Skip to main content

The Wandering Village

In the end, The Wandering Village succeeds more often than not. It blends charming visuals with a creative concept and heartfelt mechanics, even if some of its systems feel half-baked. With a few improvements to building flexibility, pacing, and clearer UI, it could grow into something even more special. As it stands, this is a lovely game that rewards patience and empathy, and is best enjoyed with a relaxed mindset and a soft spot for massive creatures with big sleepy eyes.
The Wandering Village Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 3,849 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCCloudMac OSXbox One
The Wandering Village Game Cover

About

The Wandering Village is a single player survival strategy game with fantasy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Stray Fawn Studio and was released on July 17, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"The Wandering Village" is a post-apocalyptic city-builder where you lead a group of survivors on the back of a giant, wandering creature named Onbu. Build your settlement, form a symbiotic relationship with Onbu, and manage production chains to ensure your village's survival in a world overtaken by mysterious, toxic plants. Balance your community's needs and Onbu's wellbeing to create a thriving coexistence.

Skip User Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,849 reviews
gameplay269 positive mentions
grinding82 negative mentions

  • The game features a unique concept of building a village on the back of a giant creature, Onbu, which adds an engaging twist to the city-building genre.
  • The art style is charming and reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, creating a visually appealing and immersive experience.
  • The gameplay is relaxing yet challenging, with a good balance of resource management and exploration as players adapt to different biomes.
  • The game can become repetitive and lacks depth in late-game content, leading to a feeling of staleness after a few playthroughs.
  • Villager AI can be frustrating, as they sometimes ignore tasks or take inefficient paths, which can hinder progress.
  • The user interface and management systems could use improvements, such as better prioritization options for tasks and clearer resource management.
  • gameplay
    630 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Wandering Village" is characterized by its unique blend of city-building and survival mechanics, set against a charming backdrop of vibrant visuals and a whimsical narrative. Players engage in resource management while caring for both their village and the giant creature, Onbu, which adds a layer of strategy and emotional depth to the experience. While the game offers a satisfying core loop and innovative mechanics, some players note that it can feel repetitive over time and may benefit from additional complexity and content as it continues to develop.

    • “The gameplay is really fun and the art is very good, and it's compatible with Steam Deck.”
    • “The wandering village offers a unique blend of city-building, survival, and exploration mechanics wrapped in a striking fantasy setting that sets it apart from traditional management games.”
    • “The gameplay loop revolves around expanding your village in harmony with onbu’s movements, creating a dynamic interplay between exploration and survival.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious, and NPCs are frustrating, which overall makes the game boring.”
    • “The gameplay loop is relatively simple and will eventually get samey, but that's to be expected.”
    • “The wandering village has a grasp of the building blocks of its genre, but never truly capitalizes on its core mechanics or its premise.”
  • graphics
    613 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "The Wandering Village" have received widespread acclaim for their charming and unique art style, heavily inspired by Studio Ghibli, particularly reminiscent of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind." Players appreciate the blend of 2D sprites with 3D environments, creating a visually appealing and immersive experience that enhances the game's cozy atmosphere. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful, engaging, and well-suited to the game's themes, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “The art style is phenomenal and I really love the soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics are charming, a mix of 3D and 2D, and I think it works very well.”
    • “The art style blends hand-drawn 2D characters with 3D environments beautifully, accompanied by an immersive soundtrack that shifts with the biomes you explore.”
    • “The graphics are cute, but the story mode is a drag and lacks micromanagement options.”
    • “I have to confess that the graphic of 2D and 3D together did make me avoid it for so long.”
    • “Wish better graphics, so simple 2D is making me sad in 2024.”
  • story
    517 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "The Wandering Village" is generally well-received, praised for its charming visuals and emotional depth, often drawing comparisons to Studio Ghibli's works. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and the way it intertwines with gameplay mechanics, some criticize it for being simplistic or predictable, with a desire for more depth and side quests. Overall, the story adds a meaningful layer to the city-building experience, though some players feel it could benefit from further development and complexity.

