Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 4, PC

Publisher

Humble Bundle

Developer

Greg Lobanov

Genre

Adventure, Music, Platform

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

2.05 GB

Release Date (NA)

Sep 27, 2018

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Steam

Wandersong, a charming tale about a bard who sets out on an adventure to save the world, is an indie game that should not be overlooked. It was a funded Kickstarter project back in January 2016 and funded a month later for the PC (Steam). The music adventure game eventually came to the Nintendo Switch in the fall of 2018 and is now available for the PlayStation 4.

You’re No Hero, Just a Bard!

The goddess Eya, creator of the universe, plans to end the world as you know it. And you? You play as the Bard. Not a sword-swinging fighter or a magician. Not even a squire. You are not a hero, and everyone in the game tells you that. That’s okay, though! As the Bard, you just want to save the world in your own way: singing. Therefore, you’re sent on a quest to learn the Earthsong that channels voices from life on the planet. Using this song will prevent the goddess from ending the world.

Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. The Bard must meet seven Overseers, spirit creatures that know how to teach the Earthsong to the non-hero. Before you meet each spirit creature, however, the Bard must learn a certain song that grants access to the spirit world. Learning it will take some time, since the only way to discover it is by helping the locals in each town with their problems. For example, in one town, you’ll help put together a band to play. One of the members gains their confidence and plays the song you need to visit one of the Overseers. In another, you’ll go on a quest to find mermaids with pirates who enjoy coffee. It’s pleasantly silly!

There is one town where your visit feels a bit too long. In order to continue with the story, you’ll have to meet certain people in specific locations at odd times of the day. Luckily, like most games, the in-game clock does not sync with the real world, but it’s still more work than it should be. At least you can use the town’s bench to help speed up time. Still, no matter what town you’re in, the character interactions always stand out.

The script is one of the best parts of the game. It’s humorous and entertaining, especially the dialogue between the Bard and Miriam, a witch who aids the Bard whether she wants to or not. Miriam is short tempered and the complete opposite of the calm and peaceful Bard. She would rather solve problems by using destructive magic, whereas the Bard wants to use non-violent methods like talking and singing. The two are quite the dynamic duo.

Indie designer Greg Lobanov mentions on his Kickstarter page how the story was influenced by My Neighbor Totoro, the Over the Garden Wall cartoon, and the classic Super Nintendo game Earthbound. In playing through Wandersong, the impact of these three can definitely be felt, and so can others. The Cat King from the animated film The Cat Returns comes to mind when seeing one of the Overseers. Even so, the game definitely creates its own song.

Colorful Singing (and Swinging)

To sing, a “color wheel” will pop up around the Bard. From there, you’ll push the controller’s thumbstick in the direction of one of the colors in the wheel. If you are using the PlayStation 4’s DualShock controller, the Bard will sing through the controller’s speaker.

During your adventure, the Bard will have to play “Simon Says” with the color wheel. This is necessary to learn new songs or solve puzzles. When this event occurs, a colored shape will appear and you’ll have to play the note on cue. You don’t have to be precise as long as you are within the time range and have the correct color. This is not like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, or the Taiko no Tatsujin series, though. There is no pressure here, which is great.

While playing, you’ll switch roles with a character who is not a bard but who can use a sword. When swinging the weapon, a color wheel will appear to point the direction of your attack. It feels awkward since you use the wheel to play notes for the majority of the game, not swing swords. As a result, it definitely takes some adjustment to learn. For everything else, though, the game’s controls feel comfortable and satisfying.

Cardboard Graphics

Many indie games utilize pixelated graphics, but again, Wandersong strikes a different tune, using an art style based on cardboard shapes. It does make the character designs and animations simple, but the colors are quite vibrant and pleasant. It’s actually a little reminiscent of the Paper Mario games.

The towns and backgrounds are even more simplified, for better or worse. Players may catch themselves forgetting to jump onto or down from a platform at times, since the shapes tend to blend together to make a field of depth. It’s that or that they are spellbound by the game’s music.

That Lovely Tune

A game that’s based on music needs to have a strong soundtrack. Wandersong delivers with songs filled with harmonic and sweet sounds. Wind and string instruments playing along with bit-styled music are enjoyable, indeed.

Even a non-harmonic track, such as the one that plays during the Bard’s coffee chaos, is energetic and fun, matching the game’s animation perfectly. Seriously, the coffee pirates singing together with the Bard, while Miriam is annoyed, is an absolute delight.

The Finale

Who says playing as a bard isn’t fun? Wandersong is a harmonic and colorful game that proves that not every hero has to have a giant weapon to save the world; they just need a big heart (and maybe a decent set of lungs). The simplistic graphics and odd swordplay of this music-themed title may be a hurdle to some, but the gameplay, dialogue, and soundtrack is otherwise pure entertainment. Encore!

A review code was provided by Greg Lobanov for this review.