REVIEW – Following its PC release, the game from Unreliable Narrators and Manavoid Entertainment is now available on the PlayStation 5. It takes us back to World War I, but not in the same way that Battlefield 1 did. We experience the Gallipoli battles from a different perspective, finding ourselves in the Dardanelles Strait in Turkey. There, the Allies fought the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1916.

Approximately half a million people died in this conflict. Of course, that many won’t die in the game, but the reality of war will still be palpable.

Like a Fish out of water

Yes, Fish is the name of our character. Together with two colleagues, he tries to survive the dire situation in the trenches. There will be tense moments, and the story will delve into the characters’ motivations, emotions, and relationships. TCT isn’t an action-packed game. Rather, it’s introspective, meaning it’s inward-looking and contemplative. It doesn’t do this for very long since you can reach the end in about three and a half hours. Nevertheless, it can be exciting, and there are moments when the psychological terror of war comes to the fore. The Canadian team has authentic accents. The developers based the game on historical facts, paying close attention to detail. This is definitely a plus, as the story set in Suvla Bay doesn’t veer off into science fiction. The Canadians gain control of Caribou Hill, and we’ll be within sight of the Ottoman soldiers on several occasions.

It’s no coincidence that we see a portrait of George V since Newfoundland wasn’t part of Canada yet at that time. In 1915, it was still a British colony and wouldn’t lose that status until 1949. In any case, this is a first-person game, but we won’t be grabbing weapons to take down a dozen Ottoman soldiers. There will be interaction, but it’s more of a walking simulator that places a strong emphasis on the narrative, and it mostly succeeds. As for the dialogue, there are a few choices here and there, as well as a few minigames. However, we won’t enjoy them because they’re repetitive. There’s a compass and a small map. Then, off we go to explore the complex and get used to the maze of trenches. We’ll also complete smaller tasks as we maneuver, and the game is quite well-written. There are also a few secrets, along with related interactions, so yes, this time we can say there’s some replay value, which is another positive. This is important because it distracts us from the minimalist gameplay mechanics. For instance, exploration doesn’t engage us much, though collecting and reading the descriptions of collectibles is rewarding. For history enthusiasts, this provides an excellent backstory, and the simplicity can pay off.

Affordable real-life events from the past

Another positive aspect of TCT is that it isn’t expensive. You can buy it on the PlayStation Network for about 15 euros. The game’s strength lies in its reimagining of events that took place 110–111 years ago. It presents these events in a style reminiscent of What Remains of Edith Finch or Firewatch. While it may not be visually stunning, perhaps we shouldn’t expect that from it. A game doesn’t need lifelike visuals. Tetris is simple yet great. A modern example: Deltarune has a retro look, yet it’s fantastic. We don’t experience war the way we do in many other games, but that’s precisely why this one captures our attention: because it affects our emotions and speaks directly to us. Here, war isn’t just about the roar of firearms; it’s about more than that, which is exactly why its rating might be high.

A Surprisingly Enjoyable Experience

This is a game that doesn’t tax the PlayStation 5. It runs smoothly, and the controls are fine. There’s nothing wrong with it, though the port’s release was delayed. It accurately documents the past, is well-written, and the ending may come as a surprise. The only drawback is that the gameplay is a bit sparse, and the repetition of the minigames becomes very noticeable. The Caribou Trail is an adventure game that’s almost a walking simulator, but it’s more than that. It’s not expensive, and it can be captivating. That said, some people may look down on it when they see the price and miss out on something good. This is a good game that will surely provide an enjoyable afternoon.

If you want to see everything, set aside a weekend for it. We don’t recommend waiting for a sale since the game is already inexpensive. If you liked Firewatch, you’ll like this too. If you’re interested in experiencing war from a more personal perspective, this is a good choice.

-V-

Developer: Unreliable Narrators, Manavoid Entertainment
Publisher: Manavoid Entertainment
Genre: First-Person Adventure
Release Date: May 14, 2026 (PC); July 7, 2026 (PlayStation 5)