Wander Stars Preview

When you get hit with a huge wave on nostalgia, it can really transport you back. And that’s what Wander Stars did for me as soon as I set my eyes on it. With a classic anime art style, this one has nostalgia oozing from its pixels. 

Wander Stars from Developer Paper Castle Games and publisher Fellow Traveller is an upcoming story rich turn-based RPG with an anime art style reminiscent of the era of Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon. In the game you play as Ringo, a young martial artist looking for her brother, and Wolfe, a mysterious scoundrel running from his past. The two join forces in a quest to collect all of the pieces of the fabled Wanderstar Map. 

The demo for Wander Stars, which you can grab on Steam, gives players a good idea of what they can expect from the full version of the game. You’ll start with a tutorial battle where you’re introduced to the main mechanics. I only played as Ringo during the time I spent in the demo, so I’m not sure if Wolfe works the same just yet! 

Being trained in the ways of Kiai, Ringo is able to use a magical form of martial arts where she can combine words to create custom attacks. For example, you can combine the words “super” “special” and “punch” to create an epic punch against an opponent. You could also add words like “fire” to give your attack an elemental bonus. Certain enemies will be weak or resistant to certain words so it’ll be up to you to figure out what will hit you the hardest during battle. 

When you’re in between battles, Ringo can walk around on a board-game like map, similar to turn-based games like Slay the Spire. Many of the locations you choose will result in some kind of event such as a battle or can give Ringo special items that can help during battle. If you choose to fight with someone on the map and you stop fighting just as their HP gets below a certain point, the game will prompt you to choose “peace.” Choosing peace isn’t always an option, but if you do choose peace rather than KO-ing your opponent, they’ll give you a little pep talk which will award you with a Pep Up bonus that you can equip. Pep Up’s give you special bonuses during battle. 

Whether it’s the amazing art style, fantastic animations, funny story or epic soundtrack, Wander Stars will absolutely be set to impress when it releases later this year. I can’t wait to dive back in and see where the story takes Ringo and Wolfe. 

Wander Stars is available to wishlist on Steam right now.