Wandersong
Main game
3.88 average rating based on 186 ratings
- Developers
- Wishes Ultd.
- Publishers
- Humble Games, Wishes Ultd.
- Platforms
- Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genres
- Adventure, Indie, Music, Platform
- Themes
- Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Steam
- View on Steam
Release Dates
User Stats
How Long Is Wandersong?
Wanderful... I mean, WONDERFUL!
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!
ATadMad's review of Wandersong
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!
❤🌙💧💨⭐☀🔺🌧
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version
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!
Being a bard on an adventure may not be so bad after all!
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.
This game is an incredible experience.
I received it as part of a Humble Monthly subscription and waited a bit to play it, but I'm so damn glad I took the time to play through such a wonderful gem. It's similar to the game Hue in that it boasts gorgeous color styles, but both the gameplay and writing are far superior to any game I've played in this genre. Quite simply, the game has heart while also being extremely fun and engaging to play. Seriously, I can't recommend this game enough!
A beautiful blend of sweet and cheek - truly wholesome
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!
Played through with my children, thumbs up all around!
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 …
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.
Wandersong: Sing-Along Story
This review is for the PlayStation 4 version
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 …
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.
giopep's review of Wandersong
This is really a lovely game. I'm not sure there's much more I could say about it.
isabelp_97's review of Wandersong
This review is for the Nintendo Switch version
I so badly wanted to love this game. What did work for me was the overall story being told. I was extremely interested and invested in the main character journeying to save the world. I also really liked the base platforming. The running and jumping felt so nice. Unfortunately, most of the rest was not my favorite. Every stage of each chapter felt like it went on for way too long to me. I found myself wishing I could just get to the next stage and progress the story faster. Even the side characters were a little bit tedious and not something I cared to explore more (I only really liked Miriam). The color wheel/music mechanic was also frustrating for me at times and I found it a bit awkward to operate. But I think the relationship between the main character and Miriam was wholesome and sweet and the overarching story was wrapped up and concluded in a very satisfactory way. So, while this game wasn't fully for me, I do recognize that it does a lot of things really well and I understand why others might enjoy this more than I did.
I was on the brink of dropping it...
The game is cute, and has a strong message and I liked it a lot. But it's too FRIGGING long. It's beyond redundand, especially in the last 3 acts. This almost ruined the game for me, it should've lasted 5/6 hours to be near perfect.
Sing your Heart Out
Indie games have a reputation of covering more personal & serious themes than most big budget games are willing to and this is certainly true of Wandersong. What appears to be an overwhelmingly saccharine game based on the visuals & premise actually tells a pretty nuanced story about how people deal with optimism and pessimism. The story was my favorite thing about the game, but it’s also worth mentioning that the game does a fantastic job at keeping the same singing mechanic fresh for the ~10 hours it takes to reach the end. In one area you may use the analog stick & song to shape platforms out of fines, while another might have you using the same analog stick & song mechanic to fend off attacking crows. That the same 2-button interaction can remain fresh and interesting for the entire game is really impressive.
DNF What this game has to say is important and I like it a lot to some extent but it's just getting boring for me.
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 …
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.
Went back and finished this after bouncing off it 8 months ago. It is such a nice game. The Bard is so endlessly good and optimistic. Him and Miriam are two of my favourite characters I have ever encountered in a game. All the dialogue is funny and clever. I found myself talking to every npc until all their dialogue options had been exhausted. At times it felt a little bloated, yet somehow the ending made all the time spent feel worthwhile. You meet and help so many endearing characters. What an adventure!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/greglobanov/chicory-a-colorful-tale?ref=dw8z8j&token=9095ea91
Kickstarter for the Wandersong/Night In The Woods devs' next game with a soundtrack by the Celeste composer!
Wandersong is hands down one of the most visually striking and creative games I've EVER managed to get my grubby little mitts on, much thanks to Alphadoriest! It's cute, it's charming, it's got a striking visual style, the entire concept is so original and well done and the gameplay itself is smooth as butter. I understand the hefty price tag now. This thing is a CHAMP.
This game continues to surprise me. It is clearly heavily influenced by shows like Adventure Time and Over The Garden Wall, and manages to capture what makes them special. It appears simplistic at first, but all the characters are lovingly written and feel human and relatable. It is longer than I expected, and can feel a little bloated at times, but I know I will regret saying that when I no longer have a reason to spend time in this world. I kind of adore The Bard, and there isn't a single NPC I haven't enjoyed interacting with.
Dipped into this for maybe 30 minutes. It seems utterly delightful.
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.
There are few things as beautiful as the friendship of Miriam with the bard in this game.