Wingspan
- September 16, 2020
- Monster Couch
- 22h median play time
+ Calming + Smoothly designed + Unique within the genre + Perfectly suited art and sound direction - Confusing tutorial (Reviewed on PC, also available on Nintendo Switch)
Wingspan is a strategy card game for 1-5 players, where you compete to build and manage a network of wildlife preserves for bird enthusiasts. Officially licensed and based on the 2019 Kennerspiel des Jahres board game award winner, it offers phenomenal gameplay, stunning visuals, and a stellar soundtrack. With dense atmosphere, wholesome story, and excellent replayability, it supports local multi-player, co-op, single-player, and PvP modes, offering both split-screen and online play.
Reviews
- Wingspan is a beautifully designed game with stunning artwork and soothing music, making it a relaxing experience.
- The game offers a variety of strategies and high replayability, ensuring that no two games are the same.
- The digital adaptation effectively automates many of the game's mechanics, making it easier to play and learn compared to the physical version.
- The online multiplayer experience is marred by long turn timers and frequent player dropouts, leading to frustrating game sessions.
- The tutorial is overly complicated and lengthy, making it difficult for new players to grasp the game's mechanics.
- The user interface can be clunky, especially when trying to manage a large number of cards in hand, which can hinder gameplay.
- music750 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and calming qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere of the gameplay. Many players appreciate the beautiful soundtrack and the incorporation of real bird calls, which contribute to a serene experience. However, some users note that the limited variety in the soundtrack can lead to repetitiveness over extended play sessions. Overall, the music is considered a highlight, complementing the game's stunning visuals and engaging mechanics.
“The music is beautiful, the art incredible and the game itself quite engaging and has a fair bit of strategy to it from what I've played.”
“The soundtrack is wonderful as well, providing an appropriately mellow vibe that synergizes well with the themes and presentation of the game.”
“The music, the artwork - magnificent!”
“First, the background music is repetitive.”
“However the limited amount of tracks makes the music kind of repetitive in the long run.”
“But I don't like that so before getting this game consider to yourself if you want to spend hours of your time on one match, with no combat or action of any kind, a mediocre soundtrack, and an immensely complicated game experience.”
- graphics495 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful artwork, charming animations, and soothing sound design, creating a relaxing and immersive experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the bird illustrations and the calming ambiance provided by the music and bird calls. Overall, the visuals enhance the gameplay, making it both aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable to learn about birds.
“The beautiful artwork of the birds and the lovingly designed cards transported me to a world where I could escape from the daily stresses.”
“The graphics have a soft tone to them like an acrylic painting.”
“The artwork is beautiful, the soundtrack is calming, and the gameplay is always interesting.”
“The graphics are mostly pretty naff except for the excellent birds which are quite superior and engaging.”
“Graphics and fonts are unnecessarily large.”
“Just downloaded the 1/25/2022 update and the graphics are unreadable.”
- gameplay388 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wingspan" is characterized by its engaging mechanics and strategic depth, offering a blend of simplicity and complexity that appeals to both casual and experienced players. While the game features a steep learning curve due to its many interlocking systems, players find the experience rewarding as they explore various strategies and bird synergies. The digital adaptation enhances the original board game with beautiful visuals, soothing music, and intuitive tutorials, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
“The gameplay itself has surprising depth and the AI players work well.”
“The gameplay is smooth with high replayability, the artwork is absolutely stunning and does the original board game justice.”
“It's a beautifully designed game with simple mechanics that can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it.”
“The fact that this game does not have a tabletop view for the gameplay has made me stop playing this version of the game.”
“It's more of a 'let's throw all of the mechanics at the player at once and talk about moving this cube around for some reason'.”
“The tutorial overloads the player from the get-go with mechanics right on the very first minute.”
- replayability90 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its variety of strategies, randomized objectives, and diverse bird cards, which ensure that each session feels unique. Players find it engaging and easy to learn, making it suitable for both casual and competitive play, while the soothing visuals and music enhance the overall experience. Many reviews highlight that the game remains enjoyable and fresh, even after multiple playthroughs, solidifying its status as a highly replayable title.
“The gameplay itself is compelling with a lot of casual replayability, and the visuals, music, and bird songs are icing on the cake.”
“The complexity that the relatively simple rules allow for makes it a deep and very replayable experience.”
“Replayability is genuinely fantastic as bonus cards and goals in the game change every time you play.”
“While a session can be played through in anything from 30 minutes to an hour, the longevity of this game comes mainly from the endless replay value.”
“It's complex, shockingly competitive despite how it may look on first glance, and has near-infinite replay value.”
“Replayability isn't a concern with the wide variety of challenges, the various bird attributes, and changing win conditions present in each run of the game.”
- stability84 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and issues with online multiplayer functionality. While some players have noted improvements and quick patches from developers, others express frustration over persistent glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in online modes. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but marred by significant stability issues that may deter potential players.
“Runs great and looks great.”
“Great port of the board game and pretty bug free.”
“No glitches experienced so far.”
“Unable to play the game for about a month (freezes/hangs on main menu) and crickets from the support/dev team.”
“Game often freezes and you are forced to shut the program down, then reopen it.”
“It's a pretty buggy experience overall, would not recommend except for the most patient of users.”
- atmosphere47 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its serene and calming qualities, enhanced by soothing music and the sounds of birds, creating a relaxing environment for players. The beautiful artwork and gentle sound design contribute to a peaceful experience, making it enjoyable for both casual and strategic gameplay. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as therapeutic and aesthetically pleasing, effectively capturing the essence of nature.
“What makes Wingspan so special isn't just the serene atmosphere it exudes, but also the depth of the game itself.”
