It’s easy to categorize Cairn, the latest offering from The Game Bakers, as a simple climbing simulator. However, the studio aims for a grander narrative, positioning the game as an action-adventure title akin to Death Stranding. "We think Cairn really belongs in that history of grand adventure games," said Audrey Leprince, co-founder and producer at The Game Bakers.
While the game features intricate climbing mechanics and a physics system designed to be realistic enough to capture the fantasy of ascending an impossible mountain, the developers emphasize that Cairn is more than just a sports game. The journey of Aava, the protagonist, up Mount Kami is intended to explore themes of survival, obsession, sacrifice, and the drive to achieve the impossible. "It happens that you are climbing, but it's also telling you an epic story, it's an adventure, you explore, you discover, you survive in the mountain," Leprince explained.
The development of Cairn involved significant technical challenges. Creating a physics-based climbing system that was both realistic and accessible proved difficult, requiring specialized engineers with strong mathematical backgrounds. Despite the complexity, the team prioritized the player experience, sometimes departing from strict realism to enhance immersion, such as the inclusion of a 'climbot' that assists with pitons and belaying.
The narrative of Cairn was developed in parallel with its gameplay mechanics. The story aims to capture the full range of emotions and experiences an alpinist might face, including the sacrifices made to pursue such extreme goals. "We knew the emotional journey that she was gonna go on, and we knew there were going to be some really tough moments and some decisions also left to the player," Leprince stated, drawing inspiration from her own father's experiences as a mountaineer.
This alignment between gameplay and story is a core tenet for The Game Bakers. "It's very rare when the character you are playing is completely aligned in terms of objectives and gameplay with what you are supposed to do in the game," Leprince noted. In Cairn, the objective is straightforward: climb the mountain, a goal that directly mirrors the narrative.
Survival mechanics such as managing backpack space, foraging for resources, and tending to injuries are integral to the game's immersive fantasy. These systems, while not strictly inherent to climbing, were added to complete the authentic experience of an alpinist undertaking a major summit. "You can't really pretend you're a mountaineer on a big summit and not have a backpack and no need to heal yourself and no need to eat for five days," Leprince said.
Music also plays a crucial role in shaping the emotional landscape of Cairn. The soundtrack is designed to enhance both grand emotional moments and the intimate experience of the ascent. Aava's humming throughout the game serves as a constant connection to the character, blending with moments of silence that emphasize the focus, breathing, and physicality of the climb.
The game offers players a significant choice at its conclusion: ascend to the summit or turn back. This decision was intentional, prompting players to consider the sacrifices involved in pursuing an obsession. "We want players to think about it, to decide, and a lot of them were really tortured actually," Leprince commented.
The DLC, 'On the Trail: Deep Water,' acts as a prequel, exploring Aava's preparations before her ascent of Mount Kami. It offers new climbing challenges and puzzles, allowing players to further engage with the game's mechanics and universe.
The Game Bakers, being self-funded and self-published, had the freedom to pursue their unique vision for Cairn, a path that might have been difficult to secure with external publishers. This independence allowed them to fully realize the game's potential as a deep, meaningful adventure rather than just a climbing simulator.