Wanderstop Review – A Cozy Game With a Chaotic Heart

Wanderstop, the latest game from Davey Wreden (The Stanley Parable, The Beginner’s Guide), arrived quietly earlier this year—but we at Thanks For Playing couldn’t resist diving into it. With Wreden’s track record of deeply personal, genre-bending storytelling, this "tea-making cozy game" immediately caught our attention. But is it really a cozy game? Or is there something darker, weirder, and more meta lying underneath the herbal infusions and animated kettle boils?

A Game Made for Us (Maybe)

We kicked off the episode with tea in hand and expectations high. Lucas, a self-proclaimed lover of cozy games and metafiction, was all-in on Wanderstop's pitch: “cozy vibes with a dark underbelly.” But as they got deeper into the experience, things got complicated.

Wanderstop places you in the role of Alta, a battle-worn warrior forced into retirement who winds up running a tea shop in an enchanted forest. There's no swordplay here. You’re harvesting plants, steeping tea, and chatting with strange, often hilarious patrons. But beneath the sleepy rhythms of daily tea prep lies a struggle: Alta's internal war with her fighting spirit and an unshakable anxiety that she must always do more.

Sound familiar?

Yeah—it’s very Davey Wreden. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Is This Actually a Cozy Game?

One of the episode’s most interesting moments was Lucas’ breakdown of the term “cozy game” itself. Stardew Valley? Animal Crossing? They seem relaxing on the surface—but are they really? Lucas argued that the pressure we put on ourselves in these games (finishing our crop rotations, completing the museum/community center, relationships) can actually feel like a second job.

Wanderstop, by contrast, strips all that away. There are no achievements, no pressure, no “winning.” And yet, paradoxically, this left both Lucas and Matt feeling... bored. Not because they needed combat or crafting trees—but because the game’s core message (“do nothing, it's okay”) was so literal that it dulled the experience.

Expectations vs. Reality

We agreed that Wanderstop’s marketing played a role in this disconnect. The trailer—debuted at The Game Awards—hinted at something more sinister, Doki Doki-style. Players (and podcasters) waited for the twist, the glitch in the matrix, the shocking truth behind the tea shop. But it never came.

That’s the point, Wreden seems to be saying. Life doesn’t always need a twist. Sometimes, it just is.

Still... does that make for compelling gameplay?

Themes of Burnout and Pressure

This is Wreden’s third game in over a decade—and once again, it’s about pressure. The Beginner’s Guide tackled creative burnout. The Stanley Parable examined freedom and control. Wanderstop is about what happens when you finally stop.

We resonated with that theme—especially the idea that relaxing can feel like a chore. But they also noted that the game’s protagonist, a top-tier athlete forced into retirement, isn’t exactly a universal metaphor. They wondered if the story would’ve hit harder from the POV of, say, a burnt-out office worker rather than a magical ex-gladiator with an emotional sword demon.

Still, there were highlights. The ambient piano score (courtesy of Minecraft composer C418) and reflective monologues from Alta gave moments of real depth. And the vibrant art style—lush forests, changing seasons, and a wonderfully absurd cast of NPCs—was universally praised.

Final Thoughts

Despite its strong thematic intentions and undeniably thoughtful design, Wanderstop left us conflicted. For a game that preaches inner peace, they found themselves itching to play... literally anything else.

“I was expecting revelation and got repetition,” Lucas said. “If this game had been five hours, maybe it would’ve hit harder.”

Matt added, “Boredom can be powerful in a story—but is it fun to play? Not really.”

The Verdict

• Lucas’ Score: 5/10

• Matt’s Score: 6/10

• Podcast Average: 5.5/10

Commercially this hasn't been a total flop by any means, but a game whose delivery may not match the depth of its message—at least for everyone.

Companion Piece Picks

• Lucas: The Princess Bride – for its meta-narrative structure and cozy-meets-dark energy.

• Matt: Your Lie in April – a touching anime about burnout, performance anxiety, and rediscovering joy.

Want to tell us how you slow down, or what tea you’d serve to your inner demons? Join the conversation on our Discord or follow us @TFPpodcast.

Next Up: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, and Final Fantasy VI. Stay tuned.