Wanderstop: A Charming yet Thoughtful Take on Burnout and Rest
Wanderstop is a game that, at first glance, appears to be a laid-back, almost whimsical experience centered around harvesting and crafting tea. Yet, beneath its cozy surface lies a deeper exploration of themes like fatigue, burnout, and the mental toll of relentless work. Developed by the new studio Ivy Road, Wanderstop seems to carve out its own niche in the cozy genre, which has gained immense popularity, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, with games like Animal Crossing offering refuge from the stresses of reality. However, Wanderstop isn’t just about tending to a garden or running a charming tea café; it’s a narrative that delves into the emotional and psychological struggles of its characters, urging players to reflect on the consequences of overexertion.
The Journey of Alta: From Warrior to Tea Shop Owner
At the heart of Wanderstop is Alta, a former elite warrior who has lost her drive after years of pushing herself to extremes. Exhausted and emotionally drained, she collapses in the forest, unable to even lift her massive sword anymore. In an attempt to clear her mind and recover, Alta takes up managing a remote tea café, where she learns to create elaborate tea blends using an eccentric tea machine reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s fantastical inventions. The process is meticulous—climbing a wooden ladder to release water, stoking a fire with a bellows, and kicking open a giant kettle to add tea and magical ingredients. Yet, despite the serene setting, Alta’s strict, militaristic mindset lingers, clashing with the game’s relaxed, untimed objectives. Her journey is one of recovery, but it’s also a cautionary tale for anyone who’s toiled too hard for too long.
Exploring the Quirks of Wanderstop’s World
The world of Wanderstop is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. The game’s art style is a delight, with lush, smudgy gardens, collectible tea plants, and even a small temple featuring a soothing, oval-headed being. The color palette shifts from calming purples and greens to vibrant pinks and whites, creating an environment that invites players to sit back, relax, and enjoy the gentle ambiance. The setting is further brought to life by the game’s quirky inhabitants, such as the portly, bald-headed tea master Boro, who offers Yoda-like wisdom laced with a sharp tongue, and a goofy knight suffering from a cursed foot that emits purple mist. These characters, while eccentric, add depth to the narrative, though their development often feels scattered and uneven.
Burnout and Self-Discovery: The Game’s Central Themes
Wanderstop’s themes of burnout and self-discovery are deeply personal, not just for Alta but also for the game’s director, Davey Wreden, who drew inspiration from his own experiences of overworking on The Stanley Parable. Alta’s struggles are universal—she grapples with guilt, feelings of failure, and a deep-seated desire to prove herself, both as a warrior and as a daughter. Her journey is meant to inspire reflection: is the daily grind worth the harm it inflicts on the psyche? The game’s pacing, however, sometimes undermines its thoughtful messaging. Moments of revelation are too few and far between, leaving players yearning for more emotional depth. A compelling subplot involving the goofy knight, who seeks to earn his son’s respect, arrives too late in the game, feeling like a missed opportunity for earlier connection.
A Mixed Bag of Humor and Tone
The game’s humor, reminiscent of The Stanley Parable’s dry wit, is both a strength and a weakness. While it works brilliantly in the sterile office setting of its predecessor, it often clashes with Wanderstop’s idyllic, magical world. The wry, eccentric humor feels out of place amidst the breezy, bucolic environments and whimsical tea-making mechanics. Additionally, the gameplay itself can be jarring at times. For instance, the frenetic customer demands, marked by exclamation points hovering over their heads, disrupt the otherwise peaceful experience. The contradiction between Alta’s physical and mental exhaustion and her ability to perform 갠 tasks with caffeinated speed is jarring, pulling players out of the game’s otherwise immersive world.
Conclusion: A Promising but Flawed Experience
Wanderstop is a game that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering a thought-provoking exploration of burnout and the importance of rest. Its charming art style and creative tea-making mechanics are undeniably engaging, and its quirky characters have moments of brilliance. However, the game struggles with pacing and tone, often failing to fully realize the depth of its themes. By the time the narrative begins to open up and its characters reveal their complexities, it’s almost too late to fully invest. Wanderstop’s message about working at one’s own pace is timely and meaningful, but the execution falters, leaving players feeling more like a therapist than a participant in Alta’s journey. Despite its flaws, Wanderstop is a promising debut from Ivy Road, one that hints at great potential for future projects. It’s a game worth experiencing, especially for those who appreciate games that balance whimsy with introspection. Wanderstop is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
