Game: Cairn – On the Trail: Deep Water DLC
Genre: Indie, Action, Adventure, Simulation, Sports
System: Steam (Windows) (also on PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: The Game Bakers
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Verified
Price: US $free | UK £free | EU €free
Release Date: October 29th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to Popagenda.
Cairn – On The Trail: Deep Water – A Little More Climbing
Earlier this year, I spent some time climbing Mount Kami in Cairn, a game that certainly doesn’t make reaching the top easy. Now, Aava returns in On The Trail: Deep Water, a free DLC that adds three new climbing locations to tackle. If you enjoyed the original game, there’s a little more climbing to get your hands on, and with no extra cost involved, it’s hard to complain about that!
Three New Places To Climb
Deep Water introduces three new locations, each offering a different challenge. There’s the Lamu climbing gym, which serves as a particularly tough training ground, alongside the cliffs of Haken and Ruka (or the giraffe as I call it), where you’ll be climbing above the water. That doesn’t mean the climbs themselves are any easier, though. You’ll still need to think carefully about your handholds, foot placement and route if you want to reach the top.
As with the main game, you have the freedom to work out your own route rather than simply following a marked path. Each location needs to be conquered individually to unlock the next, giving you a clear reason to keep pushing upwards. You can also play as Aava or Marco, whose different climbing techniques and styles offer another reason to explore the new content. There’s even a trail to follow, with the history and secrets of a legendary climber waiting to be discovered along the way. For the true climbing masters, the incentive to reply is to beat your best time.
Not For The Faint Of Heart
One thing worth highlighting is that this DLC is designed with players who have already experienced the main game in mind. If you struggled with Cairn before, don’t expect Deep Water to offer an easier introduction. These climbs can be tough. You’ll need to be careful with your positioning, pay attention to your stamina and react to stressful moments on the fly. A seemingly straightforward section can quickly become a challenge. After taking a break from the original game, I found that jumping straight into the DLC was a useful reminder of just how demanding Cairn can be. You really do need to approach each climb with a bit of patience, taking your time to work out the best way forward and failing a lot in the process.
On The Trail: Deep Water doesn’t dramatically change the Cairn experience. Instead, it gives you more opportunities to enjoy the climbing mechanics that made the original game stand out. The new locations provide fresh challenges, and the addition of Marco gives players another climbing style to try. However, this is very much additional content rather than a substantial new chapter that transforms the game. If you loved the original, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy these new climbs too. If you found the main game too frustrating or demanding, this DLC probably won’t change your mind.
Conclusion: Free Climb
On The Trail: Deep Water is a nice little addition to Cairn. Three new locations give experienced climbers fresh challenges to tackle. It’s not a massive expansion, and there’s no reason to pretend otherwise. However, it’s free, offers more of what makes the original game enjoyable and gives fans another excuse to head back onto the rock face. If you enjoyed the main game, this is an easy recommendation. Just remember to pack your patience alongside your climbing gear!
Final Verdict: I Like it
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