Wander Stars Reviews
Wander Stars is a little surprise. I really liked the idea of "do-it-yourself" moves, as well as the desire to draw inspiration from classic '90s shonen games for the graphics. Sure, the story is intentionally more linear and action-oriented than deep exploration, and the lack of voice acting can be felt. The true heart of the experience remains the innovative, turn-based, word-based combat system. The mechanic of combining words to build and launch custom attacks is a brilliant idea. Likewise, the fact that you gain honor by not knocking out your opponent fits well with the universe and philosophy behind Wander Stars.
Review in Italian | Read full review
For players who grew up loving '90s anime or those fascinated by experimental mechanics in RPGs, Wander Stars is worth experiencing. It may not fully deliver on the limitless potential of words, but when it hits, it feels as satisfying as the perfect sentence – or punch - landing exactly where it should.
Wander Stars is a truly creative turn-based title with a whole lot of heart.
Wander Stars is an incredibly cute love letter to the classic anime series. It takes the extreme style of Dragon Ball’s bombastic combat and playfully turns it into a turn-based RPG, fully embracing the camp hyper-stylised nature of its inspirations. It also tells an unexpectedly emotional tale with diversity in its cast of characters. A delightful treat for the Cheez TV kids (and the furries).
Wander Stars is a quirky RPG that uses vocabulary to fight. It's old school anime art style and soundtrack will transport you back to the 90's and will live up to the expectations of those who grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons.
At the end of an episode, you can spend Honor, effectively experience points, to permanently raise certain stats or limits, like the number of attack words you can bring into battle. A star ranking system encourages return trips to each episode, but I found that once was enough for me. Some stuttering, some janky animations, and even a softlock put a damper on my time with it, but Wander Stars is a relatively fun romp while it lasts, particularly if you're in it more for the RPG mechanics over the plot.
Wander Stars could be just another good Shounen anime. An anime with all the typical plots, memories of the protagonists' past, epic battles, and filler episodes.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Overall, Wanderstars makes using the word homage less scary because it knows what lessons to learn from the past. It recognizes what’s good about its inspirations and what to leave behind, while ensuring its unique personality shines throughout its entire runtime. At every step in the journey, I was excited to see what mess Ringo and Wolfe would find themselves in; I knew that, regardless of what was waiting for them, an adventure worthy of the works that inspired it was about to unfold.
Wander Stars mixes old-school anime humor, turn-based combat, and roguelite elements into an entertaining JRPG. The story isn’t groundbreaking, but the creative combat and tactical choices keep you engaged.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Wander Stars delivers inventive word-driven combat, heartfelt anime storytelling, and stylish presentation. Limited exploration and difficulty spikes aside, it shines as one of the most unique RPG experiences this year.
Few games commit to an idea as boldly as Wander Stars, and its anime-inspired episodic structure is a triumph in style and ambition. Yet, the weight of overlapping systems and limited difficulty options makes it harder to love than it should be. A lighter touch on restrictions or a greater spread between difficulty levels could open the door for more players to enjoy what Paper Castle Games has built. For now, it remains a dazzling but demanding journey; rewarding for some, frustrating for others.
What makes the story work is the balance between over-the-top humour and heartfelt character writing. Ringo’s energy sets the tone, but she’s never just comic relief. She grows, she struggles, and she learns what it means to fight with honour. The Peace mechanic underlines this beautifully—you can choose not to finish off weakened enemies, instead flashing a peace sign and earning their respect. It’s a mechanic that fits the story’s ethos and gives weight to Ringo’s journey.
Classic anime fans and roguelike survivors who want something different are going to discover Wander Stars as a fantastic expedition. The story goes in amazing directions, the engagement of crafting the best “deck” never gets old, and, when it’s running well, it’s a smooth and enjoyable expedition.