FabianBlahaMT Wanderstop Review

Did I enjoy my time with Wanderstop? Yes. Most definitely. Yet, did I truly enjoy Wanderstop? Maybe. Perhaps that isn't so simple to answer. Wanderstop is, and is not, a cozy game. You will, at times, brew tea, tend to your humble shop, and nurture your garden. Here, in this peculiar yet magical grove hidden amidst an unfamiliar forest. But perhaps that isn't really why you've arrived. You've come here to understand why you're here and, perhaps more importantly, why you aren't where you tell yourself you wish to be. It confused me at first as well. Perhaps even frustrated me. But then I met customers. Each one brought their own stories, their own truths. Often, they made me ponder. To pause a moment and reflect. Beautifully layered, yet always elusive, slipping away before I could fully grasp them. I never truly helped them, despite my instincts. But maybe that was never the point. Before I realized it, I understood myself better. And those I had hoped to fix had already continued their own journeys. Another cycle began, and inevitably, another cycle ended. Within these cycles, you discover your customers' desires for tea. Occasionally, you consult with your new acquaintance, Boro, learning to nurture your tea shop. The systems at play are intuitive, delightful, and simple. Yet beneath that gentle simplicity lies enough complexity to keep you engaged. Each cycle brings just enough complexity—not overwhelming, but gently engaging. The visuals of the tea shop and the grove it inhabits are truly delightful. Softly shaded and wonderfully colored, inviting gentle exploration. The accompanying music and sound design form their own kind of art, resonating deeply with me. As for the stories themselves, they remain open to interpretation. As they should be. Yet, I must admit, for me, the interpretation felt a bit familiar. Powerful, yes…but I've been here before, long ago. But perhaps that is exactly right. After all, In the end, it was Boro I resonated with most. Curious, isn’t it? Yes, perhaps we are quite similar indeed...he and I.