Wanderlust Travel Stories Review [Switch]

Wanderlust Travel Stories

Developer: Different Tales
Publisher: Forever Entertainment
Platforms: Switch, PC
Reviewed On: Switch
Release Date: 27/03/2020
Price: £13.49/$14.99
Reviewed By: Keith Lavelle
Review Rush was kindly supplied with a review code.

[ Introduction ]

When I first saw the trailer for Wanderlust Travel Stories, the thing that stuck out for me was the use of real locations. As with most visual novels they are fantasy based, here we had one grounded in reality about ‘real’ people and their stories. However, how much is real and how much was artistic license?

The stories revolve around five lots of people meeting on one of the most remote island in the world, Easter Island. They all end up in the pub on the island and talk among themselves to share their tales.

The content consist of long and short stories each feeling well written and engaging.

[ Gameplay ]

The gameplay of Wanderlust Travel Stories is like all visual novels. There are large sections of reading, followed by choices to make. These choices could be as simple as how to reply to a person or what shop to visit. Each choice can impact on the story in some way. There is also a stress and fatigue meter to manage, it is fairly simple pick the choice that will lower said bar if you need.

There is scope for a reply with the different choices that are given to change how the story may go.

[ Visual and Perfomance ]

Visually, the game uses amazing photos of places around the world from Easter Island to the Antarctic and everywhere else in between. This gives a bit more credence to the stories told in Wanderlust Travel Stories being true as they revolve around real places.

There is a big emphasis on time and distance with the world map. When traveling and interacting with others the world map is on display, in a light blue that give a calming feel to the game.There is also the mode of transport moving towards it designated route. The pacing makes these parts feel as if you are on a massive journey.

There were no bugs I found while playing.

[ Sound ]

The music is simply divine. I would definitely listen to this soundtrack while trying to relax. It is so soothing and melodic. They did a great job even the ambient noises feel relaxing.

[ Conclusion ]

Wanderlust Travel Stories is about five groups of strangers sharing their travels. The developers set out to make a relaxing visual novel and they have succeeded. This is not a graphic novel for everyone, there is none of the usual anime tropes here, just nice relaxing stories.

Wanderlust Travel Stories is it not only relaxing but inspirational and educational. It will inspire you to go out and find out more about these places, possibly even go out and travel abroad yourself. I did!