Sometimes in life you just have to stop and take a moment for yourself. We have all had times in our lives where it all just gets too much. This need to pause is the core drive behind Wanderstop, a charming cosy title about taking your time, soaking in your surroundings and, most of all, being able to just think about things.
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Ivy Road is a studio that you may not have heard of just yet, but you will have heard of its members. The team is made up of Davey Wreden (The Stanley Parable), Karla Zimonja (Gone Home), and C418 (Minecraft). To say Ivy Road has pedigree is a monster of an understand.
Determinative Nominitivism
Wanderstop sees you playing as Alta, an undefeated fighter, who spent her entire life training to become the fastest, deadliest and most powerful fighter she could be.
However, this unbeaten run comes to an end with her suffering not one but two defeats. This experience has left a mark on her in more ways than one. In an attempt to get back on top, she sets out to find a legendary fighter called Master Winters to train her. But, shortly into her quest she collapses in a forest.
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This is where the core of the came kicks in. Alta quickly finds she is getting nowhere by continuing to try and push on through the forest. However, she does find a small tea shop called the Wanderstop, which is owned by Boro. He invites Alta to stay and work with him while she ultimately attempts to fix what is wrong with her.
It’s an interesting set up. Alta is always going a million miles a minute to start with, but she quickly works out that’s not how things work in this magical forest. Here, rest is just as important as hard work.
Wandering Gameplay
Gameplay as you may expect is a very easy-going affair, with your main focuses being cleaning the area around the shop, serving customers and most importantly brewing tea. Though it’s worth noticing you can do what you want really. The game doesn’t pressure you into doing anything and very much leaves you to do what you want.
Which is refreshing in the age of way points, telling you to go here or time limits having you to do missions at break neck speed.
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That said the gameplay loop is best described as small receptive tasks, but are oddly extremely satisfying to complete; from growing new herbs and then perfecting a tea from them, to just brushing up a pile of leaves.
Dude, Make the Tea
The most complex action is by far the making of the tea. You’ll have to keep an eye on the water temperature and balancing your mix of ingredients. Though, if you don’t want to tackle this side of things, the game does supply you with a handy guide book of what to do.
One of the highlights is the vast array of customers you’ll get in the shop. Each has a nod and a wink to high fantasy themes; from a cursed knight, to a money-hungry demon slayer, each bringing a bit of light hearted fun as well as their own tale.
Looking Around
Wanderstop wears a unique art style that has an almost Disney/Pixar feel to it. The game is full of colour and whimsy in equal measures. Voice acting is very good, though it’s lightly used. On top of that, the soundtrack adds to the magical undertones being gentile and well used.
Wanderstop is a cozy, charming and whimsical title that dares to hit the brakes and lets you take a breath and do what you want. It also making you question if pushing yourself hard 24/7 really is worth it for all the things you’ll miss.
Refreshing and different in the best sort of waysthough I can totally see how it will not be everyone’s cup of tea.
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