Paul Hunter
NextGen PlayerCairn Review (PS5)
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
Making subjectivity useful.
PC / PS5 - 1/29/2026
Cairn
Reach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi and Haven. Climb anywhere and plan your route carefully, managing pitons and resources to survive the unforgiving Mount Kami. Discover what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve the ascent of a lifetime.
- Developer
- The Game Bakers
- Publisher
- The Game Bakers
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Critic average
86
Average of 50 scored external reviews.
User average
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Strategic / planning-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Serious / dark / groundedStrongly · Curated baseline
Highly replayableStrongly · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Story / character-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedStrongly · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Side-content richStrongly · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalStrongly · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedSlightly · Curated baseline
Short / focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
86
50 scored reviews
Total coverage
50
All coverage currently scored
Score range
60–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 86 across 50 scored reviews, with a 40-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
50 included scored reviews
90–10027 reviews · 54%
80–8916 reviews · 32%
70–796 reviews · 12%
Below 701 review · 2%
Showing 21-30 of 50 matching critic reviews. 50 total critic reviews. Page 3 of 5.
David Rodriguez
Hobby ConsolasCairn Analysis, a love letter to climbing and the mountains in the form of an unforgettable ascent
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
88
+2 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalWill Borger
IGNCairn Review
Published 1/29/2026
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IGNText review
Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalShaun Prescott
PC GamerCairn Review
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
91
+5 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalZackery Cuevas
PCMagCairn Is the Most Beautifully Brutal Game You'll Play This Year
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJames Davie
PlayStation UniverseCairn Review (PS5) - A Successful Climb - PlayStation Universe
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
-1 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalStephen Tailby
Push SquareReview: Cairn (PS5) - This Uniquely Tactile Climbing Adventure Is Summit Worth Playing
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
-16 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalLyssa Greywood
Screen HypeCairn Review – A Mountain-Climbing Journey You Won’t Forget
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalSam Chandler
ShacknewsCairn review: Reaching for greatness
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJustin Clark
Slant Magazine‘Cairn’ Review: Spitting Off the Edge of the World
Published 1/29/2026
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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