Summary
- Cairn, a climbing sim from The Game Bakers, follows the emerging climbing genre trend seen in games like Jusant.
- Cairn and Jusant both offer a tranquil climbing experience with peaceful gameplay and beautiful environments.
- Climbing sims like Cairn and Jusant provide players with a new and calming gaming experience, deviating from action-packed games.
Summer Game Fest has revealed a plethora of new games that are sure to have piqued the interest of gamers. One of the titles that made an appearance is Cairn from The Game Bakers. It’s a climbing sim that features a beautiful art style and an intriguing protagonist, but it is not the first game of its kind.
As seen in the Summer Game Fest trailer, the game follows in the footsteps of titles like Jusant and this isn’t a bad thing. The emerging climbing genre is one that’ll please many gamers who are looking for something new and perhaps a little more calming.
Jusant: Hands-On Preview - Reaching Curious New Heights
The Best War Games plays a preview of Jusant, an intriguing climbing game by Life is Strange devs that feels like a promising action-puzzle platformer.
Cairn Isn’t the Only Climbing Sim Around
The Cairn trailer is very short. It features the protagonist attempting to climb a mountain and yelling in frustration when they struggle to make it up a particular section. The gameplay looks interesting, but it is far from unique.
Don’t Nod’s Jusant is also a peaceful, meditative climbing sim that has players tackling the Tower armed with little else but some rope and a water blob friend. The game was well received, with many praising its calm yet mysterious atmosphere and environmental storytelling. Cairn seems to be going in the same direction, as there are no words heard from the protagonists as they climb.
There are Many Questions Surrounding Cairn
No release date is given for Cairn, nor are players informed of what platforms the game is going to be on. These aren’t the only questions floating around. Players are not told why the protagonist is climbing, where they are going, and why they seem so motivated. Hopefully, these questions will be answered in due time.
Climbing Has Always Been Present in Video Games
Climbing in video games certainly is nothing new and franchises like Uncharted and Horizon have long climbing segments. However, this new wave of games features climbing as the central gameplay aspect and is much more involved in the climbing process. They also seem to treat climbing as a tranquil experience, though Cairn seems to embrace some frustration.
From the trailer, it is apparent that Cairn isn’t about the destination but more about the journey. As the protagonist ascends, players are treated to beautiful scenery that is worth stopping to admire. This is also true of Jusant's gameplay and level design, as it features gorgeous environments to immerse oneself in during the arduous climb.
A New Trend Seems to be Emerging For Climbing Games
It appears that AA climbing games are experiencing some popularity at present, and that’s nothing to complain about. These are games that offer something new and give players a break from the typical action-packed roster of games. With these titles, players don’t have to chalk up their palms and risk life and limb to enjoy the climbing experience.
There have been several gaming trends in the industry, and time will tell whether climbing sims are a passing phase. For now, they seem to be making an impact, and it’s not hard to understand why. With their calm, simple gameplay, they offer something new and make for the perfect games to play when players aren’t looking to raise their adrenaline levels.
Jusant
- Released
- October 30, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Jusant is a brand-new action-puzzle climbing game and a meditative journey to the top of a tall tower. Challenge yourself at your own pace, explore different paths, and unravel the secrets from a bygone civilization.
Master your climbing tools and watch your stamina meter to successfully navigate this mysterious and changing tower. As you go higher and hone your skills, you’ll have to figure out how best to use the tools at your disposal to get to where you want to go. Explore alternative paths to find clues about what happened here.
Play at your own pace. As you climb, you’ll come across breathtaking biomes full of flora and fauna, accompanied by a peaceful and atmospheric soundtrack. Brace yourself on arid, windy slopes, seek refuge in tunnels lit only by bioluminescence, and more.
Meet the mysterious Ballast. This creature will help guide you throughout your journey by waking nature along your path and helping to reveal clues that will help you piece together the tower’s past and reach the top.
