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[Thread] Caravan SandWitch is now available on Steam, Switch & PS5. This sci-fi narrative exploration game invented a new subgenre: “Provencepunk". I really enjoyed it, and recommend it. But all tastes are different, so I invite you to read this thread to find out if this game is for you. (1/16)

My mother lives in Provence, in south-east France, for a number of years. This region has a special charm that I associate with my summer vacations. Sunny days, arid lands, olive groves, the song of the cicadas... (2/16)

Caravan SandWitch transposes all these sensations to a distant planet: Cigalo. Sauge left Cigalo a long time ago to work on a space station. Cigalo was ravaged by a catastrophe 40 years ago, and the jobs are gone, as are the workers. All that's left is a meager local population. (3/16)

And 6 years ago, Garance, your older sister, disappeared. But then... Sauge receives a distress signal from Garance's ship. Aboard a space train, she hurries back to her home planet, where she reconnects with her family and childhood friends. (4/16)

And she is entrusted with a van to travel the desert. But before the signal can be traced, mysterious jammers have to be deactivated. These jammers are to be found in a medium-sized open world. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to traverse it in a van, and that's great. (5/16)

The game doesn't last any longer than necessary, and I was perfectly satisfied when I reached the end of the adventure after exactly 7 hours and 36 minutes. My only real regret, to be honest, is the rather abrupt ending. (6/16)

In terms of game design, this is first and foremost an exploration game. You have quests to follow, but you're also free to go wherever you want... provided you have the right tools. A little touch of “Metroidvania” that didn't displease me. (7/16)

So it's your curiosity that drives the adventure. But not only that, since the main quest is a true sci-fi story. It doesn't invent anything, but it does its job very well. And the side quests allow you to get to know some very endearing characters. (8/16)

But also to discover the secrets of this planet's history, its first inhabitants and its ecosystem. You move around on foot and in a van. I have to say that I had a lot of fun playing Caravan SandWitch just after finishing Star Wars Outlaws, because you're back to a certain sense of (9/16)

exploration. A bit like the recent Zelda games. Minus the combat. Caravan SandWitch is a wholesome game, one that refuses to be frustrating. You're going to admire some splendid, relaxing landscapes, and nothing is going to stop you from enjoying them. Fall off a decrepit factory? (10/16)

Caravan SandWitch doesn't waste your time, EXCEPT if you feel like it. Looking at the sea, for example. The same goes for the puzzles, which are generally nice but never difficult. The formula invented by the game's creators works well. (12/16)

We're not here to get in over our heads, but at the same time, sometimes you have to test a little. Cigalo is magnificent. And much more than we can see. Cigalo is a planet neglected by the Weyland-Yutani of this universe, a company that seeks only profit. (13/16)

The game therefore has a social subtext, which goes surprisingly well with the atmosphere of being wholesome and positive. Speaking of social subtext, if you usually write “w*ke” all over the place while making lists of masterpieces you'll never play, move on. (14/16)