Wandering Sword

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,726 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Wandering Sword Game Cover
Wandering Sword is an excellent debut game and has all the hallmarks of a classic RPG. Do not overlook this superb indie gem!
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"Wandering Sword" is a single-player Historical Turn Based Strategy game, set in ancient China, with an ingenious story, exceptional game mechanics, and stellar visuals. It boasts an innovative combat system, combining turn-based and real-time modes, and offers an immersive journey through over 75 diverse locations. However, the game can be very grinding, but its wholesome story makes it worthwhile.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,726 reviews
story694 positive mentions
grinding206 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and a captivating world setting that immerses players in the Wuxia genre.
  • The story is well-written with engaging characters and numerous side quests that enhance the overall experience.
  • The unique combat and progression system, which focuses on acquiring martial arts techniques and cultivation methods, adds depth and variety to gameplay.
  • The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly towards the end, where the story feels rushed and lacks closure for many characters.
  • There are numerous missable quests and characters, which can lead to frustration for players trying to achieve 100% completion.
  • The English translation has some awkward phrasing and grammatical errors that can detract from the overall narrative experience.
  • story2,260 mentions

    The story of "Wandering Sword" is praised for its rich narrative and well-developed characters, immersing players in a classic wuxia tale filled with themes of honor, revenge, and self-discovery. While the main storyline is generally linear and can feel rushed towards the end, the extensive side quests offer depth and variety, often featuring engaging plots that enhance the overall experience. However, some players note issues with pacing, translation quality, and the potential to miss important content if the main story is advanced too quickly.

    • “The story is compelling, drawing you into a journey of honor, revenge, and self-discovery, with well-written characters that add emotional depth.”
    • “I truly enjoyed the music, the storytelling themes, the wuxia world, the side questing, etc. there's a lot to sink your teeth into if you're willing to explore.”
    • “The story follows the travels of a xiake (chivalrous martial artist) named yuwen yi, a spirited young man whom is no stranger to suffering or loss.”
    • “Also, mediocre story plot, and also, wuxia themed game with no wuxia freedom, I don't think the developer knows what wuxia means.”
    • “The main story will get an update in the future, which is good because it did feel unfinished, along with some side characters' story quests and move sets, like the first ally you get.”
    • “The story is linear, but most of your choices matter.”
  • gameplay469 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wandering Sword" is a blend of turn-based strategy and real-time elements, offering an engaging and innovative combat system that appeals to fans of tactical RPGs. While the game features a rich array of mechanics and character progression options, some players find certain systems convoluted or underexplained, leading to a learning curve that can detract from the experience. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fun and addictive loop, though it may become repetitive over time, and some quality-of-life issues have been noted.

    • “The combat system, blending turn-based strategy with real-time elements, is both innovative and challenging, allowing for deep tactical gameplay that keeps you engaged.”
    • “Gameplay is fun and just complex enough to keep things interesting without you having to min-max every single member of your party.”
    • “Great gameplay, great build variety, great replayability, great enemy variety, great battle system, great optional farming, great character progression, great art style, great varied environments, great open exploration, great exploration rewarding.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game is completely scripted and built on endless grind mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay was fun for a while but got boring as it's not very deep and some fights with multiple enemies just take forever.”
    • “The gameplay, to put it simply, has not evolved since the 1990s classical wuxia games.”
  • graphics308 mentions

    The graphics of "Wandering Sword" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and unique 2.5D aesthetic, often compared to titles like "Octopath Traveler." Players appreciate the detailed environments, fluid animations, and charming character designs, which create an immersive experience that enhances the game's storytelling and gameplay. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The graphics of 'Wandering Sword' are visually striking, characterized by detailed environments, fluid animations, and beautiful character designs.”
    • “The art style blends traditional hand-drawn aesthetics with modern techniques, creating a unique and immersive world for players to explore.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the music is lovely, and the minor gripes I had with the game early on are quickly being addressed by the dev team.”
    • “Given how fast my fans spin while the game's running, this is probably not for lower-end computers, a bit weird since the graphics aren't that stand-out.”
    • “Wish the graphics were better, but the plot and adventures are really good.”
    • “The adaptation of Octopath Traveler's art style is rather on a very shallow level.”
  • grinding212 mentions

    The game's grinding mechanics are generally viewed as manageable and rewarding, with many players appreciating the balance between progression and combat. While some find the grinding tedious, especially for crafting and leveling, features like auto-battle and real-time combat modes help alleviate the monotony. Overall, grinding is not strictly necessary for progression, but it is encouraged for those looking to enhance their characters and skills.

