Caravan SandWitch PS5 Review

Caravan SandWitch PS5 Review – A Cozy, Quirky Journey Through a Beautifully Broken World

In today’s world, there’s a growing appetite for what are often called “cozy games,” and I’ve personally had a great time with titles like Little Kitty, Big City and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain in recent months. Now joining the ranks of these charming experiences is the amazingly named Caravan SandWitch, and I’m pleased to say it’s another memorable adventure.

The protagonist, Sauge, returns to her home planet (inspired by Provence in France) after being away for some time, driven by the search for her missing sister and the desire to unravel the mystery of her disappearance years before. The narrative does a solid job of supporting both your actions and the state of the world, even though the game lacks voice acting.

Not long into the game, you’re handed the keys to a yellow van, which helps you traverse the beautifully broken world more quickly (and even more quickly by holding a button down for a modest speed boost), and it’s also a fun way to do so. Exploring this landscape evokes a haunting feeling, yet the vibrant, high-quality cartoon visuals also gives it a breezy, light-hearted charm. While the world isn’t massive, it offers plenty of space, variety, and activities to keep you engaged throughout its 6+ hour journey.

You’ll spend time disabling jammers to uncover more of the map and reveal points of interest, climbing to high vantage points, turning on radios, and even sitting on cushions to take in the view. Along the way, you’ll collect plenty of components to upgrade both Sauge and her van with various tools, and you’ll assist others with specific tasks, often rewarded with even more components for your efforts.

“You don’t even have to worry about falling from heights—Sauge will simply carry on as if nothing happened, not even bothering to brush herself off.”

The game embraces a very free-form design, allowing you to explore almost anywhere once you’re out in the world, with only a few areas initially blocked off. It also incorporates Metroidvania elements, as certain upgrades are necessary to progress and accomplish specific tasks. The van comes equipped with an antenna that allows you to scan the environment and also lets you mark important objects and items, and those markers remain visible even when you step out of the vehicle. As you progress, the van is upgraded with a grappling hook, which can be used to pull down doors or unearth buried objects. Sauge herself eventually acquires a pulley, which acts as a zipline in designated areas. Using the pulley in combination, you can even use the van’s grappling hook to zip upwards when it’s attached to a pole, adding an extra layer of mobility and exploration.

Caravan SandWitch features no death mechanics, much like Little Kitty, Big City. You don’t even have to worry about falling from heights—Sauge will simply carry on as if nothing happened, not even bothering to brush herself off. The same goes for the van. You can crash it, tumble from heights that would normally result in a fiery wreck, and everything remains perfectly fine. If only the real world was such a nice place.

Unfortunately, the game is currently lacking a bit of polish. I encountered several bugs during my playthrough, including a moment when the square button became completely unresponsive, which was particularly frustrating given how essential it is to the gameplay. Although reloading the game fixed the issue, it left me with some anxiety that it might break again, or something else might. Another aspect that needs improvement is the camera. When Sauge walks near objects, the camera tends to jerk unpredictably, which is jarring in an otherwise pleasant experience.

Caravan SandWitch PS5 Review Summary:

In summary though, Caravan SandWitch is a beautifully crafted adventure, and the combination of using both Sauge and her bright yellow van to solve puzzles is truly delightful. Simply existing in the desolate yet vibrant world is a joy in itself. While this isn’t a game for those seeking intense challenges, the gentle puzzles fit perfectly with the overall tone. Hopefully, the minor issues will be addressed, as only a bit of polish is needed to align with the high quality found throughout the rest of the game.