The Wanderer: Frankenstein’s Creature Review (Nintendo Switch)

Game: The Wanderer: Frankenstein’s Creature
Genre:  Adventure/ Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam and Mobile )
Developers | Publishers: ARTE Experience/ La Belle Games
Age Rating: UK/ EU 7+ | USA 10+
Price:  UK £13.49 | EU €14,99 | USA $15.99|AUD $ 22.50| CAD$ na
Release Date:  2nd July 2020

Review code provided with many thanks to ARTE Experience

A legend reborn… in watercolour

From the artistic minds of La Belle games and ARTE Experience comes a fresh take on the age-old Mary Shelley classic. The Wanderer focuses on placing the legendary creature into the hands of the player and allowing them to experience a new and sometimes frightening world through its eye. Depending on how you choose to respond to this world a varying selection of outcomes will present themselves. Just as we find in the gothic classic itself, the emotive state of this misunderstood beast makes for an interesting dynamic and one that translates surprisingly well to the format. Ranging from anger to sadness, each emotional state impacts not only the narrative, but the visuals and the audio as well. The immersion gained from this must be celebrated and many mainstream developers could learn something from such a creative choice.

When is a game, a game?

Writing a review for a ‘game’ like The Wanderer is a difficult task. For a start, The Wanderer doesn’t concern itself with gaming staples such as tutorials or missions… or any other staple of gaming for that matter. It doesn’t need to. This is about an emotional experience, not league tables or blisteringly fast action. This change in mindset is something that any would be player should be aware of before diving in.

I will admit, I initially found the sometimes excruciatingly slow movement of my creature annoying. However, I soon realised the developers are simply controlling the ebb and flow of each emotional wave for the player. With the speed and direction of the creature being tailored to each of the small chapters that make up the structure of the game. The Wanderer is less about ‘playing’ the game, and more about experiencing the emotive culmination of the art, sound and story that has been lovingly crafted by LaBelle Games.

Controlling the beast

Interaction via the point and click control scheme seen in the PC version of the game is thankfully replaced on the Switch with analogue directional control. This gives the player a greater feeling of connection with the game and allows you to feel a more intrinsic link to the outcomes facing the creature. Depending on the player’s actions and choices, your creature evolves differently, impacting not only on the story, but also the gameplay.

The emotional state of the creature forms the basis of much of these evolutions with the visuals and sound morphing to the state of the creature’s mind. For example, early in my play through I had the chance to either watch or intervene in a moment of animal kingdom confrontation. Out of interest I replayed the section in order to sample both outcomes. Seeing the world contort and twist to my decision was an intriguing and emotive experience to say the least. Other forms of interaction break up the exploration element throughout the game and range from simple visual puzzles to audio-based tasks.

Seeing (and hearing) is believing

The biggest draw for me with The Wanderer was the unique and beguiling art style. Screenshots do not do this game justice. The first moment you see the world unfurl before your eyes in a vivid display of colour is up there with many a triple A title’s attempt. What really underpins these moments however is the gorgeous soundtrack. From the start it is clear that wearing headphones is how you should experience this game. With a disclaimer informing you as much when you first boot up. As someone who spends many an evening listening to ASMR videos, I can honestly say the music on offer here is some of the most relaxing I have heard in a game. Each moment of The Wanderer is accompanied by sweeping and emotive audio that perfectly compliments the creature and their current state of mind.

Behold my creation

The protagonist of our journey is the newly ‘born’ Frankenstein’s creature. LaBelle’s vision however is not of the large, flat-headed, bolt-necked variety that many of us will be used to. The creature we are presented with here is initially somewhat of a blank canvas. Delicate on their feet and wearing a simple robe, the creature becomes a much more relatable character than you might have expected. On screen narrative points guide the player through the creature’s thoughts on their surroundings with many a heart wrenching moment being born from their naïve views of the dangerous world around them.

Each mini chapter of The Wanderer takes place within a different watercolour landscape. These range from picturesque woodland backdrops, to typical towns of yore. In each of these environments the player will guide their creature around until they stumble upon some form of interaction. It is here I must expand upon the one flaw I found with The Wanderer. The speed at which the creature moves is often under the control of the developer. Meaning that finding the next catalyst for story movement can sometimes take a little longer than is palatable. This isn’t so much a problem in some of the smaller landscapes. But when these begin to open, the distances that need to be traversed can edge into irritating and I found myself reaching for a non-existent run button a few too many times.

The beauty within

As already mentioned, trying to review a game like The Wanderer is never easy. Taken simply as a ‘game’ one could easily argue that there isn’t much here to discuss. I can’t track my score, there is no obvious action to speak of, and the only multiplayer aspect was when I called to my partner to make me another cup of tea. And yet, The Wanderer isn’t really about any of these things. It isn’t really about being a game at all. But instead, it is a piece of art. It just so happens that this piece of art cannot be viewed in a gallery, but through a download to your Switch Console. When taken from this view, there is much here to love.

From the sweeping visual appeal, to the emotive and often soothing audio. The story will guide you through the ups and downs of a creature experiencing a world they cannot fully understand. Something I imagine many of us might be feeling at this moment in time. As such I can heartily recommend The Wanderer, not as a game, but as an experience. One to savour and enjoy with a warm cup of tea and a flickering candle at one’s side. Mary Shelley would be proud.

Final Verdict: I like it! Ladiesgamers.com

 

5 comments

  1. Great review! I didn’t see you mention any of the puzzle elements reference in Nintendo’s description. Were they there? I do find Nintendo’s descriptions occasionally misdirecting.

    The way it was described sounds like it fits snuggly between Adventure and Visual Novel, a genre I increasingly like. I’ll definitely be looking for this to go on sale.

    1. Hi CJ. I personally think the amount of ‘puzzle’ elements in the game don’t really warrant it being used by Nintendo as a main genre tag. I definitely feel it comes closer to visual novel. In many ways it reminded me of Everybody’s gone to the Rapture on the PS4. There are some more overt puzzles but not enough I feel to call it a puzzle game.

      1. That’s fair. I’ve mostly disagreed with Nintendo leaving off tags a game deserved, but I rather suspected it was the opposite case with this one.

        Excellent! This looks right up my alley. Definitely adding it too my wish list for the next sale.

        Thanks!

  2. The game is unplayable on the Switch for me, due to some serious movement/control bugs(that don’t happen in any other game so it’s not a joycon issue). Did you experience problems controlling/moving the character in the switch version? I can’t progress.

    1. Hi Honor. During my play through I didn’t experience any control issues at all. Other than the fact that I occasionally found movement a little slow as mentioned in the review. It could be worth a reinstall and then I’d contact customer support.

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