivered through Aava musing to her trusty belay bot, which I often found obtrusive. Her words cutting through the solitude of the climb, often in service of a message that felt unneccesary. But, by the end of her journey, I felt like I had a good understanding of who Aava was. When presented with ending defining choices, I was able to roleplay Aava’s decision making, culminating in an emotional pay off that felt earned.

But then, decisions throughout Cairn invite you into Aava’s psyche. Each item you leave, every route not taken, expands the possibility space. The sacrifices that makes your journey singular. Cairn is defined by decisions big and small, and the aftermath will leave you with plenty to reflect on.