Game: Trails
Genre: Puzzle, Strategy
System: Steam (Windows) (macOS, Linux)
Developer | Publisher: Purple Sloth Studio
Controller Support: Full
Price: US $7.99 | UK £7.99 | EU € 9,99
Release Date: 29th May 2025
A review code was provided, thanks to Purple Sloth Studio.
Trails is a gentle puzzle game where you must guide sandships through a crumbling, desert wasteland. You play as the provider of precious resources to scattered communities. They’re all counting on the ingenuity of your mind.
Getting Started with Trails
There is no real introduction to Trails. True to the saying, the game throws you right in!
Don’t expect any hand-holding — it’s a “learn as you go” kind of game. That means there’s no punishment, no matter how many times you get it wrong before you get the hang of it.
It can be a little frustrating at times, but… that’s kind of what you sign up for when playing puzzle games. The challenge, you know? Achievable, yes, but still a challenge. Actually, the frustration just makes the victory that much sweeter when you finally solve the puzzle.
Some routes feel more like “bonus” paths. They’re not really part of the main itinerary you follow on the map. These bonus levels usually come with specific challenges (like steering three boats at once), which are great for practice. After a while, you also start “winning” some elements, but I’m not sure if they will come in handy later on. As far as I’m concerned, though, that’s the only real “interest” of these bonuses.
Less Compelling Part, Depending on Your Style of Gaming
Let me preface this by saying: I usually look for a clear narrative thread when I play a game (or watch anything, really). So take the following with a grain of salt.
There are a variety of symbols scattered around the map, and by “symbols”, I mean ones that resemble a foreign or possibly ancient language. Maybe they’re place names? As far as I’ve seen, they don’t really serve a purpose (beyond adding consistency to the world), nor is there any explanation for what they are or why they’re there. It tends to leave my brain chasing its own tail. It’s definitely not a dealbreaker — just something to keep in mind.
The Atmosphere of Trails – Sound and Visuals
There’s a soft soundtrack that follows you throughout the Trails universe. It’s a mix of instruments (I’m guessing harp and guitar, maybe others). The music selection is fairly limited, but what’s there holds up nicely.
In terms of instruments and rhythm, and therefore atmosphere, the variety is just enough to prevent it from becoming tiring.
Visually, it leans towards minimalism. The real focus of Trails lies in the mental gymnastics you perform, more than what’s displayed on the screen.
The Little Tweaks Available
In the settings, you can adjust the volume of the music and sound effects, depending on what helps you focus best. It’s also possible to zoom in on the game’s settings interface, but not on the actual puzzle board, which felt like a bit of a missed opportunity. I think that could be helpful for some players.
There’s also a visual mode that darkens the game’s color palette. Even if you don’t have any visual impairment, it’s still easier on the eyes. There’s another option with a more “sketch/drawing” look, but I personally didn’t feel any particular impact from using it.
Now, for impatient little beans like me, there’s a feature you’ll love! You can unlock all the checkpoint maps at once and peek at them, choosing which one you want to try. This is great because, while the difficulty ramps up gradually and gives you a real sense of progression, sometimes your brain just refuses to crack a specific puzzle. You can move on to the next one and come back to it later. I love that the game doesn’t punish you for getting stuck — it’s a very welcome feature.
Conclusion
As a story-driven gamer, Trails got me perplexed. The mechanics and the atmosphere are definitely there.
And yet… it feels like there’s a hidden story peeking through the cracks of the game — one I just can’t quite make out. So playing this game feels relaxing, but also leaves behind a slight bittersweet taste, as if I’m missing out on something I can’t grasp.
Trails isn’t a game you play all in one sitting. It deserves to be appreciated in small bites. If you’re the kind of gamer who finds relaxation in deep focus and logic puzzles, all wrapped up in a chill, non-overstimulating aesthetic, then this one’s for you.
Final verdict: I like it
Do you like our content?
Support LadiesGamers as a member on Patreon!
Or buy us a cup of coffee or tea on Ko-Fi!
