Over the past week, I found myself engrossed in Cairn, a game that nudges players into the realm of challenge wrapped in a cozy embrace. Instead of unwinding in the evenings, I took on the formidable ascent of a mountain that pushes the boundaries of masocore gameplay. The protagonist, Aava, quickly became a kindred spirit, her journey marked by both triumph and failure. With each misstep, I felt an unmistakable connection to her struggles. Those long climbs often ended in heart-wrenching tumbles, each plummet more dramatic than the last. Aava’s fate hung precariously on the pitons I planted, which came to symbolize my tenuous grip on both the game and my sanity.
There were moments when I would find her tumbling helplessly down jagged crags, her descent punctuated by curses directed at the mountain, the game, and, candidly, myself. Each setback was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after I had invested so much effort in scaling the incline. Yet, Cairn distinctly veers away from the traditional masocore formula that revels in punishing players without respite. Instead, it offers a more accommodating experience, allowing for retries that don’t feel like a punishment but a chance to learn and adapt.
This gentle approach to difficulty is becoming a welcome trend in the genre, as seen in another recent release, Baby Steps. Both games provide a refreshing perspective on challenge, inviting players to explore the nuances of their failures rather than simply screaming in frustration. Instead of merely enduring pain, players can develop their skills, refine strategies, and emerge victorious, albeit with a few bloodied toes along the way.
In the end, it’s this shift that captures my interest. Here’s a genre that has historically cherished its steep slopes and punishing descents, now softened by a more thoughtful lens. It makes the process just as satisfying as the victory, and for that, Cairn and Baby Steps deserve acknowledgment.
Source: eurogamer.net
