Wandersong

pirated this game but its good so I bought it

honestly just a masterpiece

While there were some moments where the platforming was a bit jank, the story, music, and characters (especially the characters) all easily make up for that
Very great game, 9.9/10

This game is full of heart, which shows in all aspects of play. The story is beautiful, inspiring hope and unabashed, persevering optimism even as the world around the protagonist grows increasingly crueler. It's just as topical today as when it came out, and reached me at a time when I needed that unflinching kindness so often only found in storybooks. Though getting used to the novel controls for this game can be difficult (I found remapping keys to be a MASSIVE QOL upgrade), the ability to join and lead the world in music is a magically immersive feeling that I'll remember for a long time.

Wandersong is a charming game that integrates a musical wheel with world mechanics and often platforming. The story is integrated with gaming mechanics and interesting characters that I really fell into the plot. Your main character is not a blank slate and I think that it made investing in others easier for me to want to do because it felt easy to know that is what the Bard would do.

-Mechanics-

I would say that even someone who is the worst at platformers could get through the game, nothing was too hard or pixel perfect. I personally got stuck on a certain jump in the snow/wind area that my friend breezed through twice over so I think I may have just had an issue with my controller or something.

I kept expecting each new mechanic to be integrated with the rest of the game and kept saying to myself 'surely this is the last thing I could learn' and kept getting surprised at how many ways a note wheel could be used to affect the environment. Each mechanic is, in fact, usually left in the area where you learned it which does a really impressive job of creating culture and distinction while travelling the world.

-Story-

I left some things out of the mechanics section that I felt like were so integral to cementing the way the story is told and I will provide them here.

Non Spoilers:

This is a game about people who are trying to do everything at the end of the world, but realize that they are not powerful enough to stop it alone.

Spoilers:

You are not the Hero. I love this so much. Honestly, even though this game came out in 2018 I feel like the theme that I got from it was super poignant to the issues I am confronting myself. So many stories tell about a hero who is able to fix everything because there is already something special about them. The weakness to those stories is that the application and direction for movement learned are relative to how capable the audience is of recreating a hero's power. I have personally been struggling with what do you do when you learn that you are powerless to change a system by yourself? This game offers a perspective on capability, hero-ship, destiny, and unity that I think are very hopeful for people who are struggling with similar issues to me.
While the bard's singing ability is perhaps uniquely beautiful in this world, the game makes sure the audience recognizes that this is not supposed to be a naturally world-changing talent. The best way the game does this is through the integrated mechanic of achievement. Every achievement you get, you get for something Aubrey does, and every time it is a subtle reminder that in terms of power and importance, your skills are not prized in this world. When the bard succeeds at the end of the game, it felt like an accomplishment not based in natural gifts.

I also appreciate that while this is a happy story, the characters experience real emotions through it, and that there are enough sobering elements to keep me grounded. I think this effect just made the positivity in the game more impactful. At the end of the game, the overseers are still dead, there are just new ones, and Aubrey does not change as a person and make any contributions to the Bard's success. The Bard is not a constantly happy person and seeing someone choose to look on the bright side and move through tough feelings is another spark of reality.

Miriam is just a treasure. I do not relate to the bard, I find that I am more often likely to act like Miriam than the Bard and I love seeing her figure out how to grow and be helpful throughout the story. I also appreciate that there are enough elements in the story for her friendship with the Bard at the end of the story to be satisfyingly set up for someone who thinks they will become a romantic couple or for those who think they are meant to be friends.


This is one of those games where it is easy for me to know whether or not I would recommend it because even while I was playing I knew people who I would definitely recommend it to and I have since watched those people play and love the game themselves.

one in a million

This game is so good. Every aspect of it. I am struggling putting it all into words. I cried many times throughout the story. I cannot recommend this game enough. Its amazing.

10/10

This game's characters, story, art style are all very adorable. Characters charming and varied. Finale is extremely satisfying. Some parts hit me emotionally and some parts were plain funny. Great from start to finish. Although you might need a controller to enjoy the singing mechanic. Looks a bit clunky on M&K.

Do not play if you don't plan on reading the speech bubbles. They are the game (along with the singing).

