Far too high up this cliff face, my arms start to wobble, my breath comes in rapid gasps, and I let out a handful of fearful whimpers that let me know it's time to fix something, fast. Convinced that I can steady myself before disaster, however, I attempt to shuffle awkwardly to my right, moving each limb in turn as I search for a more stable hold. But it's not enough. Player character Aava's stamina gives out, her hold slips, and I find myself falling through empty space where once there was solid rock.
Cairn has been on our radar for a long time, and now that it's finally getting closer to its release early next year, it's proving to be a strong early contender in Steam Next Fest. Its current position places it second in the survival game wishlist charts, an impressive feat only heightened by the fact that it doesn't really obey genre norms. There's a decent amount of hunger and thirst management, but the brutal nature of the mountain adds an almost roguelike twist - one wrong move and you can be starting again from the ground.
