Wandering Sword
- September 14, 2023
- The Swordman Studio
- 46h median play time
Wandering Sword is an excellent debut game and has all the hallmarks of a classic RPG. Do not overlook this superb indie gem!
"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.
Reviews
- The graphics and art style are stunning, reminiscent of classic RPGs with a modern twist.
- The game offers a rich and engaging story that captures the essence of Wuxia, with well-developed characters and intriguing side quests.
- The combat system is enjoyable, allowing for strategic turn-based or real-time battles, and the unique leveling mechanics provide a satisfying sense of progression.
- The story can feel rushed towards the end, leaving some plot points unresolved and lacking closure for characters.
- There are many 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, which can detract from the overall experience.
- story1,130 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is a rich tapestry of classic wuxia themes, featuring a well-written narrative that intertwines honor, revenge, and self-discovery, with numerous side quests that enhance the overall experience. While the main storyline is somewhat linear and can feel rushed towards the end, the depth of character development and the variety of outcomes based on player choices in side quests provide a compelling journey. However, some players noted issues with quest navigation and the impact of choices, suggesting that the story could benefit from more branching paths and clearer quest indicators.
“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 was well thought out, and had enough wuxia tropes to satisfy the itch.”
“The main story is decent, but the side quests are where it really shines.”
“The story is linear, but most of your choices matter.”
“The story feels like a classic wuxia story, and given this is my first time actually buying a wuxia game I've had a really good time.”
- gameplay234 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wandering Sword" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging blend of turn-based strategy and real-time elements, which offers depth and tactical variety. However, some players note issues with power scaling, unclear mechanics, and a lack of end-game content, leading to repetitive gameplay over time. Despite these drawbacks, the game is celebrated for its rich story, character development, and unique mechanics that resonate with fans of the wuxia genre.
“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.”
“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.”
“The gameplay is an interesting mix of classic RPG exploration with a cut down tactics battle system that has the option for real-time or turn-based.”
“Mechanics got dull over time.”
“Gameplay was fun for a while but got boring as it's not very deep and some fights with multiple enemies just take forever.”
“Unfortunately, this game is completely scripted and built on endless grind mechanics.”
- graphics154 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, characterized by beautiful pixel art and a unique 2.5D art style reminiscent of titles like "Octopath Traveler." Players appreciate the detailed environments, fluid animations, and charming character designs, which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the visuals are described as stunning and well-executed, enhancing the game's appeal and storytelling.
“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 adaption of Octopath Traveler's art style is rather on a very shallow level.”
- grinding106 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
Overall, the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the balance between progression and the grind itself. While some find the grinding rewarding and manageable, especially with features like auto-battle and real-time combat, others feel it can become tedious and time-consuming, particularly for crafting and leveling up skills. The game encourages exploration and side quests, which can mitigate the grind, but those who prefer a more traditional RPG experience may find the grinding more pronounced.
“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 and auto battle, nice graphics and soundtrack, decent cheesy story that 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 game has relatively little grinding, unless you want to level every usable character.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music106 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative 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 is generally well-crafted and enjoyable, some players feel it lacks diversity and depth, especially in certain gameplay scenarios.
“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.”
“Music is beautiful, expressive, and very fitting for the genre.”
“Being an obviously low budget game, there are not many soundtracks in it, and a lot of the tracks are repeated.”
“The music was okay, but they probably could have used a few more songs for battle and overworld walking around.”
“The gameplay and music are getting repetitive; please add new music and gameplay in future content.”
- replayability27 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to diverse character builds, multiple endings, and the discovery of secrets, while others feel that the core story remains largely unchanged, limiting the incentive to replay. Developers are committed to enhancing replayability through future updates and additional content, but current feedback suggests that many players may not find enough variation to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, such as character recruitment and skill experimentation, the experience can feel repetitive for some.
“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.”
“The game has high replayability because the choices that you make matter to the story.”
“Almost no replayability unless you want to relive the exact same story again.”