Nearly a flawless game. Story, gameplay, music, all some of the best I've seen in a game. Minor complaint is the game being a bit buggy, but that is far overtaken by how good the game is. Not going to spoil it, just play it.

mouth noises

An upbeat, lighthearted game about a happy-go-lucky bard on a quest to save the world from being reset by the creator goddess once it ran its course. On the journey, he has to contend with the corrupted spirit kings, lots of puzzles and platforming, crippling depression, and the actual Hero, all of it wrapped up in a whimsical art-style, musical themes, and existential musings about self-worth, the meaning of life, and everything.

The gameplay is generally great, with some persistent control issues (namely, the sticky platforms around the two-thirds point in the game were a pain because pressing up on the stick makes the bard jump, which automatically detaches him from the platforms and has him fall off), but nothing game-breaking, and it's overally a fun, if occasionally navel-gazing experience.

The art is adorable, the music is wonderful, and the storyline is humorous, impeccable, and stridently hopeful whilst facing the end of the world. A beautiful pick-me-up. (My favorite part is the interactive element of the music!)

Lovely game :)

i cant really describe in words how amazing this game is. i was in such a mental slump but somehow playing this just breathed the life the joy the appreciation for the little things right back into me.

i never understood why people would want to buy game soundtracks on records and stuff but now i do
truely a fantastic game!

very cute

Please try it. 2nd playthrough after a few years, and I appreciate it a lot more now than I did back then.
Definitely one of my favourites of all time, without a doubt.

Wholesome do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do game

Probably one of the most emotional games I have ever played, this game really inspired me to keep on going forward and achieve my goals. Would recommend to other people to play.

This game is a masterpiece treatise about the relationship between identity, hope, determination, and optimism.

Beautiful game. Captivating story, wonderful music, memorable characters. If I could go back in time to play this game sooner, I would.

I love this game, 10/10.

Great, thoughtprovoking story - don't read the reviews, just play it blind :D

What a lovely game!

I liked this one! The characters are cute, especially Miriam, and the art is simple but always purposeful and moody. My artist brain was going crazy over some of the environments, very cinematic vibe. Very even experience save for a few annoying bits towards the end, well paced and strong ending. Some clever twists in the story, but it’s got a simple heart at the end of the day and that’s perfectly fine.

Simon Says, but it's an epic adventure.
The game really don't have any difficulty to speak of, and is far longer than expected, so it may have some trouble holding your attention, but overall it's an adorable time with the world's most optimistic bard.

A very fun platformer style game, with tons of puzzles and (you guessed it) music shenanigans. Gameplay is fairly intuitive and easy to pick up, and I will say that the game has its moments with some of the puzzles being more complex as the story progresses. The story itself is a very fun spin on the Chosen One trope too, with plenty of character growth happening for both the Main cast and some of the side characters (especially if you are someone like me, as I spoke with the NPCs quite frequently).

This game taught me every problem has a solution if you obnoxiously sing at it for long enough

pls just play it you wont regret it and it has a great protaganist and game mechanics :3

Adorable and Story rich gameplay! It felt as if I was steven universe saving the world! with music!!

This is a masterpiece of a story that should be played by all. the story is one that made me tear up while playing (which isn't an easy feat) the characters feel so real and the jokes are hilarious. I hope this game gets some kind of boost in popularity it deserves

HE'S JUST SO ADORABLE. I'm going to show this to my mom.

I really wish I could be neutral on this game, or at the very least, something that has a not for me setting, but, this game really wasn't for me. I tried it, but after a bit, I just could not vibe with it. The story got a bit too bloated for me to enjoy.

This game saved me from a dark place. It's my go-to feel good game! The heartfelt music and story genuinely feels like a breath of fresh air. Words can't express how thankful I am to have stumbled across Wandersong!

This is an amazing game, it made me happy through and through.
It toke me for a wild ride of joy, laughter and music.
I love everyone in the game, the slow but steady befriending between the protagonists is just kinda heartwarming, maybe mostly to me, cause I can see myself in both of them.
In the end, you should play it, it made me happy from start to finish, I laughed at maybe a bit to many jokes, but the charme is real

this is one of my friends favorite games, if not their all time favorite, and it is for that reason i decided to finally play it. i understand why now. the story is a bit slow and silly at first, but if you care, there are moments in here that will really bowl you over. i didnt expect it to be just as good and as fun as it is.

its a lovely game, not as little as i thought it was, and a lot more meaningful. the music and the writing shine the brightest. you should try it, especially if youre a little jaded. we need stories like these the most, i think.

