The Caribou Trail, a new indie game from developer Unreliable Narrators and publisher Manavoid, focuses on the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War through the eyes of troops from Newfoundland, then a British dominion. Released on July 7, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC, the game aims to educate players about a lesser-known piece of history but struggles with technical issues and limited interactivity, earning a 4/10 score.
Historical focus on Newfoundland soldiers
The game centres on the experiences of Newfoundland soldiers during the tragic Gallipoli campaign. Given Newfoundland’s tiny population, the number of troops sent had a significant effect on its culture and economy. The men are almost all fishermen, used to setting out in trawlers for Atlantic salmon. Arriving in wartime Turkey, they are baffled by much of what they see, a bemusement that matches the player’s own. They have no real idea of what they are doing there, just that they must obey orders from officers who seem equally uninformed.
Starting with a night-time amphibious beach landing, artillery rounds soar overhead, officers bark orders, and the men talk amongst themselves. The player helps row the boat towards the shore, encountering vignettes of fellow Newfoundland men-at-arms. Their relative poverty means not all uniform elements match, and they lack the training of British Tommies, but their patriotism and pride make them determined not to show disadvantages. Their reputation as soldiers makes them famous for being dedicated and hard-working, if a little wayward.
Gameplay and mechanics
The Caribou Trail’s joys lie in its detailed conversations. Slowly stirring thin gruel, mashing hard tack biscuits with a ladle, the player listens to comrades discussing their views on the war and wider society. These conversations form the heart of the game. Most actions are scripted, though players must navigate camp, trenches, and no-man’s-land using an authentic paper map and compass. This is irritatingly fiddly; the reviewer found it easier to wander randomly to find objectives.
Interactions feel limited, on rails, or unnecessarily clumsy. Wire cutters can only be used on specific sections of barbed wire; elsewhere the prompt does not appear. The simple art style conveys harrowing events, but hokey production values mean running from artillery bombardments or conducting pressure-filled missions fail to evoke intended panic. The game’s good intentions are thwarted by a meagre budget.
Technical issues and save data loss
Nearly three hours into the game, it lost the reviewer’s save data, forcing a restart from the beginning. This is not a problem you should have to deal with in a released game, though there was not much content left before the credits rolled. Having to go back through perfunctory mechanics, unskippable cut scenes, and almost complete lack of player choice grated considerably more the second time.
Using games to draw players into unsung elements of history is a wonderful idea, and The Caribou Trail succeeds in communicating details that would not be obvious reading about Gallipoli in a book. However, its rough edges and underinvestment in playable elements let it down. If you are a First World War buff or have a specific interest in Newfoundland’s involvement, there are interesting titbits, but if you are looking for a traditional video game, prepare to be disappointed.
Verdict
In short, Newfoundland soldiers’ deployment in the Gallipoli campaign is fascinating subject matter, but paltry interactive elements undermine the game’s good intentions. Pros include interesting insight into a lesser-known aspect of the First World War, weaving historical detail into a partially fictionalised narrative, and competently voice acted. Cons: action scenes lack tension or drama, very little traditional gameplay that is dull and repetitious, full of bugs, and predictably short. Score: 4/10.
