TRAILS

About

TRAILS is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by PurpleSloth and was released on May 29, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

TRAILS is a cozy single-player puzzle game where you guide sand ships across a crumbling desert by drawing paths that avoid collisions and repeated spaces. Strategically plan routes to deliver vital cargo to isolated outposts, managing each ship’s limited capacity and coordinating resources carefully. Success depends on efficient, thoughtful navigation through a shifting landscape.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a well-thought-out progression of puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty, providing a satisfying challenge without being unfair.
The visuals and acoustic guitar soundtrack create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of solving puzzles.
Quality of life features, such as the ability to unlock all levels and modify paths easily, make the gameplay more enjoyable and accessible for players.

The initial puzzles are quite simple, which may frustrate players looking for an immediate challenge.
There is no option to undo changes made to paths, which can be inconvenient during gameplay.
The game can cause high CPU usage even during idle moments, indicating potential optimization issues.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is centered around a simple line-drawing puzzle format where players navigate ships through an obstacle grid, gradually introducing new mechanics like resource management and obstacle removal. While the initial levels are easy and serve as a gentle introduction, the difficulty ramps up in later stages, providing a satisfying challenge that encourages self-discovery and problem-solving. Overall, the game features smooth mechanics, charming visuals, and a well-paced progression that keeps players engaged.
- “Gameplay takes place in an obstacle grid, and for most of the levels, you must draw a path for a couple of ships until their destination.”
- “As the game progresses, new mechanics are introduced, such as the need to pick and drop resources, or keys to remove obstacles.”
- “I really appreciated the way the puzzles taught the players new mechanics through a 'show-don't-tell' style that allows the player a sense of efficacy and self-discovery.”
- “The map is annotated with messages in a constructed language, but they are not essential for the gameplay, except for the final achievement.”
- “There’s a linear main path which introduces each new mechanic with fairly easy levels, followed by a short difficulty ramp-up, and then it switches to the next mechanic.”
- “New mechanics roll in gradually, and by the end, some of the side quests are brutal!”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics are described as functional and well-readable, which is essential for a puzzle game, while also being simple, stylized, and aesthetically pleasing. The visuals contribute to a serene atmosphere, complemented by gentle music and thoughtful level design, creating a clean and comfortable experience for players. Overall, the art style and animations enhance gameplay by effectively guiding players through mechanics and objectives.
- “It’s a serene game that includes both gentle puzzles and tricky optional content, with reflective tones set by tranquil visuals and an acoustic guitar soundtrack.”
- “Everything around it feels gentle: music, visuals, mechanics, progress, and even its settings.”
- “While you learn about the mechanics, cute graphics and small animations show you where the ship needs to go and what resource you need to bring where.”
- “The visuals are simple and stylized, which may not appeal to everyone.”
- “The graphics lack detail and depth, making the game feel less immersive.”
- “While the art style is charming, it ultimately feels too simplistic for a modern game.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The music in the game is characterized by a calming acoustic guitar soundtrack that enhances the serene atmosphere, making it a perfect backdrop for both gentle and challenging puzzles. While the soundtrack is generally appreciated for its beauty and ability to create a relaxing environment, some players find it can become repetitive during extended play sessions. Overall, the combination of tranquil visuals and soothing music contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The atmosphere is super relaxing, thanks to the beautiful music.”
- “Trails is a delightful puzzle game that gracefully pairs challenging (yet fair) puzzles with a delightfully serene soundtrack.”
- “The acoustic guitar soundtrack is decent, but inevitably gets tiresome after long sessions.”
- “It’s a serene game that includes both gentle puzzles and tricky optional content, with reflective tones set by tranquil visuals and an acoustic guitar soundtrack.”
- “The music is calm, but it can become repetitive and lacks variety.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The story is subtly woven into the gameplay, rewarding players who pay attention, while the gradual introduction of new mechanics enhances the experience. Additionally, some side quests present significant challenges, adding depth to the narrative.
- “It's subtle, but it's there if you're paying attention, and I really appreciate that kind of storytelling.”
- “New mechanics roll in gradually, and by the end, some of the side quests are brutal!”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is shallow, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
- “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is highly praised for its relaxing qualities, enhanced by beautiful music and stunning visuals. The warm colors and cozy soundtrack create an immersive experience that allows players to fully appreciate the game's ambiance.
- “The atmosphere is super relaxing, thanks to the beautiful music.”
- “The visual representation is gorgeous with the shaders it has; the warm colors and the cozy soundtrack let you get lost in the atmosphere and take it in all its glory.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Reviewers note that the game's optimization could be improved, particularly due to the significant amount of idle time that players experience while thinking, suggesting that a more streamlined experience would enhance gameplay.
- “Since you will spend a lot of time thinking, there is quite a bit of idle time, so I think this could be better optimized.”
- “Since you will spend a lot of time thinking, there is quite a lot of idle time, so I think this could be better optimized.”