    • “The world setting and the message are well placed between humankind and nature, and it has an interesting story with surprises.”
    • “An amazing cozy game, excellent story, and a fun way to build a civilization that rides the back of a literal creature.”
    • “The story is captivating and draws you into the experience, making the survival struggles feel meaningful rather than repetitive.”
    • “The story is very shallow and consists of few steps which are done through random quest lines which never vary.”
    • “The story drags slower than onbu's naps, tech tree tempts parasitic evil like blood-sucking your bff—patch this furry fiasco before onbu eats the devs!”
    • “The story does not feel like it was written by an actual writer and feels more like child cartoon filler that doesn't match the Valley of the Wind it is clearly based on.”
  • music
    278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the charming art style and gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack beautiful and fitting for the various biomes, some note a lack of variety, leading to moments of repetitiveness. Overall, the music enhances the cozy atmosphere of the game, making it a delightful experience for players.

    • “The music, led by evocative human vocals, creates a calm but emotional atmosphere that lingers.”
    • “The art style blends hand-drawn 2D characters with 3D environments beautifully, accompanied by an immersive soundtrack that shifts with the biomes you explore.”
    • “The music is exceptional in my opinion, and represents the game well.”
    • “However, the music under normal conditions (especially the first 'temperate' biome) sounds monotonous and steady, easily causing drowsiness.”
    • “I do wish the music was a bit more varied though because after a while the 'atmospherics' just become grating.”
    • “The music adds a lot to the ambiance, but it can get a bit repetitive.”
  • grinding
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious and repetitive, particularly in resource management and farming mechanics. While some players appreciate the strategic depth and challenge, many find the lack of automation and the need for constant micromanagement to be frustrating, leading to a less enjoyable experience as the game progresses. Overall, the game offers a charming aesthetic and engaging concepts, but the grinding can detract from the fun for some players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious, and NPCs are frustrating, which overall makes the game boring.”
    • “The concept of this game is rather fun, and the first few hours were really a good time adjusting/learning; however, the remaining hours afterward to complete the playthrough became tedious and boring.”
    • “You can assign workers to different jobs and buildings, but there is no broad overview for your worker placement, making it extremely tedious to manage as your village grows.”
  • replayability
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it high due to procedural variations, challenge modes, and difficulty modifiers, while others feel it lacks depth and becomes repetitive after the initial playthrough. Many appreciate the unique experiences offered by randomized elements, but some express disappointment over limited content and viable strategies, suggesting that future updates could enhance replay value. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replayability, opinions vary significantly on its current state and potential for improvement.

    • “It's a great city builder/management game, with surprisingly great depth, length, and replayability.”
    • “Replayability is strong thanks to procedural biome variations and the unpredictable nature of onbu’s journeys.”
    • “The art style is amazing, the gameplay is relaxing, there is infinite replayability with the varied onbu terrain and the biomes.”
    • “Once you beat the game, if you are an achievement chaser like I am, this game has no real replay value.”
    • “The game gets really repetitive, really fast, and there's no replayability to the game unlike other games that have shorter play times.”
    • “For a management/building game, 5-6 hours of play with no replay value is a nightmare.”
  • emotional
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachment to the onbu creature and experiencing a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak throughout the narrative. The combination of a wholesome art style, heartfelt storytelling, and meaningful gameplay mechanics creates a unique emotional depth that resonates with players, often leading to tears and a strong investment in the characters and world. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke genuine emotions, making it a standout in the city-building genre.

    • “Plus it made me cry, and I don't think I can think of another city sim that's ever done that.”
    • “The wandering village is one of the most rewarding and emotionally resonant city-building experiences I’ve had in many years.”
    • “The main story itself is simple but very sweet and left me quite emotional at parts, especially at the end.”
  • atmosphere
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by beautiful art styles reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, evocative sound design, and a unique blend of cozy dystopia. Players appreciate the calming yet captivating experience it provides, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a slower-paced, methodical gameplay environment. While the game excels in atmosphere and creativity, some reviewers note that its pacing may feel slow compared to more fast-paced city-builders.

