There's something about the desert world of Caravan SandWitch which I found to be surprisingly compelling.
The post-apocalyptic adventure on offer here sees you take on the role of Sauge. This protagonist finds herself journeying back from space, returning to her ravaged home planet, all in the name of finding her long-lost sister.
On first impression though, I was left a little underwhelmed — things start on a rather barren and boring space station. A typical sci-fi setting that should make for an exciting intro, but felt a little flat and half-baked here. Thankfully, within mere minutes, you're whisked away on a transporter back home. This transition, which is presented rather beautifully, quickly regained my attention, and before I knew it I found myself on the home planet where the game truly plays out.
Upon landing, any reservations about the experience I was about to embark upon quickly dissipated. The world and cast of characters found within Caravan SandWitch make an immediate, positive first impression and have plenty of soul — which may seem somewhat odd considering it's set on a largely empty, abandoned planet.
After some customary explanation, world-building, and initiation — you're free to explore this unexpectedly sized open world. Now, this is where the magic of this modest adventure is truly found. You leave the endearing central town, ready to explore the desolate planet in a charming little yellow van — trundling across the landscape, discovering the various locales dotted across the desert setting of Provence.
There's an interesting contrast here because although the world of Caravan SandWitch isn't particularly filled to the brim with interesting things to see and do, there's just enough to keep a level of intrigue to make you want to keep exploring. It's a game world of restraint, but one that's well-realised. Provence has the disparaging contrast of being a space that feels warm, and grounded, whilst also at times seeming bleak and exploited. It gave me that same sense of exploration found in Breath of the Wild — where I was just curious enough to see what was behind the next hill, or around the next corner.
This is the joy of Caravan SandWitch — having a space to explore at will, and it being absorbing enough to enjoyably spend time in. Development studio Plane Toast has created a game world of true merit here. It's a game that offers an overall gentle experience — one that encourages this exploration, without the threat of any violence or damage. A space you'll find yourself happily getting lost in.
Your journey across this largely unoccupied planet sees you piecing together the mystery of your aforementioned sister's disappearance. The simple story is pushed along via a novel in-game social network, which the few remaining inhabitants of your home world use to communicate. It's here where you'll discuss what to do next, text out updates on your progress, and get messages about where you may want to head — all in a rather low-pressure way.
You'll visit abandoned outposts and factories, tasked with getting a mobile signal working again, or getting power back online. Simple stuff. But done in a delightful way.
True progression is found via making upgrades to your van. Adding new tools and accessories to your ride — ultimately enabling new abilities which allow you to explore new places, such as those behind previously closed doors.
Getting these upgrades can feel like a bit of a slog though at times. You need to collect various parts to craft your van upgrades, but finding them can feel a bit uneven. This need to find supplies is the driving force for exploring the world at large, but on more than one occasion I felt the game wasn't really respecting my time by sending me on an ambiguous treasure hunt. Yes, it was lovely to explore the world (and I've got countless screenshots to prove it — photo mode please!), but having this tiresome scouring be the primary reason for it takes away a bit of the shine and joy of doing so.
Although Caravan SandWitch gets a lot right in the roughly seven or eight hours you'll spend with it, the playtime does feel a touch padded in places — which left me feeling the overall experience would be a lot tighter and more enjoyable if possibly trimmed in half. However, that's not to say this one isn't worth checking out — the mystery you're tasked with unravelling is simple but compelling, the world you explore masterfully crafted and rooted in a sense of (bleak) reality, and the core gameplay refreshingly loose.
A simple adventure that invites you to jump in the van, hit the dunes, and lose yourself as you journey across the sand. Charming stuff.
The game was played on Steam Deck. A review copy was provided by Dear Villagers.
Caravan SandWitch is available now on PC (Steam), the PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
