REVIEW / Caravan SandWitch: A Taste of Nostalgia

Caravan SandWitch is like that unexpected road trip your gaming soul craves. Imagine being in a world reminiscent of Mad Max, yet stripped of chaos and infused with a serene, introspective journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape. You’ll step into the shoes of Sauge—whose name is as cool as they come—navigating the dusty remnants of their home planet in a slightly worn but utterly charming van, all while on a quest to find his long-lost sister. There are no shootouts or “game over” screens to dread. It’s purely about exploration, ambiance, and an abundance of heart.

From the moment the game starts, its art style envelops you like sunlight filtering through a cracked window. Caravan SandWitch dazzles with its beauty—soft brushstrokes meet glowing sunsets and overgrown ruins that seem to have tales of their own. Every locale, whether you’re cruising over sandy hills or exploring derelict industrial skeletons, feels like stepping into a painting. And the characters? They’re wonderfully peculiar, akin to those you might find in an indie comic, each with quirks that make you want to know them more.

The story unfolds in a tender, genuine manner, reminiscent of receiving a long-awaited letter from an old friend. It’s an earnest narrative filled with moments that tug at your heartstrings. As Sauge searches for his sister, you’ll encounter a cast of intriguing individuals who’ve managed to carve out lives amidst the ruins. Forget about lengthy exposés or dramatic cutscenes—it’s all about genuine connections and storytelling at a pace that lets you savor every word. A charming detail is the quest log, designed like a social media feed, making task management feel delightfully modern.

Let’s talk about the van—my trusty, if somewhat quirky, travel companion. Cruising through the world of Caravan SandWitch is almost always delightful. The van’s indie-game physics are charmingly unpredictable; just don’t expect to make tight turns without the occasional mishap—I may have inadvertently launched myself off a cliff (don’t judge). As you progress, you’ll get nifty upgrades like a scanner and a grappling hook to unlock new paths. The lack of a fast-travel option, however, did test my patience at times, especially when I wanted to skip the scenic detour and dive right back into the storyline.

One of the game’s most refreshing aspects is its commitment to a pacifist experience. There’s no combat and no threat of dying, which lends itself to a therapeutic, stress-free exploration where you can simply lose yourself in the atmosphere. It allows for emotional moments to resonate, and you can connect with the world at your own pace. Not every game should cause adrenaline spikes, and Caravan SandWitch understands this perfectly.

That being said, the journey isn’t entirely smooth. There were occasional technical hiccups, like frame rate drops and clunky animations. Some side quests mirrored repetitive fetch tasks—talk to Person A, return to Person B, and so on. While these issues didn’t ruin the experience, they did prompt a deep sigh now and then. A little more polish on these elements could have elevated the overall experience.

Despite these bumps, I found myself lingering in the world of Caravan SandWitch longer than expected. The game is filled with hidden corners to explore, environmental details that whisper stories to those who listen, and a hopeful, haunting vibe that lingers long after you’ve wrapped up. Once the credits rolled, I couldn’t resist jumping back in, eager to revisit overlooked spots and reconnect with the quirky characters I’d grown surprisingly attached to.

In a nutshell, Caravan SandWitch offers a road trip for the soul through a forgotten, yet beautifully evocative world. It’s not about blockbuster action—it’s about storytelling, companionship, and perhaps touching the part of your heart that longs for connection. It’s not a perfect game, but the journey it offers is undeniably worthwhile.

This review is based on a retail copy provided by the publisher.

Caravan SandWitch

• Art Style: 9/10
• Story: 8/10
• Gameplay: 6/10
• Performance: 5/10

Overall: 7/10

With its hand-painted visuals, endearing characters, and a narrative that rewards patience over action, Caravan SandWitch champions exploration. While its eccentric mechanics and the absence of fast travel might challenge your enthusiasm, the journey alone is worth experiencing. Despite technical glitches and repetitive side quests, its dreamy atmosphere and emotional core make it a trip worth taking.