    • “Moreover, everything has been done to make the player's life easier: turn-based or real-time combat modes, automatic and accelerated modes, relatively simple and well-designed menus, the possibility to avoid random encounters by circumventing the monsters, little to no grinding is required and we face a great variety of enemies and patterns… at no point do you feel trapped in a monotonous and repetitive game system.”
    • “For what it is right now (wuxia themed JRPG), the game is already quite excellent - fun and addictive gameplay loop that's also not tedious thanks to certain features such as real-time + auto battle, nice graphics and soundtrack, decent cheesy story takes a lot from wuxia novels/manhua that I like such as Jin Yong novels or Wind and Cloud.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The biggest negative I can say is that it can get very grindy, although the updates have added options to make battles go entirely automatically, be real-time instead of turn-based, and run at 2x speed, all of which reduces the slog.”
    • “This game is an absolute masterpiece except for one undeniable flaw which, in my case, makes completing it very boring and tedious.”
    • “I will say, the grinding is a lot so bring a cup of tea and a second monitor, or if you hate grinding, don't challenge the harder modes.”
  • music212 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and atmospheric quality that complements the storytelling and visuals. However, several players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive, particularly during battles, and expressed a desire for more varied tracks. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, there is room for improvement in diversity and quantity.

    • “The sound design in 'Wandering Sword' is top-notch, with immersive ambient sounds, impactful combat effects, and atmospheric music that enhances the overall mood of the game.”
    • “The aesthetics, art style, hand-drawn portraits, pixel art graphics, and soundtrack are all absolutely gorgeous, and the story is a classic hero journey from underdog to master, full of tales of honor, justice, revenge, and sacrifice.”
    • “As a Chinese martial art fiction fan and martial artist practitioner, this game is what I’m looking for, currently 20+ hours in the game and very happy in every aspect of it: story, music, gameplay, characters.”
    • “Being an obviously low budget game, there are not many soundtracks in it, and a lot of the tracks are repeated.”
    • “The music gets somewhat repetitive.”
    • “You get a lot of points for having a different soundtrack for exploring, each city, etc., but when I have to hear the same super-dragonball-action-go song 30-second loop at least 3 times for each of 12+ battles, it gets old super fast.”
  • replayability54 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high potential due to diverse character builds, multiple endings, and the discovery of secrets during exploration. However, others feel that the current state offers limited replay value, primarily revolving around minor differences in story outcomes and character recruitment. Developers are committed to enhancing replayability through future updates and additional content, which may improve the experience over time.

    • “Great gameplay, great build variety, great replayability, great enemy variety, great battle system, great optional farming, great character progression, great art style, great varied environments, great open exploration, great exploration rewarding.”
    • “In terms of replayability, if you are playing blind, you will almost always discover new stuff, as there are so many secrets and hidden triggers.”
    • “The character building system (with meridians to choose from) plus all the variety of skills/styles (cultivation skills, lightweight skills, and weapons skills) to mix and match really allows lots of room for experimentation and even replayability.”
    • “Almost no replayability unless you want to relive the exact same story again.”
    • “Finally, in its current state, the game doesn't have much replay value.”
    • “If I had any complaints about the game, there's not much replay value outside of trying to get minor differences in the ending.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The game offers a compelling narrative filled with themes of honor, revenge, and self-discovery, featuring well-crafted characters that evoke emotional depth. While players can become deeply invested in the story and characters, the use of poetic language may hinder emotional resonance for English-speaking audiences, particularly younger players who may struggle to connect with the mature themes. Overall, the emotional experience is impactful but can feel somewhat conventional and less engaging for those unable to relate to its deeper messages.

    • “The story is compelling, drawing you into a journey of honor, revenge, and self-discovery, with well-written characters that add emotional depth.”
    • “I had no idea how moving emotionally it could be until I dove deeper into the story.”
    • “I'm becoming emotionally invested in how things turn out for a few of my merry band of martial artists!”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably strong, particularly for companions, with rich backstories and unique abilities that enhance gameplay. While the depth of character arcs is comparable to classics like Final Fantasy VI, some players express a desire for more interaction and closure with companions based on their affinity. Overall, the character design and development system are praised for their creativity and rewarding complexity, despite occasional frustrations in execution.

