Wandersong

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,558 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Wandersong Game Cover
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
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"Wandersong" is a single-player Fantasy Real Time Strategy game with an interesting plot, good mechanics, and sensational graphics. As a singing bard, players interact with the world using music, solving puzzles and meeting 150+ characters. With exceptional music, wholesome story, and accessible design, it provides 10-12 hours of whimsical adventure, despite being quite buggy and requiring some grinding.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,558 reviews
story373 positive mentions
stability38 negative mentions
  • Incredible story with emotional depth and relatable characters.
  • Unique singing mechanic that is creatively integrated into gameplay.
  • Beautiful art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the overall experience.
  • Some platforming sections can feel clunky and frustrating.
  • Occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
  • The game may be too easy for players looking for a challenge.
  • story796 mentions

    The story of *Wandersong* is widely praised for its emotional depth, charming characters, and engaging narrative that subverts traditional hero tropes. Players appreciate the whimsical yet profound journey of a bard trying to save the world through music, which is complemented by a vibrant art style and a captivating soundtrack. While some find the gameplay mechanics simplistic, the heartfelt storytelling and character development resonate strongly, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy story-driven games.

    • “The story is captivating, the characters are amazing, the music just tugs at your heart, and the ending is something that will stay with you.”
    • “Wandersong is a beautiful and dynamic musical with an amazingly heartwarming story.”
    • “The story is emotional and deep, filled with memorable characters and places that will not be forgotten easily.”
    • “The mechanics are so shallow and add next-to-nothing to the experience and so much of your time is wasted by gameplay sections you just wish you could skip to see more story.”
    • “If the story at least tried to develop its characters a little, I could've excused the lackluster gameplay, but no.”
    • “The story is very simple and very predictable for the most part, with a few twists that might actually end up surprising you.”
  • music725 mentions

    The music in "Wandersong" is widely praised for its emotional depth and catchy melodies, effectively enhancing the game's narrative and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the diverse soundtrack, which features a variety of styles and themes that resonate with the game's whimsical and heartfelt story. While some critiques mention that the singing mechanics can feel disjointed at times, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout element that beautifully ties together the game's charming visuals and engaging characters.

    • “The music just tugs at your heart and the ending is something that will stay with you.”
    • “The music is amazing, so are the graphics and story; it's all around a perfect game.”
    • “The music is fantastic throughout, but the songs in act 5 solidify the soundtrack as one of the most enjoyable and memorable as of late.”
    • “For an entire game about singing and music, there sure are about 3 music tracks and then a lot of tracks which are disparate sound effects with no discernable melody or tempo.”
    • “My biggest complaint is that I often felt like the singing was only half as good as it could be; the melodic part is nice, but there's no indication or help for rhythm, so the bits of dialogue when you reveal songs by talking feel very weird because of this.”
    • “The music was alright, but I kind of expected more from a game that literally centers around it and its 'magic'.”
  • gameplay525 mentions

    The gameplay in "Wandersong" is characterized by its unique singing mechanic, which is creatively integrated into various puzzles and challenges throughout the game. While some players find the mechanics simple and occasionally clunky, the overall experience is enhanced by charming visuals, a heartfelt story, and a delightful soundtrack, making it enjoyable despite its lack of depth and challenge. The game excels in its ability to keep gameplay fresh by introducing new mechanics in each chapter, though it may not satisfy those seeking complex gameplay.

    • “The pacing was excellent and every level has a new mechanic that keeps the game fresh.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and unique; it has its own charms and keeps things interesting.”
    • “The singing mechanic is well thought out and expanded upon throughout the game.”
    • “The mechanics are so shallow and add next-to-nothing to the experience, and so much of your time is wasted by gameplay sections you just wish you could skip to see more story.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty basic and easy, but that's okay.”
    • “The gameplay can be lacking at points with a lot of the puzzles being fairly obvious and the singing does get a bit tedious at some points, but the charm of this game alone makes it worthy of a recommendation.”
  • emotional406 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players describing it as a deeply heartwarming and touching experience that evokes a wide range of feelings, including joy, laughter, and tears. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to tackle serious themes like kindness, hope, and personal growth while maintaining a whimsical and charming tone, making it a standout title for those seeking an uplifting narrative. Overall, players express a strong emotional connection to the characters and story, often citing it as one of the most impactful gaming experiences they've had.

    • “One of the most touching and heartfelt stories I've ever experienced; love this game to death.”
    • “This game made me cry my eyes out; I want my 6.79 back 😭😭 (just kidding, I love this game with all my heart).”
    • “Wandersong is an absolutely adorable and heartwarming experience – it is by far a game I highly recommend.”
  • graphics198 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, simplistic, and colorful art style reminiscent of paper cutouts, which many players find enchanting and fitting for the game's light-hearted yet emotional narrative. While the visuals are generally praised for their vibrancy and attention to detail, some users noted occasional graphical glitches and pixelation issues that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the art style effectively complements the game's themes and music, creating a delightful and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The entire playthrough was beautiful and magical with amazing sound, visuals, and story.”
    • “A beautifully charming story with a cute and colorful art style.”
    • “The graphics are incredibly charming, there are a whole lot of different art assets to keep the visuals refreshing all the way through.”
    • “Only problem is the graphics are sometimes really pixelated, so I have a hard time reading the text, especially important info, like the sad guitar guy's description of his secret crush.”
    • “But for some reason this insignificant in terms of graphical fidelity game was constantly dropping in FPS and resolution, and it really lacks anti-aliasing because all the background textures seem really jagged and blocky all the time and it really dampens the impression of the game.”
    • “Two things that bother me about this game are that there are some visual bugs here and there as well as jagged and blurry visuals from time to time.”
  • humor139 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness, charm, and ability to evoke genuine laughter while balancing emotional depth. Players appreciate the well-developed characters, funny dialogue, and whimsical scenarios, often highlighting moments that blend silliness with heartfelt storytelling. Overall, the game is described as a delightful mix of light-hearted humor and poignant themes, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

