Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
The Caribou Trail System Requirements: PC Specs, PS5 Performance & Steam Deck Guide
The Caribou Trail is a first-person narrative adventure from Unreliable Narrators and ManaVoid Entertainment, published by Indie Asylum, set during the Gallipoli campaign of World War I. You play as Fisher, a Newfoundlander who joins the British war effort with his friends, expecting a short adventure but finding dirt, loss, and a touch of madness instead. Performance-wise, this is a moderately demanding Unreal Engine title with a surprisingly high VRAM floor. The official minimum asks for an RTX 2060 with 8 GB of VRAM and 16 GB of RAM, which is higher than most narrative walking simulators require, and the recommended tier steps up to an RTX 3070. It launched on 14 May 2026 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, with the PS5 version arriving on 7 July 2026. There is no Xbox Series X|S or Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 version at this time.
System Requirements
Minimum (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8600K @ 3.60GHz or AMD Ryzen 7 2700 (6 cores or more) |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56, with 8 GB VRAM or more |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Storage | 15 GB available space |
| Sound Card | DirectX 10 compatible |
| Additional Notes | Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. SSD recommended for a better experience. Full controller support. Steam Deck Verified. |
Source: Steam store page for The Caribou Trail, VGtimes, MMO13, and GoodOnPC. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The minimum tier targets 1080p at 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings, though Unreliable Narrators does not specify a frame rate target on the Steam page. The Core i5-8600K is a 2017 processor and the RTX 2060 is a 2019 mid-range card. The 8 GB VRAM floor is the detail that matters most: a 4 GB or 6 GB card will not meet this specification, which is unusually high for a narrative walking simulator. GoodOnPC’s analysis classified the game as “Demanding” and noted that “the listed GPU is not entry-level, so graphics horsepower matters more than the table first suggests.” The 16 GB system RAM requirement is non-negotiable and appears at both tiers, which is higher than most narrative games list. This reflects the game’s Unreal Engine rendering pipeline and the detailed trench environments of the Gallipoli peninsula. The 15 GB install size is moderate, and an SSD is recommended but not mandatory.
Recommended (Windows)
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9600K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (6 cores or more) |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT, with 8 GB VRAM or more |
| VRAM | 8 GB |
| DirectX | Version 11 |
| Storage | 15 GB available space |
| Sound Card | DirectX 10 compatible |
| Additional Notes | SSD recommended for a better experience. |
Source: Steam store page for The Caribou Trail (Finnish listing), VGtimes, and GoodOnPC. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The recommended tier targets 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps on high settings. The i5-9600K is a 2018 processor and the RTX 3070 is a 2020 upper-mid-range card. The jump from an RTX 2060 to an RTX 3070 is substantial for a narrative adventure, and it reflects the game’s use of Unreal Engine’s more advanced rendering features at higher settings. The 16 GB RAM requirement is identical to the minimum, which confirms the game’s memory footprint does not scale with graphical settings. The 8 GB VRAM requirement is also identical at both tiers, meaning the VRAM floor is fixed at 8 GB regardless of settings. If you have a gaming PC from the last four to five years with an RTX 3070 or better and 16 GB of RAM, you will meet this tier comfortably.
A Note on VRAM and System RAM
The 8 GB VRAM floor is the hard GPU threshold at both tiers: a 6 GB card will not meet this specification. This is unusually high for a narrative walking simulator, and it reflects the game’s Unreal Engine rendering pipeline with detailed trench environments, particle effects for smoke and debris, and the game’s distinctive pseudo cel-shaded art style. The 16 GB system RAM requirement is non-negotiable at both tiers. GoodOnPC’s analysis specifically flagged that “memory matters: 16 GB is the realistic comfort target” and that “GPU and memory are the most likely pressure points.” If you are running 8 GB of system RAM, you cannot run this game regardless of your GPU. Do not underestimate the VRAM and RAM requirements: this is not a game that runs comfortably on older budget hardware.
PS5
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest PS5 system software |
| Storage | Not specified on the PlayStation Store listing; PC version requires 15 GB |
| Performance | Specific resolution and frame rate targets not published by Unreliable Narrators. The PS5 version launched on 7 July 2026, delayed from the original simultaneous release date. |
| Additional Notes | Single player. Offline play enabled. DualSense vibration supported. PS5 and PS Portal cloud streaming supported with Premium subscription. |
Source: Gematsu’s PS5 delay report, IGN’s launch coverage, and the PlayStation Store listing. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The PS5 version launched on 7 July 2026, delayed from the originally planned simultaneous release with the PC version. Gematsu’s coverage confirmed the delay, and IGN confirmed the new date. Unreliable Narrators has not published specific resolution or frame rate targets for the PS5. The DualSense controller’s vibration feature is supported, and offline play is enabled. The game holds a 57 Metascore on PS5 from 8 critic reviews, with 29 percent positive, 57 percent mixed, and 14 percent negative ratings. If you own a PS5, the game is playable, but you should check post-launch impressions for technical performance.
PS5 Pro
The Caribou Trail does not have a dedicated PS5 Pro version or specific PS5 Pro enhancements. The game runs on PS5 Pro via backward compatibility with the standard PS5 version, which means it plays at the same target without any additional enhancements. If you own a PS5 Pro, you are getting the same experience as a base PS5 owner.
Xbox Series X|S: Not Available
The Caribou Trail has no Xbox Series X|S version. GamingBible confirms plainly that “an Xbox Series X/S or Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 port haven’t been made available yet.” GamesAsylum’s review confirms the game is “out now on PS5 and PC.” If you play primarily on Xbox, you cannot access The Caribou Trail.
Nintendo Switch and Switch 2: Not Available
The Caribou Trail has no Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version. GamingBible confirms “an Xbox Series X/S or Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 port haven’t been made available yet.” Steambase’s platform data lists the supported platforms as Windows, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck (Verified), with no Nintendo version. If you play primarily on Nintendo hardware, you cannot access The Caribou Trail.
Steam Deck
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | Verified (Valve’s highest rating). Confirmed by Steambase, tuxDB, and DLCompare. |
| Performance | Runs natively on SteamOS. tuxDB confirms that “all functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration,” “the game shows Steam Deck controller icons,” “the game’s default configuration performs well on Steam Deck,” and “in-game text is legible on Steam Deck.” |
| Additional Notes | External controllers are not supported for the primary player on Steam Deck. The 15 GB install size is manageable. Single-player only, so no multiplayer networking overhead. |
Source: Steambase, tuxDB’s Steam Deck listing, DLCompare, and Geeks and Com’s Steam Deck review. Last verified: 28 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The Caribou Trail carries a Steam Deck Verified badge, Valve’s highest compatibility rating. tuxDB confirms that all functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration, the game shows Steam Deck controller icons, the game’s default configuration performs well on Steam Deck, and in-game text is legible on Steam Deck. Geeks and Com’s review tested the game on Steam Deck and noted that “certains joueurs pourraient trouver l’ensemble un peu limité sur le plan graphique” (some players might find the whole thing a bit limited graphically), though the game runs well on the handheld. The one caveat is that external controllers are not supported for the primary player on Steam Deck, so you must use the Deck’s built-in controls. The 15 GB install size means it takes up a moderate amount of storage space. If you own a Steam Deck and enjoy narrative adventures, this is a functional portable experience with no meaningful performance caveats.
macOS and Linux
Steambase’s platform data lists Windows, Mac, Linux, and Steam Deck (Verified) as supported systems for The Caribou Trail. The game is built on the Unreal Engine and uses EpicOnlineServices SDK. However, the official Steam store page lists Windows 10 only in its system requirements block, and Unreliable Narrators has not published separate macOS or Linux specifications. GoodOnPC’s analysis notes that “there is no native Linux support listed, so Steam Deck viability depends on Proton and community testing rather than the official spec sheet.” I am treating macOS and Linux as listed by third-party trackers but not fully specified by the developer. Steam Deck users play through SteamOS, and the Verified badge confirms that this works seamlessly.
Price and Content
The Caribou Trail is priced at $12.99 / £10.99** on Steam and the Epic Games Store, with frequent discounts bringing the price as low as **$11.69. The game is a single-player experience with full controller support, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, and Family Sharing. It supports English and French with full interface, audio, and subtitle localisation. The game takes roughly 3 to 5 hours to complete, making it a short, focused narrative experience. A free demo is available on Steam, but not on the PlayStation Store.
Reception and Review Scores
The Caribou Trail holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with 91 percent positive reviews from nearly 600 user reviews, according to GamingBible. The game holds a 57 Metascore on PS5 from 8 critic reviews, with 44 percent positive and 56 percent mixed ratings overall. Console Creatures awarded it 100/100, stating that “The Caribou Trail is a game that should be taught in schools.” Digital Chumps scored it 80/100, calling it “an emotional and revealing experience about the horrors of World War I.” Hobby Consolas gave it 76/100, praising the “skilfully crafted narrative” while noting that “its overly simplistic gameplay weighs it down somewhat.” Yahoo Tech’s PS5 review was more critical, stating that “walking is glacially slow, to the point it’s zombie-like” and that the game “trades the strengths of its key selling point for dull and repetitive mechanics.” The most consistent praise is for the story, characters, and voice acting, while the most common criticism is the slow pacing and repetitive gameplay mechanics.
Final Verdict: Can Your PC Run The Caribou Trail?
The Caribou Trail has a higher hardware floor than most narrative walking simulators. The minimum spec asks for a Core i5-8600K, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 2060 with 8 GB of VRAM, which is hardware from 2017-2019. The 8 GB VRAM floor is the hard GPU threshold: a 4 GB or 6 GB card will not meet the specification. The 16 GB RAM requirement is non-negotiable at both tiers. The 15 GB install size is moderate, and an SSD is recommended. If you have a gaming PC from the last five to six years with an 8 GB GPU and 16 GB of RAM, you can run the game at 1080p and 30 to 60 fps on low-to-medium settings.
The recommended tier asks for an i5-9600K, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 3070 with 8 GB of VRAM for 1080p or 1440p at 60 fps on high settings. The VRAM and RAM requirements are identical to the minimum, which means the game’s memory footprint is fixed regardless of settings. GoodOnPC’s analysis classified the game as “Demanding” and noted that “players with a recent mid-range GPU, at least 16 GB RAM, and enough storage headroom are the safest fit.”
On console, the game is available on PS5 only, with the version launching on 7 July 2026. There is no Xbox Series X|S or Nintendo Switch version. On Steam Deck, the game is Verified and runs natively on SteamOS with full controller support and legible text, though external controllers are not supported for the primary player. There is native macOS and Linux support listed by third-party trackers, but not fully specified on the official Steam page. The game holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam with 91 percent positive reviews, and it is best suited for players who value narrative and historical authenticity over complex gameplay mechanics.
Specs and performance may be revised by Unreliable Narrators in future patches. This article reflects the Steam store page, the Steam store page Finnish listing, VGtimes, MMO13, GoodOnPC, Steambase, tuxDB, DLCompare, Gematsu’s PS5 delay report, IGN’s launch coverage, GamingBible, Yahoo Tech’s PS5 review, Metacritic’s critic reviews, Hobby Consolas, Console Creatures, Digital Chumps, Gamers’ Temple, and verified outlet reports as of 28 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.