This game was recommended by a friend, and I've gone on to play several other titles she's suggested because this one touched me in a way I didn't expect it to. This game is the answer to "Are video games art?" The experience was ethereal in such a wholesome way, and it explores what the snowflake generation wants to be. I'm waxing poetics, game is top tier. 10/10. Buy, play, be the Bard.

This game is awesome. (Maybe make starting to sing with a controller easier though, kinda weird that there are gaps in the notes until you start playing.)

this shit mean something to me man

Beautiful, even for me, and i dont have a musical bone in my body. the gameplay is interesting, the characters are fun, the art is beautiful, and the achievement system is hilarious. great game. [played on deck]

Wandersong is a very charming game with a heavy focus on its story and dialogue, it is full of extremely charming characters and it asks you this: what if you weren't the hero? and not just that, the real hero, that everyone looks up to, is destined to end the world, but despite that, you want to save the world anyway?

My favourite genre of video games are platformers and this game is not just one of my favourite platformers but also one of my favourite games of all time ever. It has left a everlasting impression on me and if you enjoy platforming , enjoy narrative/story-based games and want to play something that makes you cry a bit by its conclusion then I cannot recommend this game enough.

(My first encounter with this game was really by chance as I only bought it because I had only R20, was bored while browsing the switch eshop and I thought it looked cute (never heard of it before then). Brought it again on steam just so I had an excuse to replay it and get 100% achievements.)

10/10

this is one of my favorite games I highly recommend it

Lovely little game with a simple but poignant story.

absolutely STUNNING game, the music is incredible, i loved the story, i would absolutely recommend this game, uhh i mean she wan on my der till i song

Genuinely my favorite game ever. Like this is actually the best game i have ever played. I love it. I strongly believe everyone should experience this at least once in their life. This game is one of the only games that can mix the steam achievements into the story in a good way, an its actually relevant to the story. This game wraps around your heart and does not leave. It has made me more emotionally invested than any other game. PLEEEEAAASEEE PLAY ITTTTT!!!!

Cute little game, works well on the deck. Love the concept and writing. I did need to fix the resolution instead of auto-detect, because at times it would randomly scale it down. But otherwise a flawless experience.

The music in this game slaps.This game feels cozy.

This game is a masterpiece! I love the story, designs and everything about it!

This game was SO GOOD!!! The way it shows a perspective normally not seen in stories (of a normal person) is so fresh, and the stress on nonviolence is unique from other games. The characters are all interesting, and I really enjoyed seeing them grow and develop over the Acts. The game actually touches on some rather deep topics, like war and how it affects innocents, but it also teaches you that everyone is special, and deserve to be cared for.The scenery is beautiful, too.
Overall, a touching and wonderfully written game.
5/5 stars

Honestly not sure if I'm going to thumbs up or thumbs down this one.
great concept, interesting artwork, charming characters and sometimes genuinely funny dialogue. Overall it's creative and interesting. And did I mention that there is a dedicated dance button?
In this game you are not the hero, you don't fight monsters or do anything epic. you sing songs and make friends and help save the world or at least help other people save the world.
I like the concept and on paper I like this game.

Here's the problem - this game is about music but it isn't musical.
Do the different colors match the notes on a scale? sometimes.
Do you have to learn to read music or memorize music? no.
Is this a rhythm game? no
Are the songs memorable - does it have a good soundtrack? no
Are the controls easy and intuitive? not particularly
Is it at least a good platformer - no
This game is a story first and foremost and your job is to keep the story moving. Everything else is secondary to the story they wanted to tell; which means that the controls are sometimes clunky, the experience is linear and certain 'puzzle' aspects are contrived.
A small aside - I don't love the overly simplistic philosophical commentary. I love the idea of exploring alternatives to combat and violence: Peace, love and song is great but it's lacking nuance. This game came dangerously close to making a political statement and that sours the experience. Most Indy titles are made by people who love games and want to create an alternative gaming experience but this one came across almost as 'preachy' like it was made to criticize the typical gaming experience instead. I could be reading a little too much into it - so don't spend a lot of time thinking on this last point. I guess what I'm saying is that you should play undertale instead.

This game is absolutely beautiful. Beautiful art, beautiful sound beautiful story, beautiful gameplay. I want to forget the game just so I can play it all again. I love the dialogue, the character design.. I love that even bugs matter and everything to the sound of your footsteps adds something to the overall wonderfulness of it all. I cannot say enough good things about this game; I love it.