Cairn Finally Confirms Its Release Date: The “Vertical Death Stranding” Is Nearly Here

The long-anticipated mountaineering simulator Cairn—often referred to as a “vertical Death Stranding”—has finally locked in its release date, following a brief delay needed for extra polish.

At the core of Cairn’s design is meticulous limb-by-limb control of the heroine, letting players cling to narrow ledges and maintain a fragile balance between survival and a fatal fall. Each climb plays out like a thoughtful puzzle with several possible solutions, encouraging you to map out your route carefully before making your move.

Realism plays a major role as well. The protagonist, Ava, reacts naturally to the strain of ascending Mount Kami—gasping, trembling, and groaning under the physical stress. These challenges can be eased, though, by managing her stability and stress levels with skillful, measured actions.

Cairn launches on January 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam). A free demo is still available on both platforms.