Cirno! Lifts a Boulder

About Cirno! Lifts a Boulder

Cirno! Lifts a Boulder is a 3D platformer developed by Alexander Golke that drops you into a frosty lake setting to solve a classic problem: a mischievous boulder blocking Cirno’s home. Released in March 2026, it’s a lightweight but polished game designed for PC and Linux. You play as Cirno, a character with the absurd ability to lift boulders, which becomes the key to regaining access to her house. The vibe is lighthearted and whimsical, with minimal story beats but plenty of charm. It’s a short, focused experience, perfect for players wanting a quick platforming challenge without the bloat of modern open worlds.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time moving Cirno through Misty Lake’s icy terrain, which involves basic platforming, ice-based puzzles, and the game’s standout mechanic: lifting and relocating boulders. Progression hinges on building strength to move heavier rocks, which in turn unlocks new areas. Controls are simple but responsive, with a focus on precise jumps and timing. Each level is a self-contained puzzle where you might have to clear debris, trigger mechanisms, or create pathways. The camera occasionally struggles with tight spaces, but the low-stakes nature of the game means you can restart without frustration. Sessions rarely last more than 30 minutes, and the whole thing clocks in around 3-4 hours.

What Players Think

Cirno! Lifts a Boulder holds a 4.2/5 average on PlayPile with 89% of players completing it. The community mood leans overwhelmingly positive, with tags like "chill," "nostalgic," and "surprisingly satisfying." Average playtime is 3.8 hours, and 72% of players finish it in one sitting. Critics note its "delightfully absurd premise" and "tight physics," though some call it "a bit too bite-sized." Achievement completion rates are high, 85% of players unlock 75%+ of the 15 available. One user wrote, "It’s like a Mario level that went rogue and became a zen master."

PlayPile's Take

At $14.99, Cirno! Lifts a Boulder is a solid pick for fans of minimalist platformers or anyone needing a quick fix of joy. It’s not deep, but it’s well-executed and ends on a satisfying note. The achievements are easy but rewarding, and the physics puzzles add enough variety to keep it from feeling repetitive. Skip if you want a meaty adventure, but embrace it if you’re in the mood for a quirky, stress-free game. It’s proof that small ideas can land with big impact.

Storyline

A mischievous group of fairies has locked Cirno out of her very own home by placing a huge boulder right in front of it. Luckily for Cirno, getting rid of it is simple: she just needs to get stronger.