    • “The atmosphere is a fascinating mix of cozy dystopia.”
    • “The music, led by evocative human vocals, creates a calm but emotional atmosphere that lingers.”
    • “Together, these elements create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the player’s connection to the game world.”
    • “While the game shines in creativity and atmosphere, there are moments where its pacing can feel slow, especially for players accustomed to faster city-builders.”
    • “The villagers are adorable, the onbu is just the cutest, and the atmosphere of the devastated world in which they wander lends itself to the overall sense of loneliness and desolation.”
    • “This game is fantastic and quite relaxing, although the peaceful atmosphere changes when the diseases start to appear.”
  • optimization
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the smooth performance and lack of major bugs, others criticize the limited optimization options and occasional performance hiccups, particularly during auto-saving. There are calls for improvements in task management and logistics, especially for players seeking deeper optimization strategies. Overall, while the game runs well, further enhancements are anticipated, especially for platforms like the Steam Deck.

    • “The city building isn't the most complex I've seen, but it definitely has enough depth to satisfy those who want to pursue deep optimization.”
    • “The gameplay loop is methodical and calming, with a well-paced tech tree that continues to offer new tools and optimizations well into the late game.”
    • “I love it; honestly, I have been awaiting this game for so long that I don't care about some minor optimization issues. I know the developers will fix it, and on the other hand, the gamer can address the deviations. You have plenty of options to counter the game's slightly weaker AI, and this is great.”
    • “Graphics - bad (in this picture the game eats resources like Fallout 4), optimization - very bad.”
    • “Basically the only optimization you can do is building placement, and making stone paths so the villagers walk slightly faster.”
    • “There's also absolutely no task optimization.”
  • stability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally well-received, with many players reporting a smooth experience and minimal bugs, especially for an early access title. However, some users have encountered occasional glitches and issues, particularly with specific mechanics like scavenger huts. While the game is praised for its beautiful artwork and solid mechanics, there are calls for further quality of life improvements and content additions.

    • “It's very bug-free for an early access game and has really beautiful artwork.”
    • “A fun and mostly chill indie title that's already well polished for early access; everything works and runs great.”
    • “Completely bug-free, gorgeous art style, adorable characters, and a very easy-to-grasp concept in terms of city-building games.”
    • “Can't recommend it though because it is still buggy (scavenger huts get stuck prior to completion and can't be cancelled or removed), and needs some quality of life and difficulty balancing improvements.”
    • “Some stupid glitches that annoy the hell out of me, but it's an addictive game.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its funny gameplay moments and charming art style, with players enjoying comedic situations such as a town dragon navigating through poison and villagers facing humorous mishaps. While some reviewers noted a lack of randomness or atmospheric humor compared to similar games, many found the experience to be entertaining and looked forward to more amusing adventures.

    • “It was quite funny: I played the tutorial on my first playthrough, my onbu walked through poison, I had poisoned plants and villagers, and then all my buildings started to collapse.”
    • “Also, despite being early, I've already had a funny moment with onbu where he decided to go to sleep in a poison spore cloud... I'm looking forward to more adventures!”
    • “Hehehe, funny town dragon.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its enjoyable village building mechanics and is notable for having no in-game purchases, which contributes to a well-thought-out experience. Players appreciate the absence of monetization tactics, enhancing their overall enjoyment.

    • “A truly enjoyable village building game with no in-game purchases and well thought out.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers praise the game for its impressive character development, highlighting the engaging storytelling and appealing character design that enhance the overall experience. The tasteful integration of character and world design further contributes to the game's immersive narrative.

    • “Amazing game, great storytelling, and awesome character design.”
    • “The character design and the world design are tasteful.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy The Wandering Village

9h Median play time
45h Average play time
6-19h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 41 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like The Wandering Village

Games Like The Wandering Village

Fabledom Image
Timberborn Image
Flotsam Image
Airborne Kingdom Image
Skip Game News
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Wandering Village is a survival strategy game with fantasy and science fiction themes.

The Wandering Village is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 45 hours playing The Wandering Village.

The Wandering Village was released on July 17, 2025.

The Wandering Village was developed by Stray Fawn Studio.

The Wandering Village has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

The Wandering Village is a single player game.

Similar games include Fabledom, Timberborn, Flotsam, Airborne Kingdom, Stranded: Alien Dawn and others.