“If I had any complaints about the game, there's not much replay value outside of trying to get minor differences in the ending.”
“Maybe not really replayable at its current state but perhaps in the future.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its compelling story and well-crafted characters, which evoke feelings of honor, revenge, and self-discovery, reminiscent of traditional wuxia/xianxia novels. While players can become deeply invested in the characters and their journeys, the use of poetic language may hinder emotional resonance for some, particularly younger audiences. Overall, the game successfully engages players emotionally, though it may feel somewhat conventional in its hero's journey narrative.
“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 till 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 development12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably strong, particularly for companions, with rich backstories and unique skills that enhance gameplay. While the depth of character arcs is comparable to classic titles like Final Fantasy VI, some players wish for more interaction and closure with companions. Overall, the combination of compelling narratives and visually striking character designs contributes to a rewarding experience, despite occasional frustrations in the development system.
“The character development is really strong for your companions as well, which is one of my favorite aspects. Although I do wish that your companions would get some kind of ending with the main character, depending on their affinity with you.”
“The level of character development is probably comparable to Final Fantasy VI for the peripheral characters.”
“The character development system is unique and is fun to determine what skills and abilities combo with each other.”
“The level of character development is probably comparable to Final Fantasy VI for the peripheral characters.”
“The combat and character development system can be a bit frustrating at times, but is very rewarding after getting through certain points of slump.”
“I mentioned character development, but the real power is in crafting.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a mixed bag, with some players finding it both hilarious and deep, while others criticize the English translation for lacking the charm of the original Chinese. Certain elements, like the absurdity of sparring with children for their lunch money and the unconvincing romance subplot, provide comedic moments, though some aspects may come off as repetitive or dull. Overall, while there are funny moments, the execution varies significantly across different parts of the game.
“Hilariously, it was the one negative review I found that made me buy.”
“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.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative 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 sound design complements the visuals, enhancing the enchanting mood with ambient sounds and atmospheric music. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a captivating atmosphere leaves a lasting impression on players.
“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.”
- stability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players appreciate its beautiful design and smooth initial performance, there are notable issues with bugs, particularly in questlines and user interface elements. Some players have experienced glitches that can disrupt gameplay, especially when quests are completed out of order, but gamepad controls reportedly function well for most users.
“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.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it is playable on the Steam Deck, users report issues with controller configuration and a need for a more user-friendly UI. Some players appreciate the extensive inventory management, but there are still rough spots that could benefit from further refinement. A notable bug occurred prior to an optimization update, suggesting that improvements are ongoing.
“By the way, the UI can be optimized to be more user-friendly.”
“But if you like games with big inventories and lots of optimization, this could be for you.”
“The bug only happened one time as I selected to move through the enemies' path, and that was before the optimization update.”
“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.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with no manipulative schemes reported; however, players express frustration over the difficulty spikes and overwhelming enemy ads that hinder progress, suggesting that the game may require balancing patches to improve the experience.
“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 monetization in this game is fair and transparent, allowing players to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate how the game offers optional purchases without making them feel necessary to progress. It strikes a great balance!”
“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 really balance the difficulties and the enemy ads that are way too much for you to handle so you have a great experience that this game tries to give but it fails really hard in doing it.”
Critic Reviews
Wandering Sword Review
Wandering Sword brings a wuxia title to the PC, delivering a decent, yet slightly clunky strategy RPG to the PC.
60%Peak Wuxia Experience
Wandering Sword is a Chinese martial-arts RPG where you play a young swordsman caught up in a feud and nearly dies. Escaping the event puts you on the path of pursuing the highest form of martial arts and exploring the pugilistic world to become the great hero you are always destined to be.
80%Wandering Sword Review – A Weak Combination
Wandering Sword promises sweeping wuxia action in a classic JRPG-style tactical RPG. Instead, it delivers a five-fingered death punch of bad localization, obtuse systems, and terrible save management.
30%