"Wander" is a massively multiplayer, open-world indie game that allows players to explore lush rainforests, soar through the skies, and swim in the ocean depths in a relaxing, non-combat environment. The game is filled with secrets and is described as "slow moving" and free of explosions. However, it is known to be quite buggy. The goal is to discover the secrets hidden in nature.
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and a tranquil atmosphere, making it visually appealing.
- The concept of a non-combat exploration game is unique and offers a relaxing experience for players who enjoy wandering and discovering.
- The developers are responsive to community feedback and have shown potential for improvement through patches.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues, making it difficult to play and enjoy.
- There is a lack of content and interaction, leading to a feeling of emptiness and confusion during gameplay.
- The game has not been updated in years, leaving it feeling abandoned and unpolished.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of frustration and potential; many players find the mechanics poorly explained and the experience marred by bugs, leading to limited playtime. While the flight mechanics are praised for their realism and the exploratory nature of the game is appreciated, the lack of effective communication tools and a structured quest system detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game shows promise as an MMO adventure but requires significant improvements and patches to enhance its gameplay.
“Flight mechanics feel right and realistic but require practice to get the hang of.”
“The gameplay is exactly like the name of the game; you wander around and explore.”
“The exploratory gameplay mechanic is something I've been waiting for; this is basically an MMO adventure game where we come together to solve the puzzle of what is going on in this universe.”
“Game mechanics, such as writing symbols, were not nearly explained enough for me to understand the first part of it and what constitutes a success and a failure.”
“You might notice a lot of these reviews, like mine, have very little gameplay hours; well, that is mainly due to the game being so buggy that many of us who wanted to play can't even get to do so. I really hope they patch this and fix all the problems; it's a huge disappointment to people who've been waiting to play.”
“Gameplay aside, the game does not seem like it has gone through any testing or quality assurance.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game are generally praised for their quality and aesthetic appeal, with many users highlighting the solid visuals and atmospheric design. However, some players note inconsistencies, such as bugs and areas that appear unfinished, which detract from the overall experience. While the graphics are considered impressive, there are concerns about whether they justify the high system requirements.
“Y'all have some serious talent when it comes to graphics, voice overs, and atmosphere.”
“There is certainly potential here, and the graphics themselves are solid.”
“Wander obviously needs some fixes and tweaks here and there but otherwise it's a graphically stunning and refreshing change.”
“Graphics are nice, or they are awful, meaning that some of the game is finished while some seems abandoned.”
“Graphics look pretty, but not pretty enough to justify such high graphics requirements.”
“The world is pretty, though the graphics aren't the best I've seen.”
- stability9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its significant stability issues, with numerous players reporting it as extremely buggy and unpolished. Many users express disappointment, noting that these technical problems severely hinder gameplay and enjoyment, overshadowing the game's appealing concepts. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires urgent patches to address its stability concerns.
“The issue is that it is extremely buggy and unpolished.”
“I usually don't evaluate games, but this time I have to say that this one is far too buggy.”
“You might notice a lot of these reviews like mine have very little gameplay hours; well, that is mainly due to the game being so buggy that many of us who wanted to play can't even get to do so. I really hope they patch this and fix all the problems; it's a huge disappointment to people who've been waiting to play.”
- story7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is intricately woven into the environment, requiring players to piece together clues rather than being presented with a straightforward narrative. This approach appeals to those who enjoy unraveling mysteries through exploration and puzzle-solving, though it may frustrate players who prefer a more direct storytelling style. Overall, there is a sense of a larger narrative waiting to be discovered, enhancing the game's allure for those willing to engage deeply with its world.
“This is a game for people who want to solve a mystery, for people who like turning the page of a story one puzzle solve at a time (puzzle being finding the hints).”
“When you collected everything, it would be cool to see what happened, but you got the story just like a puzzle, so you must be behind it to understand.”
“The game undeniably needs tweaking and fixing, but the core aspects of the game are wonderful for those people who like to take in exotic, fantastical scenery in a game world that does not spoon-feed the player the world's story.”
“I get the sense there is actually a big story waiting to be unraveled.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its beauty, enhancing the overall experience alongside the graphics. However, some players express disappointment over the perceived value of their purchase, feeling that the music alone does not justify the cost.
“Gorgeous music and landscape”
“I hope I could show you that it is still a really good game with nice graphics, and when you still don't believe me... watch some YouTube videos... turn off the music and most of the bugs they show are all fixed.”
“The fact I spent 22 and a half dollars of Steam money on an icon for the desktop and an opera song made me cry.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning graphics and immersive voiceovers, creating a captivating environment that draws players in. Many users find it perfect for relaxation, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“Y'all have some serious talent when it comes to graphics, voice overs, and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of the game is amazing and draws you in.”
“This game is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express strong emotional reactions, with one reviewer feeling deeply moved and frustrated by the lack of order in a rune-drawing feature, particularly due to their academic background in Japanese language. Additionally, the perceived value of spending money on the game, which they felt was not justified, also contributed to their emotional distress.
“Drawing a rune made me cry as I'm a major in college in the Japanese language, and stroke order as well as direction is exceedingly important. This just seems to be in no inherent order.”
“The fact that I spent $22.50 of Steam money on an icon for the desktop and an opera song made me cry.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the game's current optimization, feeling uncertain about whether to seek a refund or wait for improvements that would allow everyone, regardless of hardware capabilities, to enjoy the experience.
“I'm torn between requesting a refund or waiting for a fix and optimization, so that everyone, regardless of their hardware capabilities, can enjoy the game.”
“The optimization efforts have made a noticeable difference in performance, allowing for a smoother gameplay experience.”
“I appreciate the developers' commitment to optimization, as it has significantly improved the game's stability and overall enjoyment.”
“Now I'm in two minds whether to request a refund or just wait for a fix and, if possible, optimization, so that all of us, regardless of how powerful our hardware is, can enjoy the game.”
“The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
“I was really looking forward to this game, but the lack of optimization has made it nearly unplayable for me.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of traditional grinding mechanics, finding the no-pressure environment refreshing compared to the addictive nature of typical MMORPGs. This approach allows for a more relaxed experience, akin to a multiplayer walking simulator.
“I'm fine with no combat, no quests, no loot, etc. Call it a multiplayer walking simulator if you like, but I think the no-pressure approach is an enjoyable break from the addictive grinding of the typical WoW-style game.”
