Wanderstop

I enjoyed Wanderstop overall, but would like to warn those who are expecting a Stanley Parable-style commentary on video games. Whilst there is some funny commentary early on, ultimately there is much greater emphasis on therapy and emotional healing, which I found a bit grating and at odds with the style of humour. The impact of the message will depend very much on the player, of course. That said, I enjoyed many aspects of the game. The plants are very pretty; discovering all the hybrids is satisfying; operating the tea machine is fun; Boro is SUCH a dear. I also loved being rude to the annoying customers (which I'm sure were deliberately written that way). The gameplay is relaxing and perfect for a chill holiday. There was clearly a lot of love and talent poured into Wanderstop and it deserves a good review. But if you're expecting something irreverent and subversive, you might be disappointed.

I'll start of with the admission that it isn't a perfect game. It is dialogue-heavy, and there is an impermanence to your accomplishments, and it's quite simple gameplay-wise. But that's the point. As someone who has suffered from debilitating burnout and also has recently been diagnosed with an incurable chronic illness, this game hit me HARD. I have been where Alta is. Some of the interactions she has about herself are almost word for word conversations I have had with people in my life. Because of that, the narrative of this story stuck with me. It's hard dealing with change. It's hard slowing down and going with the flow and not having a concrete objective. Therein is the lesson. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has been through burnout, chronic illness, or depression.

It's been a long, long time since I last finished a game and the credits played, when the music complemented the journey, and I could just sit through the entire thing, watching it all come back with what I did, and being filled with sorrow over the fact that it was over and wish that it would keep going on. My initial interest in the game was the fact that it was cute, I felt I would enjoy relaxing in the game and pass the time. I never expected that with each chapter that passed, I would relate more and more to the story provided, and learn that soon it would be over. The time spent with the characters, including your own, grows your attachment, yet quickly learn that you need to cherish the time with them too, for soon, you will only have the memories of your last conversation before realizing you never got to say goodbye, save for those who came with you on that journey, every step of the way, and those you finally realized that you were so fond of, that you couldn't help but say goodbye after every conversation, knowing it just might well be your last. Wanderstop changed me in my present self unlike any other game has before, stirred my thinking, and gave realization, insight, and questions into what I have done, what I was doing, and what I was going to do, so much so that I couldn't help but immediately type all my feelings about it elsewhere before they drifted away. "I've done constant thinking over time, about what I wanted to do and why I wanted to do it, so much so that I burned out, and it hurt just to think about it every time I tried, because I had to, but then that changed, my view shifted and something new came along. What if I didn't become anything special? What if I went after a simpler life, a calmer one. A life where I'm not doing these big things, and for once I'm just simply existing, even if just for a moment. Something like opening my own tea and book shop just outside of the city, providing a space for everyone to retreat to. 'Sound familiar?' They don't need to worry about their problems; they, too, can sit down, have a soothing drink, and just... exist... Maybe even experience bliss in the lack of a greater purpose, even if just for a few moments... Any moment of downtime doesn't have to be immediately filled with a task; you aren't failing by doing nothing. Then maybe I can find someone who would like to share that simplicity with me as well. Tell me, do you think I could do it? Do you think I can live a life as simple as that? Achieve such a thing? And then exist in peace without anything more? Just being?" I hope I can achieve that one day, even if it isn't my first overall goal. Wanderstop may not be one of my most played games, or far up there on general hours, but it will be a game I constantly revisit when I just need to exist without purpose. A place to go and enjoy the music and design. It's something I don't think I will ever forget, as long as I live. Thank you Wanderstop, thank you Ivy Road, and thank you C418. 'Farewell...'

I hated farming games. I did, they are never as relaxing as people lead you to believe, and certainly the opposite once you get into the rhythm of it. But then I played Wanderstop, and it brought some revelations. I still hate farming games, they are still stressful, and I feel I can't ever relax playing them, but the story of this game gave me the insight into *why*. It's audacious to make a "cozy farming" game with the target audience being those that hate said genre. I still don't like farming games, nothing feels cozy, but by the end, I felt that maybe it ain't so bad to play at a slower pace. I still don't like farming games, I'm bad at them, but Wanderstop isn't so bad, and maybe I'm not so bad either.

This game is a therapeutic journey; It's a poetic, therapy session. The writing is impeccable, honestly. I've never read anything that is so strangely subtle yet detailed, at the same time. You'd think it wouldn't make sense, but it entirely does- even a little too well. I don't know how else to describe it, but i can fully understand every little thought and feeling off these characters, dude. And on a different note: I'm able to relate to Alta, even if it's not in the same scenario or situation. Human feelings and circumstances are oh-so relatable. This has been a trip, but it was a much needed one, as I've been going thru a rough time of my life when I got this game and dived into it. And that honestly couldn't have been better timed. Also, I love Boro with all my heart, and I aim to be like him: he's just an amazing guy. Boro is my new role-model. I really wish I had my own Boro in my real life, but this is as close as I can get so I'll take it. Bottom line: amazing game, and I'm definitely coming back to Boro when life gets hard so this man can give me his wonderful, collective wisdom and tea. 10/10, I will come back to therapy when I need it, thank you.

This game was sometimes janky, slightly buggy and the ending was a bit abrupt. But I love it. As someone that suffered from Burn-out in the past (and was close multiple times) the story way extremely relatable. I've seen me so many times in Alta. And Boro is such a lovable character. I finished it in about 13 hours but I took the time to do nothing multiple times. As the game encourages you to. I guess you can finish it in under 10 if you want. And because Wanderstop isn't just a game about Burn-out but much more important about tea and calm, I will celebrate this completion with my new tea cup I got from my wife for our twelveth anniversary. I drink much more tea since I started to play Wanderstop, and I guess this part of the game will follow me for the rest of my life. 💚

Everyone is on their own journey and when we interact with others we only get a brief glimpse into that. I appreciate this game's dedication to this concept.