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Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game

97%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, graphics
97% User Score Based on 140 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsLinuxLinux
Buy Nowfrom $14.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

About

Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game is a historically-inspired fantasy survival game that combines farming, foraging, and hunting for survival in a harsh desert environment. The game features adult-oriented, task-centric gameplay and longer, substantial storylines with deeper characterizations and relatable themes, as players join the Callahan Siblings in coping with loss and facing magical beasts while exploring small-town politics. The game promises a unique blend of magic, intrigue, and small-town life.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game screenshot
+12

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 140 reviews
story50 positive mentions
grinding74 negative mentions
  • The writing is fantastic, blending cheeky romance with deep themes of grief and family, making the story engaging and emotional.
  • The gameplay loop is enjoyable, combining farming, crafting, and survival mechanics with a strong narrative that keeps players invested.
  • High replay value is offered through different character perspectives and romance options, allowing players to experience the story in unique ways.
  • The romance system can lock players out of developing relationships with other characters, limiting post-story engagement and making the world feel stagnant.
  • Gameplay can be clunky at times, with issues like movement controls and inventory management that detract from the overall experience.
  • Some players find the game repetitive, particularly in resource gathering and daily tasks, which can lead to a sense of tedium over time.
  • story
    182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is highly praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly the sibling relationship that explores themes of family, trauma, and personal growth. Players appreciate the dual perspectives offered by playing as either sibling, which enhances the narrative experience, although some express disappointment with the lack of post-story content and character interactions. Overall, the writing is considered strong, with engaging dialogue and a compelling plot that keeps players invested, despite some repetitive elements in character interactions.

    • “The main storyline between the siblings is incredible.”
    • “The story flows out naturally in a way that well captures the maxim of 'show, don't tell' as more of the siblings' backstories become apparent as you play.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is described as somewhat repetitive but ultimately rewarding, serving to keep players engaged without overshadowing the narrative. While players noted that the farming mechanics can become tedious, they appreciated the blend of farming, story, and character development, making the grind feel purposeful rather than intrusive. Overall, the game successfully combines elements of farming simulation with a compelling story, appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is engaging and effectively supports the narrative, blending elements of visual novels and farming simulations. While it can be grindy at times, the mechanics are intuitive and enjoyable, with a strong emphasis on crafting, customization, and character interactions. Overall, players appreciate the depth and richness of the experience, despite some repetitiveness in resource collection.

    • “The gameplay itself serves its purpose as keeping you more 'actively' engaged, and while it may be grindy at times, it never felt intrusive or like it was hindering the real star of the show (the story) from coming through.”
    • “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!”
    • “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.”
    • “Mechanically, the game focuses on following a set plot while managing a farm in order to manage stats - health, morale, hunger, and stamina.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game excels in its emotional depth, particularly through the portrayal of a pure and wholesome sibling relationship that resonates with players, reminding them of life's worth amidst challenges. The writing balances humor and maturity, tackling serious themes while delivering poignant moments that evoke strong feelings. Overall, it is highly recommended for those seeking a farming simulator enriched with a heartfelt narrative and relatable characters.

    • “The way the relationship between the two siblings is captured is so pure and wholesome, and there are many moments that serve as wonderful reminders for your own self that while life can be extremely grueling and challenging, there are always things worth living and fighting for.”
    • “Writing that can make you feel very emotional and then in the next line of dialogue make you laugh is something special.”
    • “Several of the in-game scenes hit poignant emotional notes that I've never felt in other games.”
  • graphics
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game 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 gritty realism, which contribute to the depth of the world and characters. Overall, the graphics are described as enjoyable and easy on the eyes, making the game visually appealing.

    • “Refreshingly bold artwork and easy on the eye settings; I could play this every day.”
    • “The art style is lovely and the gameplay is engaging but not too complicated.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple romance storylines and the option to play as either the sister or brother, each providing unique experiences. Players express enthusiasm for exploring different perspectives, indicating a strong desire to revisit the game, especially with potential future updates or DLC. Overall, the replay value is considered a major strength.

    • “It also has some great replay value by having different romance storylines to pursue, in addition to the ability to play as the sister or the brother, both with different experiences of the story.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is praised for its calming qualities during positive moments, enhancing the impact of the darker themes that emerge. Additionally, it is noted to be enjoyable and fun, contributing to the overall atmosphere.

    • “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 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.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features light humor that complements its sad and beautiful narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. Characters are well-written and complex, balancing moments of heart with comedic elements, contributing to an overall engaging and atmospheric experience.

    • “The characters are well-written and complex; there's a lot of heart but also a lot of humor.”
    • “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.”

Buy Veil of Dust: A Homesteading Game

8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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