Cairn is a climbing-focused adventure game where players step into the role of Aava, an experienced mountaineer attempting the perilous ascent of Mount Kami. With route planning, resource management, and precise climbing mechanics at its core, many players may wonder how long it takes to finish the game. Below is a detailed look at Cairn’s average playtime and what affects it.
How Long Does Cairn Take To Beat?
If you focus purely on the main campaign, Cairn takes around 12 to 15 hours to complete. Players who spend more time exploring Mount Kami and experimenting with different routes can expect their playtime to increase to roughly 18 to 25 hours.
For those attempting a Free Solo run, which represents the game’s highest difficulty, a full playthrough can take 25 to 30 hours due to the increased challenge and lack of safety mechanics.
Most players tackling the game on the recommended Alpinist difficulty will likely finish Cairn in about 15 hours on average. This mode encourages exploration without overwhelming the player. Since Cairn features a unique and demanding control scheme, the early hours can feel especially challenging as players learn Aava’s movement and climbing mechanics. While the tutorial does an excellent job of explaining the basics, mastering the controls still takes time, which contributes to the overall playtime.
Cairn Difficulty Options and Differences
| Difficulty Setting | Key Differences |
|---|---|
| Explorer | Survival is easier. |
| Climb with full gear and pitons. | |
| Progress saves automatically. | |
| Some assist options are enabled by default. | |
| Includes a rewind feature. | |
| Alpinist (Recommended) | Survival is balanced. |
| Climb with gear and pitons. | |
| Progress can only be saved at bivouac sites. | |
| Assist options are disabled by default. | |
| Free Solo | Survival is balanced but unforgiving. |
| No pitons or belays allowed. | |
| No manual saves; death is permanent (only temporary exit saves are allowed). | |
| Assist options are completely unavailable. |
Although Cairn is primarily focused on gameplay, it also delivers a personal and engaging story. Players who prefer a more relaxed experience shouldn’t hesitate to choose the Explorer difficulty, as it preserves the core climbing mechanics while reducing frustration. As confidence and skill grow, players can always challenge themselves in future playthroughs.
It’s worth noting that difficulty cannot be changed mid-playthrough, though assist options can be enabled in Explorer and Alpinist modes.
Cairn strikes a strong balance by never overstaying its welcome, rewarding players as they steadily improve their climbing skills. Its design makes it well-suited for multiple playthroughs, and the Free Solo mode offers a compelling challenge once you’ve fully mastered the game’s climbing systems.
