In the mystical realm of witchy cozy gaming, where adventure meets spells and various herbs, comes “Wytchwood”.
Developed by Alientrap and released on December 9th, 2021, this crafting-focused wonder invites players into a whimsical world teeming with magic and mystery.
Picture waking up as an amnesiac witch, bound by an otherworldly contract with a mysterious goat. Your task: gather the souls of 12 individuals to awaken a slumbering woman ensnared in an enchanted dream.
Well, that’s the basic premise of Wytchwood.
Unfortunately, the truth is I didn’t enjoy this game as much as I wanted to. I’ll go into the reasons why down below.
Wytchwood Review: Key Game Elements
- Genre: Adventure, RPG, crafting simulator
- Creator: Alientrap
- Publisher: Whitethorn Digital and WhisperGames
- Player Modes: Single player
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Sony PS4, Microsoft Xbox One, PC
- Price on Steam: $19.99
- Price on Nintendo Store: $12.99
- Price on Xbox Store: $19.99
- Price on Playstation Store: $19.99
As a witch awakening with amnesia, the game tasks you with an intriguing contract involving the collection of souls and the awakening of a slumbering maiden.
The crafting system is the heartbeat of the gameplay, demanding resource gathering for spells, traps, and inventive devices. Initially, I found that the crafting mechanics offer a meditative and rewarding experience. But it does become a bit of a grind eventually if you’re not a completionist player.
Gameplay and Crafting Mechanics
In the world of “Wytchwood,” gameplay revolves around crafting and resource collection.
The game’s crafting system propels the narrative forward, demanding the collection of diverse resources ranging from wood and feathers to more exotic elements like goblin slime and fairy dust. Crafting, while intuitive, occasionally leans on repetitive recipes that may slow down the pace for some players.
The crafting process, streamlined through the recipe book, adds a needed level of calm execution to the otherwise intricate mechanics. Gathering ingredients is straightforward, thanks to the witch’s magical gaze, which reveals an insect’s weakness and eliminates the need for tedious experimentation.
However, the game’s backtracking element, despite the presence of fast travel points, may pose a challenge for those sensitive to repetition (it’s me, I’m the problem, it’s me). Basically, you will either:
- Be addicted to this game and not put it down until you’ve played it all the way through,
- You’re going to do half an hour and be possibly fed up and frustrated.
You need to know what type of player you are before buying this game.
Story and Quests
“Wytchwood”, in a nutshell, is a crafting adventure set in a wondrous world of gothic fables and fairytales.
As the mysterious witch protagonist, players embark on a quest to collect souls and unravel the enigmatic narrative woven into the fabric of the game. The storyline is reminiscent of a dark fairytale, offering a unique blend of whimsy and mystery.
The central plot revolves around fulfilling a contract with a possessed black goat, adding a touch of the supernatural to the tale since we all know goats are – essentially – Lucifer himself.
Quests, both main and side, are tied to the chapters of the story, offering a multifaceted experience.
The game introduces a cast of NPCs, each with their quirks and stories, creating a diverse tapestry of characters in the strange countryside. The NPCs, though occasionally rude, add depth to the narrative, and as you delve into their lives, the dark undertones of the seemingly innocent world become apparent.
Memorable moments are scattered throughout the quests, with encounters ranging from cheeky to morbid. The game strikes a balance between the tongue-in-cheek of its characters and the gravity of their situations, creating an engaging and often surprising narrative. The use of narration in dialogue adds a text-based RPG charm, providing additional context and immersion.
Overall, “Wytchwood” succeeds in blending its crafting-focused gameplay with a narrative that unfolds through engaging quests and interactions, ensuring that every twist and turn in the story holds a touch of the unexpected.
Visuals and Sound Design
“Wytchwood” boasts a visually enchanting world, embracing a beautifully rendered storybook art style. Character designs, landscapes, and the overall environment showcase meticulous attention to detail, bringing the expressive land of gothic fables to life.
The coloration and saturation are really well done, creating a vibrant and visually appealing atmosphere. The art style, akin to a storybook, significantly enhances the overall gaming experience.
Complementing the visuals, the sound design elevates the game’s ambiance. The old English soundtrack is a nice addition, infusing a sense of mystique and charm.
While the absence of voice acting is noticeable, the soothing nature sounds and carefully crafted music compensate for this, creating an immersive auditory backdrop that aligns seamlessly with the game’s cozy and mysterious tone.
Wytchwood Pros
Captivating Art Style: The hand-drawn visuals create a captivating and unique storybook aesthetic, adding a layer of charm to the overall experience.
Immersive Crafting Mechanics: The game’s crafting system, with its focus on gathering resources and concocting spells, provides an engaging and immersive gameplay loop. Crafting feels integral to the narrative and progression.
Rich Storytelling: “Wytchwood” weaves a narrative inspired by gothic fables and fairytales. The storytelling, while dark at times, is compelling, with interesting characters and fantastical narratives.
Charming Soundtrack: The old English soundtrack enhances the game’s atmosphere, contributing to the overall sense of immersion and enchantment.
Visual Cohesion: The combination of the visuals and sound design creates a cohesive and delightful gaming environment, making “Wytchwood” visually and aurally appealing.
Wytchwood Cons
Repetitive Gameplay Elements: The gameplay loop, especially in crafting and resource gathering, can become repetitive over time, potentially leading to a sense of monotony.
Limited Replayability: While “Wytchwood” offers an enjoyable experience, the relatively short duration and a linear progression may limit its replayability for some players seeking more extended gameplay.
Lack of Voice Acting: Although the ambient sounds and soundtrack are well-crafted, the absence of voice acting might leave some players desiring additional depth in character interactions and story delivery.
Occasional Pacing Issues: Certain moments in the game may experience pacing issues, particularly during the search for specific items, causing frustration for players.
Crafting Complexity: While crafting is a central theme, the complexity of some crafting processes may be a barrier for players who prefer more straightforward mechanics. A more intuitive crafting tutorial could alleviate this challenge.
Conclusion
“Wytchwood” offers a unique blend of crafting, whimsical storytelling, and occult imagery that draws players into the enchanting life of an old witch. I’m someone who has two sets of tarot cards, so I truly appreciate what this game was going for.
However – even as somehow who usually insists on completing all the fetch quests in any game I touch – the gameplay became a bit too stale for me. I found myself caught up in the grind, and lost the initial cozy calm I felt when I first started playing.
That’s why we’re giving Wytchwood Review an overall 3/5 score.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown.
Scoring System:
- Game Design: 3.5/5 – Thoughtful design with a few areas for improvement.
- Game Narrative: 3/5 – Engaging storytelling, though occasional pacing issues.
- Game Mechanics: 2.5/5 – