Wanderstop

"A fascinating cosy experiment, packed with memorable characters and sharp writing, but which occasionally stumbles in the execution."

"Wanderstop is more a visual novel that uses making tea as a narrative break versus a shop management game."

"Ivy Road has created a fantastic amalgamation of genres in a cozy game that teaches you how to sit back and relax. With an intriguing tale of self-reflection mixed with calming music and colourful landscapes, this is nothing short of …"

"Wanderstop often feels like a diversion from any traditional standards a player may expect from a game, even one so cozy or hinting at purported narrative subterfuge. But in abandoning expectations, it truly thrives."

"Ivy Road&s;s new cozy game Wanderstop offers satisfying and simple gameplay while giving players ample time to rest and contemplate."

"Wanderstop remains incredibly sincere and thoughtful with its biting story cooked up by Ivy Road without being overly sentimental or too delicate. Not afraid to show its teeth (including occasional gameplay obstacles), within is a stellar story about learning self-care …"

"Warm-hearted, funny, and never less than sincere, Wanderstop is a pleasant place to while away the time, though less successful as a vehicle for mindfulness in itself."

"A satisfying farming and tea-shop sim inside a well-written adventure with meaningful themes."

"Wanderstop is beautiful, difficult, easy-going and complicated. It&s;s a showcase for what games are capable of on an emotional level, and a heartfelt indie ode to finding yourself when everything looks lost."

"Whereas it is a worthy experiment and a cozy game deserving of a recommendation, Wanderstop ultimately struggles to live up to its creators&s; illustrious reputations."

"Wanderstop is a fascinating exploration of letting go: if many games are exercises in overstimulation that play like Red Bull being poured down your gullet, then this one is more akin to having a calming sip of tea."

"Wanderstop offers a relaxing yet repetitive experience, where tea preparation becomes a metaphor for inner discovery. With well-written characters and enchanting atmosphere, the game stands out for its originality despite a slow pace that might not appeal to everyone."

"In its own way, Wanderstop is the perfect mission statement for a bright-eyed studio starting its path to self-discovery. It is a sincere celebration of our struggles and imperfections. They are not problems to run away from, but stones to …"

"Wanderstop is a well-intentioned take on the personal weight of societal burnout and the issues typically found in the cozy genre but struggles to find much ground beyond its initial premise as surface-level commentary and frustrating, awkward gameplay spoils the …"

"It&s;s important not to let mild criticisms get in the way, as Wanderstop is a beautiful title with something to say about overwork and determination."

"Wanderstop perfectly executes its intention: to pull players away from the fast-paced nature of life and immerse them in simple, meditative tasks. Its story unfolds in a relatable way, leaving you pondering its themes long after the credits roll."

"Wanderstop sets out to deliver a relaxing narrative experience – and absolutely nails it. Needless to say, it’s the barista life for us in Wanderstop."

"Wanderstop won&s;t win any awards for its deliberately thin gameplay mechanics, but over its 10-15 hours you&s;ll be reminded how a simple act of kindness can change lives and that just slowing things down and taking time for yourself away …"

"Wanderstop is like Spiritfarer for burnout sufferers and overachievers. The central focus is meaningful and expertly executed in its own right. However, it&s;s the attention to detail in every other area that makes Wanderstop feel special, to the point where …"

"Understated, heartfelt and relaxing; Wanderstop may be a little simple for those looking for a "cosy sim". However, for those looking for thoughtful writing, a laser focus on being laid back and a demand to play it on your terms, …"

"517 / 5,000 The way Wanderstop presents the pain caused by trauma and the healing power of a gentle, relaxing environment that, despite everything, can&s;t completely cure it resonated deeply with me. This is a fantastic work that uses humor, …"

"Wanderstop does not emulate the same fourth-wall breaking revelations of developer Ivy Roads’ previous work, but what’s impressive about it all is that’s sort of what Alta’s adventure is about. I admire the game for being able to use video …"

"Wanderstop&s;s absolute-tea intriguing meta introspections add some unique flavor, but certain design &a; story fumbles leave a conflicting aftertaste."

"Wanderstop is a lesson in stopping to smell the roses and how important it is to look inwards when faced with life&s;s difficulties. Its mixture of lighthearted humour and tranquil themes will leave any player feeling more relaxed after each …"

"Wanderstop offers an original blend of management and narrative, highlighted by its artistic side, and serves to convey a lesson about the importance of taking care of our well-being. It would have been more effective without emphasizing its message so …"

""It&s;s bold in its exploration of relentless self-critique and pressure.""

"It’s imperfect although I wish there were more things to do and details to explore in this game. It’s not for everyone. If you want a fast-paced or action-packed game, you may need to look elsewhere. This game is all …"

"After all that gushing about what makes Wanderstop great, I’m now kind of lost for words. This game takes the conventions of the much-loved cozy genre and turns it into an emotional experience that touches on some very real issues."

"Wanderstop is a game about espaping the characters people project on us, finding a way out to our freedom. Freedom to be who we are, to let down expectations we never wanted. Sometimes life it&s;is only about slowing down and …"

"A fallen warrior trades in fighting for putting the kettle on, wandering round gardens and watering plants. Much more than cosy – it&s;s healing"

"Far from just another “cozy” game, Wanderstop invites you into a colorful world filled with quirky characters and bizarrely flavored tea at the price of some uncomfortably insightful introspection."

"While its gameplay is sometimes a bit too involved relative to its themes and narrative, Wanderstop is a wonderful experience that overcomes that flaw through its touching cast, fantastic writing, and engaging mechanics that are all set within an incredibly …"

"It&s;s a clever mix of genre and story, because it provides a cosy space to immerse yourself in while also highlighting the reasons why people play things like this in the first place — to unwind, to take a break …"

"Funny and enjoyable as Wanderstop may be, it suffers from its inability to juxtapose Alta’s healing process with any of the hardship that made healing so necessary in the first place."

"Wanderstop balances the discomfort brought on by seeing a game strike so true at the heart of burnout with being an absolute pleasure to play, full of delightful secrets and a healthy helping of whimsy. I’m awed at how well …"

"There are a few blemishes that could be buffed out, but the blend that Ivy Road has brewed for us here is well worth savoring."