Wander Stars
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Wander Stars Media
WANDER STARS PS5 & XBOX TRAILER!
Wander Stars - Official Release Date Announcement Trailer
Wander Stars - Official Release Date Announcement Trailer
Critic Reviews for Wander Stars
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
