Caravan SandWitch Review – A Sci-Fi Road Trip with a Side of Mystery

Imagine your sister has been missing for years, and suddenly, you receive a cryptic distress signal from her. What would you do? If you’re anything like Sauge, the protagonist of Caravan SandWitch, you’d jump on the first interplanetary subway home and start searching.

Developed by the French indie studio Plane Toast and published by Dear Villagers, Caravan SandWitch is a sci-fi adventure set on the desert planet of Cigalo. Originally conceived as a top-down shooter, the game evolved into an open-world exploration title with a unique premise and a charmingly handcrafted feel. Released on September 12, 2024, it’s available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 5.

A Journey Across a Deserted World

The game casts you as Sauge (French for ‘sage’), who returns to her home planet after receiving a distress call from her long-lost sister, Garance. But things on Cigalo are far from normal. Signal jammers disrupt communication, a massive electrical storm looms in the distance, and mysterious forces seem to be at play. As Sauge embarks on her journey, she reunites with old acquaintances, including the inventive Nèfle and her grandmother Rose, who entrusts her with an old but sturdy caravan. This vehicle becomes both home and key to unlocking the planet’s secrets.

The planet’s post-apocalyptic landscape tells the story of a catastrophe that occurred 40 years prior. Once-thriving industrial zones have been swallowed by the desert, and nature is slowly reclaiming abandoned structures. Exploring this world is both fascinating and frustrating—while you can technically traverse the entire map early on, some areas remain inaccessible until you upgrade your caravan. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t always make it clear when an upgrade is needed, leading to occasional aimless wandering.

Gameplay: A Mix of Exploration, Puzzles, and Upgrades

Much of Caravan SandWitch revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and upgrading your caravan. Resources are scattered throughout the world, divided into four categories of varying rarity. Once collected, these are handed over to Nèfle, who installs new technology on your caravan—often unlocking access to previously unreachable areas.

There’s a strong social aspect to the game as well. The town of Estello is populated with NPCs, many of whom are delighted to see Sauge return, while others resent her departure. Expect to spend a good chunk of time engaging in dialogue, taking on side quests, and learning about the world’s history. The game introduces a cast of characters with plant-inspired names like Yucca, Clémentine, Saffron, and Abricot, alongside anthropomorphic frogs known as Reinetos—the planet’s original inhabitants.

Side quests often provide extra context to Cigalo’s struggles, though some have time limits, requiring you to complete them before upgrading your caravan. The environmental message is woven throughout the narrative, painting a picture of a world suffering from corporate greed and ecological collapse.

Graphics, Sound, and Performance

Visually, Caravan SandWitch sports a minimalist, stylized aesthetic. While the differences between Switch, PC, and PS5 versions aren’t huge, the Switch version does suffer from lower resolution, reduced polygon counts, and occasional camera issues—especially when climbing through complex environments. That said, performance is mostly smooth, and loading times are reasonable.

The soundtrack, composed by the French musician Antynomy, adds a distinct flair to the experience. The title track, sung in French, stands out from typical English-language gaming soundtracks, further reinforcing the game’s unique identity.

A Relaxing Yet Imperfect Adventure

One notable aspect of Caravan SandWitch is its stress-free approach—Sauge cannot die. Whether falling from great heights or driving her caravan off a cliff, the only real danger is getting stuck in the environment (which can be resolved with a quick teleport to the garage). However, some mechanics, like controlling the caravan and using installed devices, take some getting used to.

The game offers two different endings, which can be easily accessed by replaying the final mission. However, there’s no post-game exploration—once the credits roll, you must reload your last save if you want to wrap up unfinished side quests.

Final Ride

Playing Caravan SandWitch feels like eating a packed sandwich on a long road trip—you start off excited, but after a while, the experience becomes repetitive. While the game boasts a strong premise, an intriguing world, and a compelling environmental message, it’s not without flaws. The lack of clear signposting, occasional aimless wandering, and some underexplained mechanics hold it back from greatness. Still, for those looking for a laid-back sci-fi adventure with a touch of mystery, it’s a journey worth taking.

Final Rating: 70 %