    • “The characters are well made, funny, relatable, realistic, and just all around amazing.”
    • “It's funny, interesting, and a treat to play.”
    • “The humor is on point, the characters feel unique, and despite a simple control scheme, you solve everything with song.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game has been reported to have a variety of bugs and glitches, particularly affecting the platforming and graphical aspects, which can detract from the overall experience. While many players noted that these issues are generally not game-breaking, they can be frustrating and impact immersion, especially in a story-driven context. Some users experienced minor glitches without significant disruption, but a call for more polish and responsiveness from developers was common among reviews.

    • “My only problem with the game is that some parts of the game and the achievements are buggy at times, though you can fix it by going back to the old version.”
    • “I found some of it so frustrating and buggy that it really affected how I viewed this game.”
    • “Despite the fun I had playing the game, there are several bugs and glitches that really made me mad and annoyed while playing.”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with well-written characters that evolve throughout the story. Players appreciate the unique personalities and interactions, particularly highlighting the sidekick Miriam's impactful growth. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in the antagonist's development and certain rushed narrative elements, yet overall, the character arcs contribute significantly to the game's charm and engagement.

    • “Fun gameplay, great music, but most of all, excellent character development and writing.”
    • “The character development is excellent -- the bard really is a human, with a full gamut of emotions.”
    • “This game sneaks up on you in the best way—not with twists, but with just, continually layering on character development in natural ways, so you don't even notice when it got its hooks into you.”
    • “The main character is supposed to be the bard, but Miriam, the sidekick, really steals the show in terms of character development.”
    • “But here comes my first gripe with this game: later in the story, character development for the antagonist is completely thrown out the window for no reason, and there is another character who lied several times in the course of the story, but the bard still believes them without hesitation, so the last act of the game feels a bit rushed when it comes to writing.”
    • “Character design is very uninspired; especially the bard, the character you play for the majority of the game.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by its colorful, music-driven environment that evokes a happy and inviting vibe, making it a charming and relaxing experience. Players appreciate the emotional depth of the narrative, enhanced by beautiful music that complements the overall feel of the game. While some find the artistic style simplistic, the strong character presence and engaging atmosphere create a captivating experience that resonates with many.

    • “This is a game brimming with atmosphere; the work that went into all the music is phenomenal, the innovative ideas behind the various challenges and how everything fits together is impressive, and the story had me in tears both of joy and sadness from beginning to end.”
    • “The music is wonderful and does a great job at invoking the feelings the story and atmosphere want you to feel.”
    • “Great way to relax after a long stressful day, perfect for chilling in a super positive atmosphere.”
    • “You won't find any revolutionary new mechanics; rather, it's the overall feel of the game and the atmosphere it brings with it that kept me enthralled the entire time.”
    • “The atmosphere is playful and inviting to many people and is loved by many people.”
    • “Charming atmosphere”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report no performance issues and commend the integration of music and story, others experience significant stuttering and rendering lag, making it unplayable. Despite attempts to troubleshoot and optimize settings, issues like memory leaks and visual/audio stuttering persist, indicating a need for further improvements from the developers.

    • “Graphics, sound design, UI/UX, controls, performance, accessibility, and not having NPCs repeat themselves - everything is exemplary.”
    • “No performance issues.”
    • “I would be delighted to give this game the 9/10 it comes close to earning if the dev could make the platforming less infuriating, plug the memory leak, and throw in some optimizations.”
    • “Unfortunately unplayable due to stuttering/rendering lag.”
    • “I am happy to have played the game and gone on this journey, but if the dev could make the platforming less infuriating, plug the memory leak and throw in some optimizations, I'd be delighted to give this game the 9/10 it comes close to earning.”
    • “I've gone through the troubleshooting process, I've taken the recommended steps - I've reduced the resolution, I'm not running it on a high refresh rate display, but I'm still getting bugs and both visual and audio stuttering.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game has low replayability, primarily due to its short story and limited gameplay variations. However, players express a desire to revisit the game for its engaging characters and narrative, which can provide a nostalgic experience despite the lack of substantial replay value. Some elements, like easter eggs and different choices, offer minor incentives for replaying.

    • “The variety in the gameplay and mechanics for each act makes up for the lack in difficulty; I still enjoyed playing the game very much, and there were plenty of easter eggs and different choices you could make to give the game replay value.”
    • “It's always fun to come back to every now and then to relive the experience.”
    • “Although it lacks replayability in the usual sense, I could absolutely see myself coming back to this just to interact with all the characters again, like revisiting old friends.”
    • “The only problem I have with this game is the relatively short story and basically no replayability.”
    • “The only downside to the game is that it has little replayability compared to other titles you can find today, but it makes up for that with an outstanding story and relatable characters.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While the story and character interactions are appreciated, many reviewers note that the gameplay can become repetitive and overly long, with certain sections requiring excessive waiting or button mashing. Despite these criticisms, some still recommend the game for its charm and narrative depth.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I enjoyed the game and the idea behind the signature mechanic, but in practice, the game felt over-long and tedious to play more than it was fun.”
    • “The overall difficulty is rather low, but some parts are really tedious involving waiting or mashing your note keys to activate something.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
4-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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