214: Cairn (with Rachel Watts)

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Join Dave and special guest Rachel Watts (Thinky Games, Indieventure podcast) as they discuss Cairn (The Game Bakers, 2026). Cairn is a meticulous, thoughtful climbing game that takes you into the mind of an elite athlete as she attempts a climb that has never been done before. While it has some (unintentionally) frustrating moments, Cairn is an extremely strong and affecting game- listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: Rachel Watts (she/her)

Check out Thinky Games https://thinkygames.com

Check out Indieventure https://indieventurepodcast.co.uk

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Title Card

0:23 Introductions

5:09 Our Histories with The Game Bakers & Cairn

8:58 Top Level Thoughts

17:32 Story Setup and Characterizing Aava

31:40 Climbing Mechanics

37:36 High Difficulty Meets a Few Shaky Systems

54:53 Visual Design, Sound Design and Music

1:03:12 Survival on Mt. Kami

1:17:58 Who Should Play Cairn?

1:24:32 Thinky Games and Indieventure Podcast

1:28:54 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous

1:30:30 Spoilers- Fun Moments & Tough Challenges

1:54:19 Spoilers- Let's Talk About Aava

2:22:42 Spoilers- Ending Discussion

Music used in the episode is credited to Martin Stig Andersen, Gilda and The Toxic Avenger. Tracks used: The Mountain is Calling, Rise, Fatigue Is In Your Head, Only the Mountain, In My Gut, Stars, Part of a Whole

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures Support Tales from the Backlog