Our Wonderland

I can’t recommend this game enough. I went into it a little bit hesitant, as most people do with free games, and was surprised beyond all comprehension. I had never seen the original release on itch and never visit there much. But don’t think this is just a port of a popular itch game; I would have believed a small indie team made this. The art in this game is phenomenal, but I don’t think it even compares to the writing. You could turn on the voice-to-text for this game and turn off your monitor, and still be able to envision what’s on the screen. Each character is fleshed out to a T; I feel for each one, and my emotions mirror how the main character is feeling. And even if you’re not a big fan of gore or anything of the sort, there’s a feature to blur it! I played with it off and was definitely surprised by some of the scenes, but don’t turn away from the emotional journey the story will bring you on.

Developed by Carrot and published by Project Ensō, Our Wonderland is a free-to-play visual novel that blends psychological horror, dark fantasy, romance, and mystery into a deeply character-driven experience. Rather than emphasizing traditional gameplay mechanics, it focuses on interactive storytelling where dialogue choices and branching paths shape the journey. The story follows a group of estranged childhood friends who are unexpectedly reunited after being pulled back into the mysterious Wonderland they once visited as children. What was once remembered as a place of dreams has become a haunting realm filled with danger, forcing each character to confront buried memories, fractured relationships, and painful truths that refuse to stay hidden. One of the game's strongest qualities is its dedication to character development. Every member of the cast carries emotional baggage that influences both the narrative and the choices players must make. As the group navigates Wonderland's increasingly disturbing environments, friendships are tested, trust becomes fragile, and long-forgotten secrets gradually surface. The supernatural setting serves as more than just an eerie backdrop, acting as a reflection of each character's inner fears and regrets. This gives the story a strong psychological dimension, making every revelation feel meaningful rather than existing solely to surprise the player. The blend of horror and emotional drama creates an engaging narrative where the greatest threats are often the characters' own unresolved emotions. The visual presentation complements the story remarkably well. The anime-inspired artwork captures both the whimsical beauty and terrifying nature of Wonderland, creating an atmosphere that constantly shifts between comforting fantasy and unsettling horror. Bright, colorful environments can quickly transform into grotesque nightmares, reinforcing the unpredictable tone of the adventure. Character illustrations effectively communicate a wide range of emotions, allowing dramatic conversations and horrifying moments to carry significant impact. Combined with an atmospheric soundtrack that heightens feelings of tension, loneliness, and suspense, the audiovisual design helps immerse players in a world where danger feels ever-present despite its fairy tale appearance. Player choice plays a significant role throughout the experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs to uncover different outcomes and story branches. Conversations, relationships, and major narrative events can change depending on the decisions made, rewarding players who enjoy exploring alternate possibilities. While the gameplay itself remains relatively simple in keeping with the visual novel format, the branching narrative provides meaningful engagement by allowing players to influence the fate of the characters. The inclusion of romantic elements alongside horror and mystery also gives the story greater emotional variety, ensuring that moments of warmth and vulnerability balance the darker aspects of the plot without diminishing their impact. The mature themes are handled with a clear purpose, featuring violence, disturbing imagery, gore, emotional trauma, and sexual content that reinforce the narrative's darker atmosphere. These elements are not presented merely for shock value but instead support the psychological and emotional struggles experienced by the cast. Players who appreciate narrative-heavy experiences with complex interpersonal relationships, LGBTQ+ representation, and thought-provoking themes will likely find plenty to enjoy. However, those looking for action-oriented gameplay or puzzle-heavy progression should understand that the experience revolves almost entirely around reading, exploration of dialogue, and narrative choices. Overall, Our Wonderland stands out as an ambitious visual novel that successfully combines psychological horror with heartfelt character drama. Its compelling premise, emotionally layered cast, memorable fantasy setting, and meaningful branching paths create an experience that prioritizes storytelling above all else. By weaving romance, mystery, horror, and personal growth into a cohesive narrative, it offers a journey that remains engaging from beginning to end. For fans of story-focused visual novels that explore both the beauty and darkness of human relationships, this is an easy recommendation. Rating: 8/10

I originally played Our Wonderland when it was out on Itch.io and oh my gosh this remastered version is NOTHING like the old one, the story is more captivating due to the upgrading cutscenes and icons and the character bios are an amazing way to learn about each character a little before stepping into this twisted fun! I def recommend playing this game !! (especially at 3am and the lights are off.....I totally don't come from experience..)

Hi! I recommend this game deeply. I am keeping this short because i desperately want to play the remaster! But I played this game on itch.io and have been following the updates from the shadows! The game on itch.io is like a hidden gem! I cannot wait to see what the remaster has to offer!

I only got through arc one by time this review comes out but... This is legit one of the best visual novel games I have ever played! All of these characters are so good and I actually feel how awful things actually are. 9/10 game.

BEST GAME I'VE EVER PLAYED please if you want a fun story driven game this games too good too pass up!

Para ser un juego gratis está genial y dura bastante (tengo más de 20 horas sumando la demo). Tiene un montón de arte (CGs, sprites, fondos, etc) para estar hecho por una sola persona. La trama es interesante y los personajes tienen mucho carisma, les acabas cogiendo cariño de una u otra forma a todos. Para finalizar: Amo a Orlam y necesito más de él.