Sand and Stars

Games that rely on exploration and dialogue are quite a bit easier to make than those that feature complex mechanics, and they enable you to tell an interesting story without spending months working on graphic design. Sand and Stars is a dialogue-based game in which you explore a western setting and interact with a number of interesting characters. It is very short, as it can be completed in just a few minutes, but it is quite amusing while it lasts.

While, at first glance, it may look like the game takes place in a run-of-the-mill town from the old west, you will soon find that both your surroundings and the characters are a lot stranger than they initially seem.

From a lonely talking cactus, to an accountant that knows how to recognize poisonous snakes, you will find that the characters are not lacking in originality. The dialogue is also very amusing, although it is decidedly one-sided.

The atmosphere in Sand and Stars is very pleasant, as the art style and soundtrack go together well. While the music does get a bit repetitive, the game is short enough for this not to be an issue.

You can control the main character using the arrow keys, interact with others by pressing “Z” and shoot your weapon by pressing “X”. However, we were never able to find any bullets, although you may be luckier in your playthrough.

Sadly, Sand and Stars is much too short, as you can easily complete it in five to ten minutes. While the characters and story are certainly interesting, we get the impression that a lot of ideas never made it into the final product. The dialogue is enjoyable enough to keep you entertained for a brief lunch break, but the amount of content that is offered is simply insufficient.