Cairn: Mathair’s Curse was initially featured on TBL in 2021, inside one of my Keep An Eye On It articles. Anyway, as the release date approaches, it’s a good time for an overview. Cairn is a promising turn-based JRPG that immerses players in a story-rich adventure rooted in Celtic mythology and Scottish culture. Developed and published by Ross McRitchie, the game follows the journey of a young boy named Alex and his mother as they confront a mysterious cult that has unleashed an ancient curse on their homeland, Albaness.
Cairn weaves a narrative that delves deep into themes of love, loss, and family, providing players with a heartfelt and emotionally charged experience. As Alex, players must navigate through various hand-crafted locations, from serene seaside villages to eerie underground caverns, solving puzzles and forging alliances with quirky characters along the way.
Combat in Cairn: Mathair’s Curse is both tactical and humorous, featuring an array of bizarre enemies such as wild haggis and sentient stop signs where players will need to strategically utilize the unique skills of Alex and his companions to overcome these foes and progress through the game.
The game also includes a dream mechanic, allowing players to enter a dark realm where crucial events unfold. Complementing the gameplay is a carefully crafted soundtrack that enhances the mood, with tracks ranging from upbeat battle themes to melancholic tunes that underscore the story’s more poignant moments. You can give the demo a try while the release date is expected for October 2024 on PC via Steam. Below is an overview, screens, and trailer.
About This Game
Cairn: Mathair’s Curse is a turn-based story driven JRPG about a boy and his mother, in an epic story that explores love, loss and family. When a mysterious cult unleashes an ancient curse on their home, Alex and his friends must embark on an adventure, defeating wacky enemies, solving puzzles and meeting new friends along the way!
Explore a large variety of hand-crafted locations, from quaint seaside villages to ancient underground caverns and secret high-tech lairs. Don’t feel like the trip back? Catch a lift in the family campervan and return to previously explored locations. (In a campervan, did I mention campervan!?)
Fight a host of unusual and wacky enemies, including wild roaming haggis’, bewildered stop signs and an odd group of cultists bent on
destroying the world. Use character unique skills to tip the balance and unleash devastation on your foes. Combine the skills of your friends to tactically defeat your enemies.A soundtrack hand-crafted for the world of Cairn. Bop to a variety of tracks from bouncing combat music to spooky exploration ambience and heartbreaking melodies.
