Wanderlost

Game mechanics

In Wanderlost we observe the action from a top-down view. The game gives us a vast world, which we can freely explore. It consists of nine different biomes, among which we can find picturesque plains, a rainforest, a swamp or, finally, ruins of cities and villages. The map is procedurally generated, and the game is varied by changing weather conditions and seasons. All this makes each adventure here look different.

During the game, we should focus on the basic needs of the protagonist. The hero must have constant access to food and drinking water, as well as have a roof over his head. Only after meeting these needs we can think about exploring the world full of dangers, developing the character and making a cozy and safe nest, which will not be intimidated by any danger. A number of complex mechanics have been implemented in the game, which, although clear and intuitive, make the gameplay more complex than it might seem at first glance.

As we traverse post-apocalyptic America, we acquire a variety of resources. Although at first the basic and available almost everywhere resources, such as wood or stone, are enough, with time we start to need unique materials, like peat or swamp iron (which we can find only in the swamps). We need resources for crafting, which allows us to make a variety of tools for work (like an axe, pickaxe or chariot), as well as weapons and ammunition. In addition, resources are used to build and expand our base.

In the first phase of the game, a tent fenced with a makeshift fence made of sticks is sufficient headquarters for us. Nevertheless, with time, more structures, such as wells, smokehouses and cellars, appear in our command center. Besides, nothing stands in the way of turning our base into a real farm; on the land we cultivate we can grow a variety of vegetables and fruits, which can be both the basis of our food and an addition to the fish we catch or the meat from the animals we hunt. At the same time, it should be remembered that the wider the area our base occupies, the more difficult it is to ensure its safety. We can protect it from threats by erecting metal walls, building turrets or erecting mazes and laying traps for enemies all around.

Speaking of enemies - the fight for survival is made more difficult by the living dead, who appear here in wholesale quantities. However, they are not the only danger lurking in front of the protagonist, because an encounter with a wild cat living in the jungle can be just as much trouble. While a single enemy can be knocked down with a makeshift weapon, eliminating a larger number of enemies requires the use of more sophisticated tools of murder. It's only up to us whether we decide to keep enemies at bay by shooting at them with a bow (or, in a later phase of the adventure, with a pistol or rifle), or whether we plow right into the middle of their herds with a katana in our hands and a battle cry on our lips. Besides, we can bring danger down on ourselves when we don't pay attention to the coefficients describing the character's state; getting thirsty or hungry, getting wet or hypothermic or even simple fatigue can be as deadly to us as a wild animal or a horde of zombies. Fortunately, not everything alive here wants to kill us; from time to time we also meet friendly characters with whom we can trade or cooperate.

As we progress, we gain experience, while as we advance in levels, we develop character attributes (such as strength, intelligence or dexterity), which allows us to face more and more challenges.

Technical aspects

Graphics in Wanderlost is made in pixel art technique, and the whole game was maintained in a cartoonish, slightly caricatured style.