Dust and Salt

Come on, I have to try and error over and over again? "Wrong" decision and the game ends. And "wrong" means you have to test which answer is the wrong one. No way, sorry...

Really interesting narrative RPG/strategy game with some neat branching narrative paths to explore

Bardzo przyjemna gra, świetna fabuła i klimat.

This is basically a poorly written visual novel, albeit with decent artwork and music that gets old fairly quickly. You're presented with options, where you need to make the correct choice every time in order to have a chance at completing the game. However many are confusing and give results you weren't expecting, or don't properly detail what in fact the action is. Battles play out, but you can't let any troops die because they don't get replaced and you won't be able to win the battles towards the end. Waste of time, not even worth the 5 bucks I paid to get it on sale.

Developed and published by Prime Games, Dust and Salt is a distinctive blend of medieval fantasy storytelling and tactical strategy that leans heavily into player choice. Rather than presenting an epic tale through lavish cutscenes and spectacle, it embraces a more intimate and literary approach. The story begins with personal tragedy as the protagonist loses his father and is left with little more than a desire for justice in the unforgiving Sin Lands. From that moment onward, players are tasked with forging their own legacy, gathering companions, making difficult decisions, and determining whether their journey will be remembered as one of honor, ambition, or revenge. The game's greatest strength lies in its narrative design. Dust and Salt borrows heavily from classic choose-your-own-adventure books and tabletop campaigns, giving players an impressive amount of control over how events unfold. Conversations are often layered with consequences that may not become apparent until much later in the campaign. Allies can become enemies, opportunities can disappear permanently, and entire storylines can change depending on the player's actions. This commitment to meaningful choice gives the world a sense of authenticity and makes each playthrough feel personal. The writing succeeds in creating a bleak but compelling setting where survival often demands compromise. Outside of its narrative sequences, players travel across an illustrated world map filled with encounters, settlements, and dangers. Exploration is simple yet effective, serving as a bridge between story moments and combat scenarios. The tactical battles are presented in a turn-based format that prioritizes positioning and unit management over overwhelming complexity. Different troop types fulfill specialized roles on the battlefield, encouraging players to adapt their strategies depending on the encounter. While the combat system lacks the depth of larger strategy franchises, it complements the game's focus on storytelling and keeps the pacing varied throughout the adventure. Dust and Salt also deserves recognition for how it handles character development. Progression is tied closely to player decisions rather than an endless list of statistics and upgrades. Early choices influence available abilities and shape the protagonist's identity, reinforcing the game's central themes of consequence and self-determination. Whether players become a compassionate leader, a feared conqueror, or something in between is entirely up to them. This emphasis on role-playing extends to the supporting cast, many of whom leave a lasting impression despite the game's modest scope. Presentation-wise, Prime Games opts for a minimalist style that fits the experience remarkably well. The hand-drawn aesthetic gives the Sin Lands a rugged charm, while the soundtrack contributes significantly to the atmosphere. The music adds weight to moments of triumph and tragedy alike, helping immerse players in a world that feels ancient and unforgiving. Although the production values are understandably limited compared to bigger releases, the artistic cohesion ensures the game maintains its identity from beginning to end. That said, Dust and Salt is not a game for everyone. Its text-heavy structure requires patience, and players looking for fast-paced action or visually extravagant set pieces may struggle to connect with it. Combat can occasionally feel repetitive during extended sessions, and some transitions between exploration and battle disrupt the overall momentum. However, these shortcomings are relatively minor when compared to the strength of the narrative and the freedom afforded to players throughout the campaign. Dust and Salt ultimately succeeds because it knows exactly what it wants to be. It is a thoughtful fusion of interactive fiction and strategy that values player agency above all else. By combining meaningful decisions, tactical encounters, and an atmospheric medieval setting, Prime Games has crafted an experience that stands apart from more conventional role-playing games. For fans of branching narratives and old-school fantasy adventures, Dust and Salt offers a rewarding journey that invites multiple playthroughs. Rating: 7/10

Positive review because while the game is playable and somewhat enjoyable. The entire combat system and the importance of it to the story and progression plus the weird checkpoint system kills all replay value. Not to mention the story feels rushed and the only reason why it took me two hours to play is because I had to go back and forth from checkpoint to checkpoint to redo choices. Is it a decent game? Yes. Is it something I'm ever going to play again? No. I am going to uninstall it and never think about it again probably. Will I be playing the sequel? Yes I'm going to launch it right now and I plan to play through the entire thing.

Fun little adventure book. The soundtrack is top notch, the art is lovely, the writing is by and large quite decent, and the story, whilst fairly standard, is engaging enough. The turn based battle are very simplistic, and largely come down to using your ranged units to whittle the enemy number down. The final battle where you get even more ranged options is trivially easy. As is often the way in adventure books, often your actions come out to poor outcomes in ways you couldn't predict, forcing you to use the, mercifully frequent, checkpoint system. Although I wish there was a quicker way to speed through the text, although it's not the most egregious. Overall, recommended.

Very short game (2.5 hours for me) but a very refreshing change of pace. Looks gorgeous and scratches that choose your own adventure itch. I liked the story and the choices presented. I'd probably recommend waiting until it is on sale though.

It's ok!

Yes