    • “The character development system is unique and is fun to determine what skills and abilities combo with each other.”
    • “A bandit on the path of redemption, a sword master who left his own school, an unarmed combatant afflicted with a frail ego, there's lots of meat on the bone for character development.”
    • “Good game, nice plot twists and good character development.”
    • “The combat and character development system can be a bit frustrating at times, but is very rewarding after getting through certain points of slump.”
    • “The level of character development is probably comparable to Final Fantasy VI for the peripheral characters.”
    • “I mentioned character development, but the real power is in crafting.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, with some players finding it both funny and deep, while others criticize the flat English translation that diminishes the comedic elements of the original Chinese story. The absurdity of certain scenarios, like sparring with children for their lunch money, adds a twisted humor, but the romance subplot is often described as hilariously unconvincing and repetitive. Overall, while there are moments of genuine humor, they can be overshadowed by dull character interactions and pacing issues.

    • “Funny and deep at the same time.”
    • “Also kind of funny in a twisted way that you can spar with children and take their lunch money/candy.”
    • “The romance with Miss Ouyoung is hilariously unconvincing.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is richly immersive, featuring a beautifully crafted world inspired by ancient China, with vibrant landscapes and meticulous attention to detail across various settings. The top-notch sound design, including ambient sounds and atmospheric music, further enhances the mood, making it a captivating experience reminiscent of titles like "Octopath Traveler." Overall, players appreciate the enchanting and cozy atmosphere, which significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “The game offers a beautifully crafted world inspired by ancient China, where every landscape is filled with vibrant detail and rich atmosphere.”
    • “From lush forests to bustling cities, each location is crafted with care and attention to detail, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The sound design in 'Wandering Sword' is top-notch, with immersive ambient sounds, impactful combat effects, and atmospheric music that enhances the overall mood of the game.”
    • “This is like a well written fanfic; the mood is there, the atmosphere is there, the character is there, but the story feels a bit copy-pasted.”
    • “In short, it is similar to Live A Live and Octopath Traveler in art direction, gameplay, and atmosphere, but with a wuxia theme and its own unique ingredients to the formula—like its more tactical combat, linear story with many choices (as opposed to the multiple short story style of the aforementioned games), and relationship point system, to name a few.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate its beautiful design and smooth initial performance, several report significant bugs, particularly with questlines and UI elements. Issues such as getting locked in towns and awkward batch selling mechanics detract from the experience, though gamepad controls seem to function well for most users. Overall, the game is still in beta, and players anticipate improvements in stability.

    • “A beautiful game that runs great (seriously, it opens right to the menu. I haven't seen that in a game forever).”
    • “The game is beautiful, well-made, and had no glitches.”
    • “Ok game, it's still in beta. It was said to be buggy, and they were right. I often find myself locked in towns, repeating scenes over and over.”
    • “Tldr: Buggy questlines if you do them out of order; some are missable.”
    • “First, I think some glitches need some work.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while it is playable on the Steam Deck, users noted issues with controller configuration and a need for a more user-friendly UI. Some players appreciate the game's extensive inventory system, but there are still rough spots that could benefit from further optimization. A bug was reported prior to an optimization update, indicating ongoing improvements are needed.

    • “But if you like games with big inventories and lots of optimization, this could be for you.”
    • “The game is definitely playable on Steam Deck, but it has some rough spots with the controls not quite being optimized or configured for controllers, it seems.”
    • “By the way, the UI can be optimized to be more user-friendly.”
    • “The bug only happened one time as I selected to move through the enemies' path, and that was before the optimization update.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The game's monetization approach is generally praised for avoiding manipulative tactics, but players express frustration with the difficulty spikes and overwhelming enemy ads that hinder progress, suggesting that balancing patches are needed for a better experience. While the core gameplay and story are engaging, the current monetization model does not alleviate the challenges faced during battles.

    • “This game is amazing! The story is engaging, the mechanics are good, and the developers deserve praise for their work. There are no weird psychological monetization schemes, which is a huge plus.”
    • “The developers have done a fantastic job with this game. The monetization is fair and transparent, making it enjoyable without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a balanced monetization model. It allows players to enjoy the experience without being bombarded by aggressive in-game purchases.”
    • “If you try to go for the main story only, sorry, there's no way, because there will be no build, no food, no pills that could help you with the ads in the bosses of this game that are a lot.”
    • “As an example, many times you'll be engaging battles with a party of five against a strongly overpowered enemy, but the problem is that this strong enemy can destroy your entire party with one or two attacks due to the ads that can be of six and eight.”
    • “That being said, I recommend waiting for more patches to balance the difficulties and the enemy ads that are way too much for you to handle so you can have a great experience that this game tries to give but fails really hard in doing it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

46hMedian play time
43hAverage play time
40-72hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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