Cairn - On the Trail: Deep Water Review Summary

The acclaimed base game and generous free DLC are undermined by a harder, buggy expansion with a widely disliked stamina system and worsened climbing.

DLC harder than base game: The new climbs are frequently described as more challenging and technical than the base game. Many consider this difficulty increase appropriate and rewarding for a DLC.

Base game highly acclaimed: Many reviewers consider the base game a masterpiece with ideal mechanics, story, and atmosphere. It is frequently called one of their favorite games and praised for its unique climbing experience.

Free DLC praised as generous: Reviewers repeatedly highlight that the DLC is free and surprisingly extensive. There is strong appreciation for the developers releasing such content at no cost, and it positively shapes their view of the game and studio.

Challenging routes and secrets: The DLC adds many challenging routes, secrets, and achievements that extend playtime. Players enjoy the optional challenges and the sense of accomplishment from completing them.

Marco is a great addition: Playing as Marco is widely enjoyed for offering a different climbing style and fresh perspective. His unique stats and weaknesses add variety and are seen as a strong highlight of the DLC.

Climbing mechanics feel worse: Climbing is significantly more frustrating due to poor grab detection, unreliable ledges, and awkward limb placement. Players report frequent slips, failed grabs, and inconsistent friction, making even easy sections feel unfair.

New stamina system widely disliked: The new stamina/fatigue mechanic is heavily criticized as annoying, broken, and overly punishing. It drains quickly, forces full restarts, and feels like a speedrun mode that detracts from the core climbing experience.

DLC buggy and unpolished: Numerous clusters report pervasive bugs, glitches, and a rushed feel throughout the DLC. Issues include camera bugs, clipping, crashes, and save corruption, making the experience feel unfinished.

DLC lacks content and story: The DLC is criticized for being short, lacking new story elements, and feeling like filler. It offers little exploration, no new mountain, and ends on an unsatisfying tease for another DLC.

Limb placement system broken: Automatic limb placement frequently fails, with Ava choosing wrong limbs and getting stuck. Limbs twist unnaturally, clip through walls, and often miss holds, leading to preventable falls and frustration.

Stamina system divides players: Multiple clusters describe a stamina or energy bar that depletes during climbs and forces restarts. Some view it as a meaningful resource, while others note it limits attempts and adds fatigue.

DLC adds new maps and areas: The DLC includes multiple new maps and three distinct areas, with different areas separated across DLCs. The first map is noted as very hard, and later maps contain secrets and challenges.

Marco joins as playable climber: The DLC introduces Marco as a playable character with a unique climbing style and origin story content. His inclusion is highlighted in both paid and free DLC.

New climbing routes and gym: The DLC expands climbing content with an overhang climb, speed climb, new climbing gym, and additional routes. These additions provide fresh challenges for experienced players.

DLC offers harder challenge mode: The DLC is significantly harder than the base game, playing like a challenge mode. It focuses on small maps with challenging routes.

Stage three loading error: A player reports that the third stage cannot be loaded due to an error, blocking progress. This is a single report but describes a specific technical failure.

DLC praised as excellent: Multiple reviewers describe the DLC as excellent and amazing content, and recommend it despite some flaws. It is broadly viewed as a strong addition worth playing.

Negative despite free DLC: Some reviewers still do not recommend the DLC even though it is free, with one saying they would have refunded it if it cost money. Another gives a thumbs down until hotfixes arrive.

Base game should come first: Reviewers advise new players to start with the base game before touching the DLC. The content is aimed at those who already played the base game and want a fresh challenge.

Recommended because it is free: Several reviewers recommend the DLC largely because it costs nothing, stating free DLC is always recommended. This praise is conditional on the zero price rather than the content itself.

Not worth buying: Some feedback says the DLC is not worth buying and the update is not recommended. These reviewers see little value in the content, particularly as a paid product.

Game completion: 3.0h.

Endgame: 3.0h.

Scenic Outdoor Climbing Enthusiast: Plays on high or ultra settings, explores the scenery, and tolerates mechanically frustrating sections. Motivation: Experiencing beautiful outdoor scenery and a rock-climbing fantasy. Stance: buy.

Challenge-Driven Completionist: Grinds time trials and regular challenges to reach full completion. Motivation: Overcoming difficult challenges and completing all achievements. Stance: buy.

Story-Seeking Chill Player: Plays for narrative and mood, comparing new content with the base game's emotional highs. Motivation: Finding an emotional story and a relaxing short play session. Stance: buy.

Monetization: The reviews focus on a free DLC update and its length/value, with several players appreciating the free content and expressing willingness to pay for future substantial expansions. No review provides evidence of microtransactions, real-money gacha, loot boxes, currency obfuscation, pay-to-win mechanics, or a cash shop. The monetization model discussed is limited to free DLC and hypothetical paid DLC, which is not predatory under the audit criteria.

DLC is very short: Reviewers consistently note that the DLC is short, lasting about 1.5 to 5 hours depending on playstyle. Some mention completion rates and extra climbing extend playtime.

Future DLC teased: The DLC includes hints and easter eggs pointing to a next DLC, and the ending continues into a second DLC. More content is announced and planned for the future.

Willing to pay for DLC: Several reviewers state they would have gladly paid for the DLC, and some wish the developers had made a paid DLC with more content. One notes they likely wouldn't have purchased it if paid.

Developer and release info: The DLC is made by The Game Bakers. Its release was delayed several times, and an August content drop was cancelled for this DLC release.

Pricing and value comparisons: Reviewers compare the free DLC to other games that charge high prices for a single skin or each additional route. The DLC is sold at a reasonable price, and a Deluxe upgrade pack is sold separately.