Wandersong (2018)

The gameplay is a fun mix of platformer, RPG and an interesting Simon Says/World Manipulation mechanic for the bard's singing. The RPG element is very straightforward, but you get as much out of the story and the characters as you put into it. The platforming is fun - mixed with the singing mechanic it makes for interesting levels as you progress through the story.

The story could not be more wholesome. Truly the little bard you play goes on quite the adventure. There's character development, and a good level of depth to the story. The dialogue is quite witty and a little cheeky, very enjoyable to read. Reaching the end of the game I felt very satisfied.

If there were a DLC that added additional post-story mini quests, I would jump on it in a heartbeat. If you want interesting mechanics with a story that just warms the soul, as well as interesting art and graphics, this game is the full package. Strongly recommend!

Oh man, where do I even begin with this game? It's your classic tale of hero saving the world but as it turns out.... You're not the hero!

This game is so wonderfully positive in its message and gameplay that, from the very first moment I picked it up, I wanted to be someone like the Bard. The amount of love this game radiates is inspiring and still has an effect on my daily thinking. The characters are all incredibly lovable, and as you go further into the story on your journey with Miriam, the story becomes a gift that keeps on giving.

Honestly, the first few acts are somewhat slower and harder to get through if you have a short attention span or just aren't a fan of slow games. However, the beautiful music and art keeps you hooked even in moments that aren't incredibly busy. A lot of this game's dialogue and existential conversation left me close to tears and with a full heart. The soundtrack is, in my opinion, the biggest highlight of the game. It has such a variety of music that makes each scene more whole, it's near impossible to dislike it.

Gameplay-wise, it's very fun participating in different songs and "battles" with your voice! It has really simple mechanics, but each act twists things up in its own fun way that keeps you interested in what's to come next. It took about 15 hours for me to complete this game, and I completed all trophies in my first playthrough without even attempting if you're interested in that.

I highly recommend playing this game for yourself. It's a really great experience and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I thought I had this game figured out by the end of its first act: Do some light platforming, solve puzzles involving note and color matching, uncover the mystery of a not particularly threatening local haunting through dialog. But the further I progressed, the more its scope expanded, and the more charmed I became.

At different moments I was reminded of Tearaway, Super Paper Mario, Earthbound, Severed, Night in the Woods and Stick It to the Man!, but Wandersong has its own uniquely sincere and welcoming vibe. A moving and memorable experience!

My daughter and son loved watching me play through this. I had to censor a few words here and there as I read the story to them, but otherwise it seemed fine for children. Fortunately though it was also a very interesting and touching story for adults too.

I was worried at first that Wandersong was going to be a little too childish and a walking simulator that was empty calories. I do think it take a little bit to get the ball rolling and be invested in the characters. Sometimes throughout the game I felt like the dialog was running a bit long and certain puzzles or fetch quests were just artificially extending the game length without adding anything. But there are definitely some great puzzles and platforming sections that are deceptively good despite the minimalistic presentation.

I don't plan on spoiling the ending here, but you might want to stop reading if you don't want any expectation spoilers...

The ending of the game really just blew me away and elevated it from an Ok game to a good one. I'm a sucker for huge musical climaxes that bring tears to your eyes. The soundtrack is really well done and deserves to be recognized.

You are a simple bard with a passion for singing. Wandersong takes you along on an adventure that could decide the fate of the universe, involving witches, pirates, spirits and imaginary civilizations to name a few. I enjoy the premise being executed here, showing that you as a main character can't wield a weapon, have an innocent world view and not even deemed as a hero destined for a cause. You only have your singing voice, found items to help solve problems and companions that appear along your epic journey.

And boy, do they merge the singing mechanics with the audio department nicely! There are plenty of variations to use your tonal pallettes without it feeling like a drag. I can recommend playing it with a controller, although it might take time getting used to the thumbstick accuracy required to solve tasks.

This indie game is overall warmly recommended due to the charming, memorable characters and innovative gameplay mechanics. Fans of musicals and action adventure would do themselves a favor checing it out.

Wandersong starts off with a simple, laid back game with matching tunes and peacefully resolving people's problems but becomes a legitimately engaging game with a wonderfully compelling story.

The main character of this game is a bard, armed with nothing but the power of a full scale of notes to sing at any point in time (usually with an analog stick). Most of the time the player will be matching notes in tune to something like ghosts or channeling a message to one's people, but it's a forgiving system that allows some fun experimenting by making up songs for events and other such activities. Along with this singing along are various temples/areas where song will activate puzzles like time-controlling spheres, amorphous platforms, and other tricky bits.

The story is a real heart-warming one. The bard is on a quest to save the universe from its fated destruction by finding out how to sing a song to keep the earth together. You'll be moving from town to town, helping people out and finding the song of their guardian, the Overseer. All the characters, from pirates to factory workers in revolt to monks to a live band are all here with their own personalities, fun quirks, and all have something to offer to the bard's quest. The tone isn't afraid to get quite perilous but is overall a heartwarming tale.

The looks and music are genuinely charming. The papercraft aesthetic is simple but very colorful, and the bard's notes are each connected to a vibrant color that makes their way into the scene, even creatively so if the player wishes it. The music has some decent ambiance but also has plenty of tunes that match the player's own.

Wandersong is a meaty tale but doesn't overstay its welcome, pulling the player into touching an entire world's hearts and minds and keeping the planet together with the power of song. It's a feel-good game of the year for sure.

Wow, this game is something else. I can't remember the last time a game's ending made me feel so emotional, and I definitely had my doubts when I first started playing. It's one of those gems that is not what it appears to be on the surface. Yes it's cute and wholesome, but it successfully explores themes that you wouldn't expect, like loss, love, music, friendship etc. If you play this, do yourself a favour and use headphones. Sound is a HUGE factor and you definitely won't get the full experience without it. Without further ado, here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• gorgeous music
• surprisingly funny dialogue
• unique gameplay
• creative and cute
• long story
• heartwarming messages

Cons:

• occasional grammar errors
• sometimes frustrating puzzles

Buy this game and experience something magical!

Hard to communicate why this is so great. It would spoil the joys of discovery (emotionally and narratively) so I will try to be vague.

The connections the story makes, the optimism, the critique of consumption, the lifting of empathy, the music, the visuals, the lack of shame/self-awareness, the casual representation of various colours/genders/sexualities, the colourful cast of characters, the connections the characters make, etc, etc, etc...

I could see a comparison to make with NIGHT IN THE WOODS but this is much more dependant on platforming and puzzle solving than that one was. This one is much more "video game-y". Also, there is hopelessness to that story that this does not share. I love that game but this one I ADORE!

Anyone with PS4, PC, or Switch I would implore them to play this!

Here's my review of this adorable indie game: gamerfocus.co/juegos/wandersong-resena/

Can't read spanish? this is the tl;dr version:

Yes, looks like the art project of a six years old child. The mechanics and puzzles are not complicated either. It's fun to play, but is not a challenge.

Where this game shines is in it's script and dialogues. It's not a simple 'save the world' story. Our character is not the hero. When we talk to other characters (something that's mostly optional) we reveal funny moments or very deep and thoughtful reflections on the nature of optimism, solitude, self-worth, identity and even what means 'being good".

A lot of people will ignore this because the art style or simplistic mechanics. Their loss.