Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 140 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 68 | 16 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 19 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 55 reviews sampled · 51 total reviews in window · weighted 41 up / 2.2 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (92)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Wanderstop is a cozy game of tea-making, featuring quirky customers and a protagonist who, amusingly, would rather be sword fighting than stuck here, making tea. In general, if you enjoy farming/crafting games and admire a bit of a narrative kick, you’ll enjoy it.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Part cozy game, part comedy, part poignant self-reflection, Wanderstop proves even the most well-trodden genre can bear creative fruit. Its gameplay errs on the side of simplicity, and elements of the story, particularly the side cast and the ending, left me hungrily wanting more. Still, the soul of Wanderstop shines through, resulting in a narrative experience that is one of a kind.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Funny and enjoyable as Wanderstop may be, it suffers from its inability to juxtapose Alta’s healing process with any of the hardship that made healing so necessary in the first place.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Wanderstop follows Alta on a journey where little journeying takes place. In fact, this game is all about slowing down, taking your time, and resting, cup of tea in hand. In 12-ish hours, you drink up a story of heroism's dark side and the need to take breaks. Its response to hustle culture is emotional, yet never sickly sweet.The beautiful art style may not be at its most potent on Switch 2, but if you're a Nintendo-only household, don't pass on Wanderstop, especially if you're a cosy fan. Ironically, if your personality is anything like Alta's, you might be too impatient to play this. Then again, you might absolutely need to. Now, who fancies a cuppa?”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Wanderstop is a game I knew I'd like but didn't realize I'd love. With its therapeutic gameplay, healing-focused narrative, masterclass performances, and genuinely cozy vibes, Ivy Road's crafted an incredibly special game that I will carry with me for years to come. The last time a game made me feel this way was Chicory: A Colorful Tale, and that stands the test of time as one of my all-time favorites. So consider Wanderstop one of 2025's must-plays and get your healing on at the tea shop as soon as you can.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Wanderstop, the video game, is one of the most important works of our time. The way it succinctly portrays burnout unlike any other piece of media is exceptional.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“Wanderstop is a fascinating exploration of letting go: if many games are exercises in overstimulation that play like Red Bull being poured down your gullet, then this one is more akin to having a calming sip of tea.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Wanderstop's absolute-tea intriguing meta introspections add some unique flavor, but certain design & story fumbles leave a conflicting aftertaste.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Wanderstop is a genuine exploration of human struggle. It’s tangled, humorous, vulnerable, enlightening, mundane, complex, sticky, straightforward, and personal in equal parts. Though some of the vocational meat could have had a little fat trimmed off, it stands as one of the best depictions of humanity I’ve seen in a game.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“A pleasant and thoroughly cozy affair that dabbles in trying to have a healthy perspective on life, and work on making some fine tea as well along the way for others and yourself”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Wanderstop is an extremely precious title that despite being created by the designer of the Stanley Parable, takes and creates something completely different but always created with great care and love, Alta's story will stay with me to pay homage to who created it and for when Wanderstop does not deal with topics for everyone it is a great Cozy PTSD title.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I didn’t expect Wanderstop to get under my skin the way it did. It’s not just about making tea, it’s about learning to slow down, even when your brain doesn’t want to. It’s about change, about sitting with discomfort, about figuring out what comes next and learning to accept all of that. If you’re looking for a game that’ll give you a warm hug and a sense of control or the satisfaction of progression, this might not be it.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Hotfix 15493Apr 3, 2025
- Hotfix 15472Mar 27, 2025
- March 25th Patch Notes + Pluffin Trailer BTS 🌷Mar 25, 2025
- Update Notes for 03/13/2025Mar 13, 2025