I absolutely adore a good turn-based RPG. This has not always been the case; however, as I have explored more of the genre, I have learned to love it. It reminds me of playing D&D, but I am alone in my office shouting at the screen versus playing with others on Zoom and yelling at the screen. Of course, it is all in good fun, but with less time to play D&D, I appreciate this genre more. What if I told you there was another tactical RPG on the market that likens itself to being similar to tabletop roleplaying games? If we are on the same page, you are in for a treat. So, without further ado, let’s talk about Wildermyth.
What is Wildermyth?
Wildermyth follows the tale of a group of adventurers from their humble beginnings to their legendary endings. It is a character-driven, procedurally generated tactical RPG, and you are in the driver’s seat. Decisions matter in this game, and difficult choices will be made. Will players find love? Will they face the ultimate consequence? That is up to you to decide. However, whatever choices you make will impact future playthroughs. That is right; while many adventurers eventually die, yours can live on in your next adventure. Overall, it is a unique take on a classic genre.
Features Unique to Wildermyth
- Papercraft graphics.
- Explore a stunning world made with handpainted 2D graphics.
- Unique baddies.
- Sick of the classics? Players will run into never-before-seen enemies.
- Character depth.
- Everything about a character will have an impact on a play through.
- From a character’s history to relationships, it will matter.
- Decisions that matter.
- Encounters and events have consequences.
- These can be pleasant or bad.
- Character death like we have never seen.
- You don’t want a character to die quite yet?
- Maim them instead, which will lead to other story arcs.
- Or let them fall and become a legend.
- You don’t want a character to die quite yet?
- Coop.
- Up to five players can be in a campaign.
- And so much more!
Thoughts on Wildermyth
When I first saw Wildermyth, I knew it was a game I would need to play. Papercraft graphics draw me in like a moth to a flame, and after playing Baldur’s Gate 3, I have been looking for a similar title. I want something with turn-based combat, a bit of romance, and a unique story. There are bonus points if a game has coop, but that is optional. It feels like a tall order; however, Wildermyth delivers. Ultimately, if you are in the market for a game with just those three traits, there is no need to read further; I promise you will love it.
First, the character customization is more in-depth than I anticipated. Players can choose how their character looks, their history, and their relationships. It felt similar to filling out a TTRPG character sheet. Additionally, one does not have to be familiar with TTRPGs to create a character; everything is easy to follow. Secondly, the combat was easy to navigate and felt natural. The seamless transition from combat to cutscenes was also well done. When a cutscene occurs, it is similar to reading a comic book strip. Finally, the graphics are just so darn good. I love watching my character hop around the battlefield. In the end, Wildermyth is a beautiful game that has a lot going for it.
Odds & Ends
If you want to get in on the Wildermyth magic, it is available on Steam and itch.io. There are plans for the game to be available on consoles, but there is no current release date. As for a recommendation for a similar title, Gloomhaven is similar. Overall, I love both titles and cannot wait to see where these stories take me!
