I really enjoyed this game. It has a good mix of management and survival, where you have to manage resources and make decisions that impact how tough your journey gets. You start off with just yourself and your daughter, but as you meet more refugees, the game forces you to make harder choices, which keeps things interesting. The graphics are nice and work well. It’s not flashy, but the focus is more on the gameplay. I also liked how every decision actually matters, so you feel the consequences of what you do. If you’re into games where you have to think ahead and deal with pressure, this is definitely worth playing. It’s challenging, but in a way that keeps you coming back.
Back to Dust - Hold it Together
- Release Date:
- Sep 20, 2024
- Developer:
- KomBits Game Studio
- Publisher:
- KomBits Game Studio
- Platforms:
- Windows
Game Tags
About This Game
Back to Dust is a survival game focused on decision making and inspired by the true stories of refugees.
You and your daughter are in a conflict zone and running low on food, you must travel to the border and try to enter the neighboring country. The path to the border is full of other refugees asking for your help. The more refugees you accept in your party, the tougher will be your journey.
Will your humanity prevail? Or will your self-preservation instinct overcome?
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Decision Making is Key: Back to Dust is all about decision making. There is no complicated or innovative mechanics. Player must analyze the group situation and select options that best suits their needs.
Decisions Drive the Story: More than earning resources or status changing, player’s decisions will change the course of the story, making events happen, revealing new paths or changing the game's ending.
Trade Mechanics: Sometimes your extra resources can be useful to someone and vice versa.
Changing Economy: Items can be traded one-by-one with other refugees or freely negotiated with travelling merchants.
Bargaining System: Characters can even bargain (or beg) if they have the knack for it.
Unique Character Habilities: Many characters have unique habilities that can be used to take advantage in many kind of situations.
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Immersive Storytelling: Truly feel what it is like to walk in the shoes of a family in the midst of a refugee crisis.
Multiple Endings: 8 unique endings based on players choices during their journey.
Real World Inspirations: Imagery and story points are inspired by real refugee stories.
Empathy: Sometimes the good choice is not the right choice to make. What will be the limit of your kindness?
Average playtime: 2h (shortest path), 5h (longest path)
Screenshots
User Reviews
While the gameplay and art style are quite different, this game gives me heavy This War of Mine vibes, which is good if you like This War of Mine. However, if you are like me and care too much about the characters, then you will be as upset as I was playing TWM. All in all, Back to Dust is likely to be the best game from the small indie studio Kombits. The atmosphere is great, the music is solid, the art is unique and well-colored, and your choices really impact the game. You will have to play it more than once to get to know all the characters, their stories, and the available endings.
An emotional and intense experience that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Set in a conflict zone, you play as a father trying to escape with his daughter, all while managing limited resources and tough moral decisions. The deeper you go, the harder it gets as you face the dilemma of helping other refugees. The tension of survival, combined with beautifully crafted storytelling, makes every moment count. I loved the way the game forced me to think strategically while being emotionally invested in the fate of the characters. The simple but effective mechanics, along with the immersive 2D art, really bring this journey to life. It’s not just about getting to the border—it's about the choices you make along the way. Highly recommended for fans of survival and story-driven games. A hidden gem that’s worth every penny.
Great game that raises deep discussions about our life in society. I recommend.
Jogo bem interessante de sobrevivência no estilo This War of Mine, mas com uma pegada mais realista (infelizmente) e contemporânea. Cada escolha muda muito a dinâmica do jogo e precisa ser tomada com cautela.
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS *: Windows 7, 10 or 11
- Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: IGP
- Storage: 300 MB available space
- Sound Card: Any
FAQ
How much does Back to Dust - Hold it Together cost?
Back to Dust - Hold it Together costs $4.54. Currently 35% off!
What are the system requirements for Back to Dust - Hold it Together?
Minimum: Minimum: OS *: Windows 7, 10 or 11 Processor: Intel Core i3 or equivalent Memory: 4 GB RAM Graphics: IGP Storage: 300 MB available space Sound Card: Any
What platforms is Back to Dust - Hold it Together available on?
Back to Dust - Hold it Together is available on Windows PC.
Is Back to Dust - Hold it Together worth buying?
Back to Dust - Hold it Together has 100% positive reviews from 16 players.
When was Back to Dust - Hold it Together released?
Back to Dust - Hold it Together was released on Sep 20, 2024.
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