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Cairn: Interactive Fiction

Cairn: Interactive Fiction

Classic Adventures, Mapped

4 ratings
6 reviews
🎮 Games
⚔️ Adventure
$19.99

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • June 15, 2026
  • August 30, 2026

Features

Developer

Daniel Ducat
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Cairn: Interactive Fiction screenshot #1 for iPhone
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iphone
ipad
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❓8 answered
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About

This app serves as a player for classic text adventures, allowing you to bring your own story files. It features automatic mapping, integrated reference materials, and iCloud syncing across devices for a seamless experience.

✓Automatic live mapping
✓Visual room and connection tracking
✓Support for Z3, Z4, Z5, Z7, and Z8 story files
✓Attach custom PDFs and images
✓User-supplied hint file support
✓Inventory bar
✓Customizable themes
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What's New in Cairn

3.2.1

August 30, 2026

Bug fixes on iPad regarding orientation changes/ Set your iPad down, pick it up, or turn it around, and the map, your notebook, or the manual you were reading stays open. Cairn was treating the iPad's own movement as a request to go back to the story.

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User reviews

Most RecentHighest RatedLowest Rated

Wonderful interpreter

Loads of polish and fun in this application. And with one purchase it’s on all supported devices. Hands down one of the best interpreters, library, and notes feature I’ve seen for interactive fiction.
feveredmonkfeveredmonk

Amazing

This app is great. The auto mapping feature is super helpful!
HejgjrbdbHejgjrbdb

Response from developer

Glad you are enjoying Cairn! Keep an eye out for updates. We've got some mapping improvements planned in the coming months. Thanks for your support!

Well worth the price!

You would once upon a time pay $20 for a collection of Infocom games on CD-ROM. Today that gets you an app on which you can play not only the majority of Infocom’s catalog, but untold numbers of other interactive fiction games. The integration of mapping and hints is seamless, and the UX is excellent. Controls are intuitive and everything is highly customizable. A must-have app for any fan of text adventures, classic and/or contemporary.
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TheZenMonkeyTheZenMonkey

Response from developer

Thanks for the review! IFDB is a great place to look for 3rd party stories. There is a robust community who are keeping interactive fiction alive.

Simply Fantastic

I’ve been looking for a replacement to The Lost Treasures of Infocom ever since Activision abandoned it and never made a 64-bit version. Enter Daniel Ducat. He made an app as good and even better than the original! You just need to do a little work to find the games and invisiclues, but that just adds to the fun. Now I can recycle my old 32-bit iPad.
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thertaylorthertaylor

Brilliant idea and execution.

Just, click buy. This app is polished, and so well done - such a great experience as well if you’re like me; having already mapped out by hand INFOCOM games as a teen way back when.
Henry BreenHenry Breen

Response from developer

Be sure to check out the indie community of game authors on IFDB. There are some interesting non-Infocom stories being told out there,

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FAQ

Does Cairn include any games?

No, Cairn is a player for classic text adventures and does not include any games. You must provide your own story files, which can be downloaded from various archives or are games you already own.

What devices does Cairn support?

Cairn is available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Your progress, saved games, and materials sync across these devices via iCloud.

What types of story files does Cairn support?

Cairn supports the complete classic Infocom Z3, Z4, and Z5 catalog, as well as Z-machine version 7 and version 8 stories. It does not support Beyond Zork or Version 6 graphical stories.

How much does Cairn cost?

Cairn is a paid application priced at $19.99. This single purchase includes access on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Does Cairn have ads?

No, Cairn is ad-free. As a paid application, it does not contain any advertisements.

How does the automatic mapping feature work in Cairn?

Cairn automatically builds a visual map of the game world as you explore. It tracks every room, connection, and pathway, helping you focus on the game's puzzles and story without needing to manually create maps.

Can I attach my own reference materials to stories in Cairn?

Yes, you can attach your own PDFs and images to each story, such as manuals, maps, or feelies. These materials can be viewed alongside the game within the app.

How often is Cairn updated?

Cairn was last updated on August 15, 2026, with version 3.0.0. The release date for this version was June 15, 2026, indicating active development and regular updates.