“The combination of the music and overall atmosphere of the game makes it a very relaxing experience.”
“The beautiful artwork is preserved, and the atmosphere is augmented with bird calls and an extremely gentle and calming soundtrack.”
“You mostly get the advertised serene atmosphere.”
“The overall atmosphere of the game is very relaxing, too.”
“Cheerful chirping and shrill whistles, muffled hooting and sharp quacking, melodious roulades and fascinating trills, in a word, all the sounds made by birds combined with a charming melody create in that game a special atmosphere of peace and relaxation.”
- story16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that "Wingspan" lacks a traditional story mode, with many users noting the absence of a narrative progression. While players appreciate the thematic elements related to bird conservation and the unique characteristics of the cards, the overall consensus is that the game does not offer a substantial story experience. Instead, it focuses on gameplay mechanics and strategies, appealing primarily to those who enjoy a relaxing, nature-themed environment.
“Nice birds and a bit of a story with each.”
“Relaxing game that allows you to see and hear birds (if you are a bird lover) with nice quests and decent AI.”
“Epic story”
“The only thing missing from the PC version is a story mode that progresses with birds until the end.”
“This game has no story.”
“You are sick of blood, gore, and sex being used as a substitute for a well-thought-out story or mechanics.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and calming experience, enhanced by beautiful artwork and a touching soundtrack that resonates deeply with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of relaxation and joy, making it a cherished choice for those seeking a heartwarming gaming experience. Overall, it is celebrated as one of the most emotionally uplifting games available, offering a blend of engaging mechanics and a soothing atmosphere.
“It's an experience that touches you on an emotional level, taking you on a journey of discovery and relaxation.”
“But also, the music is so beautiful it makes me want to cry.”
“Extremely calming and wholesome, just a happy experience all around.”
- optimization13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that while it is playable on platforms like the Steam Deck, there are significant performance issues and bugs that need addressing. Many users feel that the game could benefit from better graphics optimization and a more cohesive design approach, as it seems to struggle with both mobile and desktop versions. Despite some smooth multiplayer experiences, the consensus is that further optimization and hotfixes are necessary for an ideal gaming experience.
“Fantastic game, the DLCs need some bug work on the Steam Deck, but it is playable and optimized.”
“Ran across a couple of glitches the first time I played it since it had been released the day before, but bug fixes have already been run and so far my game runs smoothly.”
“Multiplayer runs smoothly, the AI seems to work well, and I have nothing bad to say.”
“I'm personally not a big fan of this since this game could have been heavily optimized by using a singular board with different segments on it rather than how it's implemented now.”
“The game needs to be optimized before I would recommend this game.”
“It feels like it was optimized for developing a mobile copy at the same time as a desktop copy, and fails both.”
- grinding11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- -18 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when it comes to obtaining karma and achievements. The online play exacerbates this issue, as the pace can slow down significantly due to the need to reconstruct actions and manage multiple games without an easy switching mechanism. Overall, while the game offers a refreshing theme, the grinding elements detract from the overall experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
“Grinding becomes a satisfying journey as you unlock new abilities and gear.”
“Kinda wish the developers could make it so if someone rage quits, the other players who didn't rage can still gain that karma, because karma is grindy to obtain.”
“This is tedious, and especially problematic in the online environment because two players can, say, take back-to-back turns in quick succession where the first player draws a face-up bird, then the next player draws the face-up bird that replaces it.”
“I find playing online pretty tedious because of how much longer it takes in comparison to playing against AI.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the achievements and bird facts amusing and entertaining. The narrator's comedic delivery and the quirky presentation of game elements contribute to a lighthearted and engaging experience. Overall, the blend of clever wordplay and humorous interactions enhances the game's appeal, making it both fun and addictive.
“The achievements are hilarious.”
“The online version is a beautiful rendition with long-listen tolerable music, fun sound effects, and an earnestly hilarious narrator...who, as it turns out, has an equally hilarious portfolio of other professional work.”
“The audio is alternately mellow and hilarious, the computery voice of the bird fact narrator predictably robo-enthused, the facts about birds themselves often amusing.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for excessive advertisements and a focus on inducing fear of missing out (fomo) through limited-time paid content, leading many players to feel that it prioritizes profit over user experience. Despite being a paid purchase, the frequent ads detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.
“The monetization strategy is well-balanced, offering players the option to purchase cosmetic items without feeling pressured to spend.”
“I appreciate that the game provides plenty of free content, making it enjoyable without needing to invest money.”
“The in-game purchases are optional and do not hinder the overall experience, allowing players to enjoy the game at their own pace.”
“Great game, but I shouldn't have to look at an advertisement for another game to play.”
“Get rid of the advertisements and I'll change this review to positive.”
“It's a paid purchase, but I have to click through an advertisement every single time I start the game.”
Critic Reviews
Wingspan Review
Wingspan is a strong card game for those with the patience to learn how it works. It's fun, compulsive and can sometimes truly surprise you with stacked effects and their outcomes. Its translation to the Switch is a little... difficult, but certainly not for want of trying. In handheld it's far from ideal, but on the dock, as a couch multiplayer experience, there's plenty of fun to be had. It's also enjoyable alone as you'll seek out ways to create the highest-scoring possible deck. Despite a few porting issues, Wingspan is definitely a good time, and it'll be difficult to stop after just one game. It's a lot cheaper than the physical game, too, making it a thoroughly viable alternative.
70%Wingspan (Switch) Review
A remarkably chill board game adaptation with lots of multiplayer options.
85%Wingspan
+ Calming + Smoothly designed + Unique within the genre + Perfectly suited art and sound direction - Confusing tutorial (Reviewed on PC, also available on Nintendo Switch)
90%