I first played Wanderstop when it released back in March, and it's rarely been far from my mind ever since. Initially, I was drawn to the narrative-driven, self-proclaimed cozy game for its tea shop management set-up. But as I got further into protagonist Alta's story, I started to see unexpected reflections of myself. As a fallen fighter whose sword is weighing her down, Alta's battle in Wanderstop is one that's ultimately with herself, and I felt such a deep, personal connection to the journey she goes through to recognize her own internal struggle.
Together with the comforting ritual of making tea and the reassuring message it infuses with darker themes, developer Ivy Road brought to life an experience steeped in meaning and vibrant color. Sitting down with studio founder and writer and director Davey Wreden – who's best known as the creator behind The Stanley Parable – I leapt at the opportunity to ask what initially sparked the idea behind the game that's stayed with me throughout 2025:
