Equinox: Homecoming Review

It's always encouraging to see a studio with seasoned roots do something completely different in the independent game development space. With their inaugural game, Equinox: Homecoming, Blue Scarab Entertainment, a newcomer to the gaming business with its headquarters located in Stockholm, Sweden, has gained attention. 

Despite appearing to be a new studio, this team is made up of industry veterans who have contributed to games like Helldivers 2, Battlefield, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, IMVU, and Star Stable Online. Even though Equinox: Homecoming is currently in its Early Access phase on Steam as of May 8th, 2025, that communal experience is evident throughout the game in numerous ways.

Blue Scarab Entertainment's game design goal was to create a distinctive combination. Equinox: Homecoming, a story-driven massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on Unreal Engine 5, skillfully blends true-crime narrative with cozy escape. 

Fans of equestrian games who want a bit more narrative depth and darker, mature themes are the makers' target audience, they said. No more aimless horseback riding, it's time to saddle up for something with genuine emotional weight. And truthfully? They have the atmosphere down pat.

You take on the role of Alex Evans, a returning Alderwood Island native, in Equinox: Homecoming. Your trip starts with an unusual homecoming, regardless of whether you decide to play as a male or female character. Players are immediately drawn into a story full of suspense, anguish, and hidden secrets by the setting of a missing mother and an enigmatic body discovered in the woods. 

It's immediately apparent that this is not just another lovely horse game; rather, it's a highly narrative experience that prioritizes storytelling. The plot's best feature is how it handles its characters. Alex is so much more than your usual "no-identity" main character. They have a complicated past, painful experiences, and relationships that, too, are intricate. 

You will unearth Alderwood Island's secrets and get to the bottom of a much darker truth while exploring the beautiful landscapes of Equinox: Homecoming, which, of course, with the friends you make along the way, including the old ones. 

This authentically human story is based on emotional turmoil, generational pain, and the collective silence of a community. It is uncommon for equestrian games to attempt to tackle these kinds of subjects, and Blue Scarab deserves praise for doing so in a kind and genuine manner.

It's also admirable how respectful this game is of its viewers. Equinox: Homecoming doesn't hold your hand through the game. It anticipates that you will follow along and make the connections. The narrative has an unexpected degree of maturity, the emotions are unfiltered, and the tone is solemn. 

There must be content warnings because of themes of blood, violence, self-harm, foul language, and alcohol consumption. It's a significant step towards a narrative about gaming that is inclusive and responsible.

Equinox: Homecoming's gameplay balances its open-world features and story aspects decently. As you ride from point A to point B, the game's goal is to immerse you in a fully realized environment that transforms, breathes, and responds to your presence. 

The mission system is effective because it combines Weekly Goals, Side Quests, and Main Quests to encourage regular participation. There is always something to do, whether it is helping a local NPC or working on a case involving murder.

One of the most charming features is the navigation system. Players are guided by a beautiful, purplish-pink trail that activates when the "Q" key is hit, as opposed to intrusive waypoints or garish icons, which adds a really nice, fun tinge to it. 

This elegant solution maintains immersion. The setting feels more genuine and lived in when directional poles are used instead of garish signage. Even though it's a minor component, it shows how thoughtfully the game was made.

Along with a lot of plus points, of course, there are points that take away from it, too. The absence of a stamina bar for your horse is an obvious drawback. This lack is a little surprising, shocking even, for a game that is so heavily centered around horse riding and equestrian care. 

During long-distance rides, it might be frustrating to have to predict how long your horse can maintain a gallop without a stamina meter. The gameplay flow would be greatly enhanced by this straightforward quality-of-life addition.

It's worth discussing the strange action the horse makes when galloping. The horse's neck moves in an odd, somewhat unnerving wave-like pattern. In a game that emphasizes immersion and realism, this minor visual mistake could undermine the game's trust. The game is still in Early Access, though, so there's a strong chance that this will be fixed later.

The horse mechanics in Equinox: Homecoming are fantastic in spite of these problems. A genuine and grounded sense of movement is added by the way your horse slows down when turning bends. The game excels in the field of horse care as well. Neglecting your horse has no severe consequences, but it does result in quicker development and closer relationships. 

