You can enjoy Wanderstop on platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and its main objective? To craft a lovely cup of tea.
What’s caught my eye about Wanderstop, a newly released game centered around themes of “change and tea” as put by its Steam page, is the fact that it marks the debut of Ivy Road, the studio behind it. This studio was co-founded by Davey Wreden, known for his previous works like The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide, both of which were refreshingly original and unique in execution. Now, if you’ve seen the trailers for Wanderstop, you might think it’s just another “cozy game” where you work in a kind of relaxing, business-sim environment—this time, managing a quaint tea shop. But knowing Wreden’s style, I’m betting there’s more beneath the surface than meets the eye, and I’m eager for the moment it throws something unexpected my way—because that’s what I crave. I want a game that surprises me, plays with my expectations, and keeps me on my toes.
Another reason I’m eager to dive into Wanderstop is the varied spectrum of reviews it has received. The critical response ranges from warm approval to outright admiration. I’ve deliberately avoided reading any detailed reviews since I prefer entering games with minimal prior information, but the buzz around its diverse criticism has certainly grabbed my attention. In the gaming world, it’s all too common to see agreement where diverse opinions should thrive. So, when a game like this breaks away from the norm and sparks varied critical feedback, it suggests there’s something intriguing at play.
This doesn’t guarantee that I’ll fall in love with Wanderstop; it just means that even if it doesn’t become a favorite, it might at least disappoint in a way that’s thought-provoking. I find games that dare to be different more appealing, even if they don’t entirely succeed. There’s something thrilling about exploring a game that attempts to chart new territory than settling for something that merely aims to please. Who knows? I might end up adoring Wanderstop. That’s what I plan to figure out this weekend. But for right now, the anticipation of starting a fresh adventure, not knowing what lies ahead, is one of the sweetest parts of gaming. — Carolyn Petit
