Wander Stars (PS5) | REVIEW | Words Hurt In This Turn-Based Anime Battler

Wander Stars is developed by Paper Castle Games and published by Fellow Traveller. This turn-based RPG draws heavy inspiration from classic anime, following the story of two unlikely allies on a cosmic quest. At its core, the game revolves around collecting fragments of a legendary map that grants wishes, set against a backdrop of interstellar travel, personal redemption, and forming bonds amid betrayal and mystery. The narrative unfolds across episodic adventures, blending action, humor, and emotional depth as the protagonists chase their individual goals while navigating a vibrant universe filled with eccentric encounters.

The main protagonists are Ringo, a fiery young martial artist driven by her search for her missing brother and her ambition to master the ancient art of Kiai, a form of magical fighting. She's impulsive and determined, serving as the heart of the team with her straightforward approach to challenges. Partnering with her is Wolfe, a sly and evasive rogue haunted by his shady history, who brings cunning and sarcasm to the duo. Together, they recruit a diverse cast of supporting characters, including space pirates, whimsical witches, chatty animals, and rival fighters, who gradually form a ragtag found family that aids in battles and exploration, adding layers of camaraderie and backstory to the journey.

In terms of features, Wander Stars is structured like a serialized anime show, divided into 10 self-contained episodes that each run about an hour or so, making it easy to play in short bursts or marathon through the whole campaign. It emphasizes replayability, with procedural elements in maps and events that encourage revisiting episodes to uncover hidden side stories, new dialogues, and optional content. The primary mode is a single-player story mode, focused on progression through narrative-driven exploration and combat, without multiplayer or competitive options.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay centers on traversing overworld maps that feel like a mix of linear paths and branching points of interest, where players can stumble upon treasures, random events, or fights. The core mechanics revolve around a innovative word-crafting system for combat. You collect over 200 words categorized as actions (like "punch" or "kick"), modifiers (such as "super" or "wide" for area effects), and elementals (adding fire or other attributes for status ailments). 

These words are combined on the fly during turn-based battles to form custom attacks, limited by your character's spirit energy, cooldown timers, and the need to exploit enemy weaknesses or resistances. Objectives typically involve winning duels to progress the plot, befriending foes through honorable tactics (like sparing them at low health) to gain bonuses called Pep Ups, and gathering map pieces while resolving character arcs. It's strategic yet accessible, rewarding experimentation with word combos for devastating or clever moves.

The Presentation ...

Visually, the game boasts a nostalgic anime art style that echoes the bold, expressive designs of 1990s classics like Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon, with fluid animations that make every punch and spell pop on screen. The battle system has a Pokemon-like vibe in its collection and customization aspects, where amassing words feels akin to building a team of moves, but it's elevated by the Kotodama-inspired twist of words holding literal power to shape reality in fights. The soundtrack is epic and fittingly dramatic, enhancing the anime flair with tracks that build tension in battles and evoke wonder during exploration. Voice acting appears to be absent or minimal, relying instead on text dialogues and expressive character portraits to convey personality and emotion.

The Verdict ...

Overall, Wander Stars delivers a charming and inventive experience that stands out thanks to its fresh word-building mechanics, which add a layer of creativity and strategy to familiar turn-based tropes. The presentation is a highlight, capturing the spirit of retro anime with polish and heart. Replay value shines through the procedural variety and episode structure, inviting multiple playthroughs to experiment with different word strategies or chase missed secrets. 

It's a solid entry for those craving something offbeat in the RPG space. All considered I believe this game is best suited for fans of anime-infused adventures, JRPG enthusiasts who enjoy tactical combat with a puzzle-like twist, and players looking for a bite-sized yet replayable story on PS5.