It's a mild prod to encourage gameplay without penalizing casual users. There are several ways to advance in the game. Silver Sols can be obtained by a number of activities, such as completing quests and competing in weekly races. A high-value achievement, Gold Alders, gives you access to special content. It is achieved by completing Weekly Goals. 

For committed gamers, this tiered achievement gives you long-term goals and maintains an intriguing gameplay loop. Your character's reputation rank keeps track of your relationship with various NPCs, making your actions meaningful and adding depth to your character.

The game's social mechanics are equally well-executed. The characters in Equinox: Homecoming are thoughtfully crafted, in contrast to many MMOs where NPCs feel like static task dispensers. You are supposed to provide something in exchange for assistance. 

These encounters feel significant, whether they involve delivering products, running errands, or helping with neighborhood chores. Your relationships with other characters change depending on how you interact with them, and there is a true sense of community.

Equinox: Homecoming has breathtaking visuals. The game world is absolutely stunning, with everything from sun-drenched meadows and star-lit trails to hazy forests and jagged cliffs. The game's lighting, texturing, and environmental detail all make use of Unreal Engine 5. 

With its varying weather changes, atmospheric mood swings, and stories woven into each branch of trees and path, it gives you the feel of a place called home. However, Early Access is expected to have some problems. Sometimes, you'll encounter areas that don't feel complete, and other times, the terrain won't load. 

Regardless, these challenges are greatly outweighed by the beauty and vibe of the map. Alderwood Island is more vibrant and atmospheric even in its current condition than many open-world games that have been fully launched.

The sound design of Equinox: Homecoming is soothing and beautiful. Birds chirping, leaves rustling, and waning hoof pounding create a calm atmosphere that is also enthralling. 

The design transitions to quiet, haunting echoes and straightforward melodies as needed to enhance the story's emotional state and build up tension. With different terrains, including the sound of your horse's hoofs, everything seems very satisfying and grounded.

The pace of the game is also really well done. It teaches mechanics gradually rather than bombarding players with too many objectives or systems all at once. You have the freedom to investigate, develop bonds, and lose yourself in the narrative at your speed. 

Because of this design concept, gamers who may not be accustomed to conventional MMORPG systems will find Equinox: Homecoming particularly welcome. One of the more notable aspects of Equinox: Homecoming is the inherent respect for a genre paired with the ability to explore and push its boundaries. 

It does not require abandoning the main points of appeal of equestrian games (i.e., care for horses, exploration of open-world landscapes, and racing) but rather enhances and builds upon the more traditional aspects of the genre with a good narrative.

 In effect, this begins to create a distinct genre of its own, in which players can simultaneously engage with emotional storytelling and cozy fantasy. Furthermore, we are talking about more than just the plot drama. 

The plot of a game suggests complex relationships and arouses strong feelings. An interesting character who experiences loss and struggles with emotionally draining, unresolved problems is Alex Evans. They have a complex relationship with Sarah, who plays a significant role in the story. 

In addition to the interactions of collective trauma, there is a mixture of repressed feelings and intricate relationships. Multifaceted relationships inside a game culminate in an evocation of emotions that bind players to people rather than just the mystery.

Carefully considered, mature subjects are incorporated. Equinox: Homecoming handles heavy subjects with compassion and subtlety rather than sensationalizing them. In a way that feels genuine and considerate, grief, self-harm, and addiction are woven into the lives of the characters rather than existing as incidental components. Players who are older and have outgrown the cheesy simplicity of previous horse games will particularly enjoy this type of storytelling.

As of right now, it appears that the developers are taking community comments seriously and making an effort to incorporate them. Everything seems to be going well for Equinox: Homecoming. 

The developers' comprehensive 12-month roadmap demonstrates their commitment to the product. Thanks to its frequent upgrades, enhanced gameplay, and better narrative strategy, the game may eventually become a standard in the field.

Equinox: Homecoming is playable in its current state. It differs from both simple horse simulations and extremely intricate MMORPGs in that it provides a unique fusion of romance, intrigue, and ambiance. It demonstrates that serious, emotionally impactful, and artistically ambitious horse sports are possible.

However, given the game's technical issues, you might find the journey you've been yearning to go on for this genre. Hopefully, the developers will fix all the technical issues, and the final release will deliver a more comprehensive experience. Given its price tag, I'd recommend waiting for a sale or the final release.