Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game
- April 2, 2023
- Veil of Dust
- 8h median play time
Get on SteamA story-driven Survival/ Farm RPG about learning to live after loss. Farm, Forage, Hunt & Craft (on casual or challenge mode) to survive in the deserts of 1860's Oregon. Talk to NPCs & deepen your relationships, upgrade the homestead & explore while you unravel a story about love & tenacity.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a compelling narrative with well-developed characters, particularly the sibling relationship between Aine and Shane, which adds emotional depth.
- The gameplay loop is engaging, combining farming, crafting, and survival mechanics with a unique blend of magic and historical elements.
- The writing is praised for its authenticity and charm, with realistic dialogue and character arcs that enhance the overall experience.
- The romance system restricts character interactions, locking players out of developing relationships with other characters once a romantic partner is chosen, which can diminish replay value.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as movement and combat controls, are described as clunky and can lead to frustrating experiences during exploration and battles.
- The game lacks sufficient post-story content, leaving players with limited activities to pursue after completing the main narrative.
- story87 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly the sibling relationship that explores themes of family, trauma, and personal growth. While the main narrative is compelling and well-written, some players feel that the post-story content lacks engagement, leading to a sense of stagnation. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong point, with many looking forward to future expansions and additional character arcs.
“The main storyline between the siblings is incredible.”
“The storytelling is really well done, and the characters and setting are both unique and interesting.”
“A sad, beautiful story set in a mostly accurate historical context, telling the tale of overcoming adversity through shared trauma and family bonds, with gameplay that reinforces the given story, light humor, and a wonderful ambience overall.”
“That takes away a lot of incentive to continue playing the game after the story is done, because the world immediately becomes stagnant.”
“As it is, the story just kind of trails off and leads us into a bare bones homestead management game.”
“But if we can't advance any kind of friendship with the other people around us after the main story is over, I would have preferred if the game simply ended after the main story.”
- grinding34 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of repetitive farming tasks and resource management, which some players find tedious yet rewarding. While the farming mechanics can become monotonous, they are integrated into a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience, making the grind feel worthwhile. Players appreciate the balance between farming, crafting, and storytelling, noting that the game offers a satisfying blend of challenges without being overly punishing.
“While there is a fair amount of grinding involved, particularly when it comes to making money, I believe that the game is still worth playing.”
“Gets tedious too easily, but leaves with a nice feeling.”
“Of course, some of it is repetitive, but no other farming game has made me actually take care of my crops or my animals quite as much as Veil of Dust has.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of engaging narrative and solid mechanics, focusing on homesteading, crafting, and character interactions. While it may appear simplistic, the depth of the storyline and the richness of the gameplay loop keep players invested, despite some repetitive tasks. Overall, it offers a unique experience that balances story and mechanics effectively, making it worth trying, especially through the demo.
“This game is simplistic on the surface, but underneath the sepia-toned hood, the writing for the characters, the storyline, the crafting mechanics, and the homesteading experience are really well-done.”
“The characters are interesting to get to know, the mechanics are really solid and intuitive, and it blends several genres very well.”
“The homesteading gameplay is fun in and of itself, and isn't just a chore to move the narrative forward.”
“Being made by a two-person team, Veil of Dust may not have the most refined gameplay of some big studio titles, and yet this does little to detract from the richness of the overall unique experience!”
“Mechanically, the game focuses on following a set plot while managing a farm in order to manage stats - health, morale, hunger, and stamina.”
“The gameplay loop can be a bit repetitive, especially when collecting resources or waiting for Shane to make money, but the pros far outweigh the cons.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their fresh and bold art style, combining simplicity with detailed artwork that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the engaging visuals and the clear, immersive world they create, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
“This game is an interesting take on many popular farm sims with a fresh art style.”
“The graphics are a breath of fresh air with their gritty real focus.”
“Refreshingly bold artwork and easy on the eye settings, I could play this every day.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features exceptional writing that balances emotional depth with humor, tackling serious subjects while maintaining a wholesome tone. Players appreciate the poignant emotional moments and heartwarming character interactions, particularly the touching sibling relationship. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a farming simulator with a compelling story.
“Writing that can make you feel very emotional and then in the next line of dialogue make you laugh is something special.”
“The writing is wholesome but mature and deals with serious subjects at times.”
“Several of the in-game scenes hit poignant emotional notes that I've never felt in other games.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's high replayability, particularly due to the option to experience different perspectives, such as Shane's point of view. The engaging gameplay and story further enhance the desire to replay, with many looking forward to potential updates and DLC that could expand the experience.
“Great replayability, and I'm looking forward to any future updates or DLC!”
“That being said, I'm still interested in playing the game through Shane's point of view, and I like the gameplay and story enough to take advantage of that built-in replay value.”
“If that wasn't enough, the replay value is high, which is a huge plus.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its calming qualities during positive moments, which enhances the sense of foreboding when darker themes emerge. Additionally, players find the music to be enjoyable and fun.
“The music is very calming when things are good, and that makes the darkness that creeps in around the corners that much more foreboding when it hits.”
“The music is very fun.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of light humor interwoven with a poignant narrative about overcoming adversity and family bonds. Players appreciate the well-written, complex characters that contribute to both the emotional depth and comedic elements, enhancing the overall experience.
“A sad, beautiful story set in a mostly accurate historical context, telling the tale of overcoming adversity through shared trauma and family bonds, with gameplay that reinforces the given story, light humor, and a wonderful ambiance overall.”
“The characters are well-written and complex; there's a lot of heart but also a lot of humor.”
