If you asked me what I thought about Caravan SandWitch, I’d say it’s a solid game – But if you asked me on a deeper level, I’d say it’s the only game gutsy enough to dive into what comes after a story’s big climax.
Your adventure kicks off when Sauge, now reaching adulthood, hops on a flying train bound for her home planet, Cigalo.
No one gives a damn about this off-the-grid planet, so the station’s a ghost town and powerless. You’re all alone, except for a tiny, ancient robot who’s thrilled to tell you that you’re the second person he’s talked to this year. With no tickets to buy for the self-driven train, you just sneak aboard. Screw the robo-police.
The reason our redhead is so keen on heading back is that she received a text from her sister, Garance. Don’t get it twisted as a family reunion – Garance has been missing for six years, ever since a catastrophic sandstorm hit Cigalo.
With all the drama unfolding behind the scenes long before you take control of the main character, you might wonder why Caravan SandWitch kicks off here.
But give it a few minutes and, hopefully, a few lines into this review, and you’ll be swayed by the most unexpected setting: a desolate, wind-swept desert planet with a gripping past.
Cue the tumbleweed.
Key Details
- Developer: Plane Toast
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch/PC via Steam/PlayStation 5
- Price: $24.99
- Review Copy Provided: Yes
Hello? Is There Anybody in There?
In a bid to crack the mystery of your not-so-missing sister, you hop on the train, and just as the moodiest music starts playing, you’re off to the planet you ditched six years ago. Cigalo’s a far cry from Space City, and with all communications jammed, you’re not exactly writing home anytime soon.
Cigalo is your playground – explore it however you want, whether on foot or by caravan. Scale mountains, pry open doors, and hack outdated biometrics scans to your heart’s content.
The same signal jammer blocking Cigalo’s communication with Space City also prevents your map from working. To figure out where you are, you’ll need to dismantle Signal Jammers perched atop some ruins.
That’s where the puzzle-solving kicks in. Unlike in The Legend of Zelda, where climbing walls is the norm, in Caravan SandWitch, Sauge can’t just scale the ruins. You’ll need to direct power to various rooms to open doors, lower ladders, and help her get to the red and white antenna that’s causing all the trouble.
Sauge might not be a superhero, but she’s the only one on the planet with a vehicle. Naturally, she quickly becomes the go-to person for everyone in Cigalo – the villagers, nomads, oversized frogs, and even the robots.
Driving a Bit Too Safe
Sure, Sauge is on a mission to figure out why her sister, who vanished six years ago. But that doesn’t mean she won’t pitch in with side quests for the folks she grew up with. Not only does it help them out, but you’ll also score components to upgrade your caravan. It’s a total win-win.
You’ll be doing a lot of driving in Caravan SandWitch. The map isn’t huge, but there’s no comfortable enough fast-travel system you can count on, so it’s just you and your four wheels – plus the spare wheel on the back.
Sauge drives fast and turns on a dime. With Cigalo’s bumpy terrain, driving is always exciting. You can stick to the roads or blaze your own trail, knowing that if you get stuck, you can teleport back to the garage, and you won’t take any fall or crash damage.
You might have noticed there’s no health bar, and that’s because you can’t die. Your caravan can survive the worst driving blunders without a scratch, and Sauge can leap off cliffs only to land on her feet with a loud thud. While I didn’t expect an eighteen-year-old to ragdoll her way to death like in GTA, I would’ve appreciated some kind of punishment to keep the world’s reality in check.
In a story that’s so deeply focused on humanity and fragility, being able to leap off a rooftop after jamming a signal – just because you know you won’t face any consequences – can break the immersion and feel a bit too sandboxy.
Feeling Homesick For a Planet That’s Never Really Been Yours
I don’t even need to tell you Caravan SandWitch is stunning – you’ve probably noticed by now.
That said, as someone who grew up in a desolate desert town and couldn’t wait to leave, I was constantly amazed by how rich and beautiful the dunes and muted greens of Cigalo turned out to be.
The color palette really works together, creating a stunning experience whether you’re cruising through the dunes or exploring the ruins.
I’ve already called the soundtrack moody, but it’s more than that. French artist Antynomy crafted a 23-track score that perfectly accompanies your journey through the distant, nostalgic corners of Cigalo.
It’s a soundtrack that breaks away from the typical open-world exploration tunes, but it fits Caravan SandWitch perfectly. The music hits a nostalgic note that mirrors how Sauge must feel as she scales the dunes of her old home planet.
Final Score: 8/10
If you’re after a chill experience where you can soak in a sci-fi world without the hassle of combat and fall damage, Caravan SandWitch has you covered.
Though it has its rough patches, the game weaves a story that keeps you moving – whether you’re driving, climbing, or rebooting power. You’re constantly engaged with the wonders of the planet and its remnants, making for a narrative that never feels stagnant.
Looking for a more action-based offering? Check out our review for Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2. Or read up on the improvements coming to Garden Witchlife if you are looking for a cozy option.
**A Steam PC code was provided to Bonus Action for the purpose of this review.**
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