Wanderstop Review - A Cozy Game About Rest, Burnout, and the Beauty of Doing Less
A heartfelt journey into rest, healing, and tea - Wanderstop is the cozy game that understands burnout like no other
Available on: PC, Xbox, Playstation
Genre: Management Sim, Cooking Sim, Shop Sim, Emotional
Developer: Ivy Road
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
When I first sat down with Wanderstop, I was expecting something gentle, maybe a little bittersweet, a cozy tea shop sim with a twist. I knew it might have something deeper going on under the surface, but I had no idea just how much it would resonate with me. And wow... it did.
This game hit me at exactly the right moment. As a recovering perfectionist who’s been through burnout more than once, Wanderstop didn’t just entertain me, it comforted me and taught me more about myself. It’s one of those rare games that manages to be completely charming and quietly profound at the same time.
Story
You play as Alta, a former warrior who’s traded her sword for a life of stillness, running a tea shop in a tranquil forest clearing. But this isn’t just a cosy retirement tale. Alta’s story is layered with tension and grief, about who she was, who she’s becoming, and the struggle of simply being still when all you’ve ever known is motion.
It’s beautifully told, with moments that caught me completely off guard. Some scenes gave me goosebumps; others made me cry. And yet it’s also tender, funny, and full of charm.
Boro, your adorable paternal helper, is a standout, he’s sweet and expressive, with dialogue that had me smiling constantly. The other characters are unique and lovable with stories that you really start to care about.
Related: Looking for shop running management sims?
From sticker businesses to cat cafes, check out these top shop sims!
Gameplay
Wanderstop encourages you to unlearn the typical gaming instinct to optimise and complete. You grow and harvest plants, make soothing cups of tea based on gentle requests, and slowly explore your own headspace along the way.
The tasks themselves, like fulfilling tea orders or managing the garden are simple and satisfying. But the real challenge? Being okay with not doing everything perfectly. The game encourages you to take breaks, to stop mid task, to sip your own tea and listen to your thoughts.
As someone who always feels the need to “get it right,” that was strangely hard. But I also found it quite healing. This isn’t a game about winning or achieving. It’s about letting go. And in that way, it’s quietly revolutionary.
Graphics and Visuals
The art direction in Wanderstop is warm and whimsical, like stepping into a living storybook. Everything from the way the leaves rustle in the wind to the glow of a lantern at twilight feels thoughtfully crafted to create a space you want to live in.
Characters are uniquely stylised, full of charm and personality. The tea shop itself is cozy and comforting, while the surrounding forest is just mysterious enough to want to stay in the cozy clearing you’re creating.
Though the voicework is a little underutilised in my opinion (I would have loved more!), what’s there is beautifully done. Alta’s voice adds a huge amount of depth to her emotional arc. Even with limited lines mostly just in cutscenes, the performances bring nuance and texture to the story, making each interaction feel much more intimate.
Longevity
I completed Wanderstop in 15 hours, but true to form I did complete every task before finishing. It’s a relatively short experience, but one that lingers long after the credits roll.
The game’s replayability isn’t about unlocking new endings or chasing completion, it’s about returning to a space that feels safe, where you can reflect and rest. I can see myself playing this again in a few months, just to sit with it all over again.
It’s not about how long you play. It’s about how deeply it stays with you.
Conclusion
Wanderstop is a game that quietly says, “It’s okay to stop.” It meets you where you are, gently encourages you to feel, and reminds you that rest is not just allowed, it’s necessary.
It’s cozy, yes. But more than that, it’s wise. It understands the discomfort of stillness, the guilt of doing “nothing,” and the way burnout can leave you feeling hollow. And then it wraps those feelings up in warm tea, gentle sunlight, and characters who show you it’s okay to let go.
Whether you’re here for the slow life vibes or the emotional storytelling, this one’s a must play. So make yourself a cup of something warm, take a deep breath, and let Wanderstop work its quiet magic.
