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Review: "New Exclusive for PS5 Tops 2026 Rankings as Highest-Rated Game of the Year

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Cairn, the highest-rated PlayStation 5 exclusive game of the year, where you climb Mount Kami, meet eccentric characters, and make decisions shaping your journey as a professional climber Aava!

Sophie Laurent · 1 min read

PS5's Immediate Hit: 'Cairn', Critically Acclaimed Mount Kami Climber

Cairn, released in late January for PlayStation 5 and PC, has quickly become a critically acclaimed title. Metacritic currently ranks it as the best game of the year to date, with critics awarding an average score of 84 and players a score of 7.5. In contrast to other highly anticipated PS5 games still in development, such as Marvel's Wolverine and Saros, Cairn offers players an immediate and engaging experience centered around scaling Mount Kami. The gameplay emphasizes careful planning, precision, and strategic decision-making, providing a challenging alternative to button-mashing action games. Players seeking a fresh and demanding experience should consider Cairn.

In Case You Missed It

As we close out January with a bang, don't forget to check out Sophie Laurent's comprehensive guide to "The Big Video Game Releases in January" The Big Video Game Releases in January. From PC to Switch and PS5, she's rounded up a diverse lineup featuring everything from cozy indie titles like Cozy Caravan to much-anticipated sequels such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Eldegarde. But that's not all! Bruno Pferd has been crunching the numbers in his latest analysis, "New Games Outperform Expectations" New Games Outperform Expectations. He found that eight major releases from 2026 have already made their mark on Steam's revenue list, proving once again that gamers are always eager for fresh experiences. And speaking of keeping up with gaming trends, Ahmed Hassan took us on a deep dive into this year's Paris Games Week in his insightful post, "Paris Games Week 2025: Attendance Down, Long-Term Vision" Paris Games Week 2025: Attendance Down, Long-Term Vision. Despite a slight dip in attendance, Ahmed reveals how the organizers are looking to consolidate PGW as France's premier gaming and pop culture event. So whether you're eager for new game releases or interested in the behind-the-scenes happenings at major gaming events, we've got you covered right here!

// The Friday recap

Enjoyed this article? You will like the Friday recap.

Game info

Official Name
Cairn
Brief Summary
As pro climber Aava, you embark on the ascent of Mount Kami, a summit that has never been reached. Along the journey, meet unexpected companions and hear from those left on the ground. Discover the mountain's history and decide what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve the her dream. 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.
Platforms
PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Released
January 29, 2026
Genre
Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Play Modes
Single player
Content Rating
16
Languages
Chinese (Simplified), English, Korean
Genre
The Game Bakers
Genre
The Game Bakers
Ratings
91/100 (1 reviews)

Where to buy

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