Cairn will include a Free Solo mode that removes pitons and rope, forcing players to climb without safety anchors. The game uses a limb-by-limb climbing mechanic that demands careful movement and positioning. Players must also manage hunger, thirst, and an inventory of supplies during climbs. Free Solo climbing refers to tackling a climb without a partner or traditional equipment, elevating risk and consequence. The Free Solo mode turns climbs into more roguelike runs by removing the safety net of pitons. The demo is available now on PS5 and PC, with full release on November 5, 2025.
A typical climb in Cairn - and most rock climbing games for that matter - tasks you with managing rope, and the pitons you use to anchor it to a rock face. You add pitons as you climb so that in the event you slip, you only fall to your last piton rather than all the way to the ground. In Free Solo mode, you don't have that safety net, turning each climb into more of a roguelike run.
Adding a dangerous style of climbing to what's already a difficult game feels appropriate in this case. On top of a climbing mechanic that makes you move each limb individually, Cairn also requires you to manage your hunger, thirst and an inventory of supplies. At least based on its demo, the game is far more demanding then something like , which was much more concerned with making its traversal fun and expressive rather than realistically difficult.
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