Cairn Trophy Guide: Triggering “Your Story” Trophy After the Ending

Image Credits: The Game Bakers

What to know

  • “Your Story” is not awarded automatically when the game ends
  • Both endings are valid, whether you descend with Marco or reach the summit
  • You must use the post-game route review feature to trigger the trophy
  • Staying faithful to your original path matters during the review

After finishing Cairn, many players assume all story trophies unlock naturally. The “Your Story” trophy works differently. Even after completing the narrative, the game quietly expects one final interaction: revisiting and reviewing the exact route that defined your climb. Missing this step is the main reason the trophy doesn’t appear for otherwise completed saves.

Quick overview of the “Your Story” trophy in Cairn

AspectDetails
Trophy nameYour Story
CategoryStory / Missable
When it unlocksAfter game completion
Required actionReview your completed route
Valid endingsSummit ending or Marco descent
Common failure pointSkipping or deviating in route review

Why doesn’t the trophy unlock automatically

Unlike standard progression trophies, “Your Story” is tied to reflection rather than completion. Cairn treats your climb as a personal narrative shaped by every hold, detour, and decision. The trophy only unlocks once you actively revisit that journey, reinforcing the theme that your path—not just the destination—is what defines the story.

Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube - Emmie Jacobs
Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube – Emmie Jacobs

This design choice also explains why simply loading the credits or reaching a final cutscene isn’t enough. The game waits for confirmation that you’ve acknowledged your route.

Understanding the route review feature

After the ending credits, a new option becomes available on the menu called Review Route. This mode lets you retrace your climb in a guided, non-interactive way. While it feels passive, the system is still tracking your position along the original path, which is why significant deviation can prevent the trophy from triggering.

The review isn’t timed, and there’s no penalty for stopping early, but leaving before reaching your narrative endpoint will delay the trophy.

How the ending choice affects the trophy trigger

The game supports two core conclusions, and both fully qualify for the “Your Story” trophy. The difference lies only in where the trophy unlocks during the route review.

If your story ends with descending alongside Marco, the trophy is tied to the blade landmark, symbolizing the shared conclusion of that journey. If you chose to continue upward and reach the summit, the trophy triggers at the mountain’s peak, reinforcing the solitary achievement.

Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube - Emmie Jacobs
Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube – Emmie Jacobs

Importantly, neither ending is preferred or restricted. The trophy logic adapts to your narrative outcome.

How to trigger the “Your Story” trophy in Cairn

Complete the game fully, choosing either the Marco descent ending or the summit ascent. Once returned to the menu, select the “Review Route” option, which only appears after a finished playthrough.

Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube - Emmie Jacobs
Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube – Emmie Jacobs

Let the review progress naturally, following the visual replay of your climbing path. Avoid straying too far from the original route during the review, as excessive deviation can block the trigger. If you descended with Marco, continue until the blades landmark, where the trophy should unlock.

Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube - Emmie Jacobs
Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube – Emmie Jacobs

If you reached the Kami summit, allow the review to reach the peak, where the trophy will pop automatically. After the trophy appears, exit the review safely using the Options button.

Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube - Emmie Jacobs
Image credit: The Game Bakers / Via: YouTube – Emmie Jacobs

Common reasons the trophy doesn’t appear

The most frequent issue is exiting the review too early, often because players assume it’s cosmetic. Another problem is over-exploration during the review, which can desync the trigger point from your actual narrative endpoint. The system expects a faithful replay, not a free-roam session.

It’s also worth noting that the trophy will not unlock mid-review unless you reach the correct endpoint tied to your chosen ending.

Your Story Trophy as a mark of the endgame

Player choiceTrophy unlock point
Descended with MarcoAt the blades
Reached the summitAt the summit peak
Route deviation too largeTrophy may fail to trigger

The “Your Story” trophy in Cairn is a quiet but meaningful finale, designed to make you reflect on the climb rather than rush past it. As long as you finish the game, review your route, and stay true to your original path, the trophy will unlock naturally at the correct story endpoint. If it doesn’t pop the first time, simply repeat the route review calmly—no replay is required.

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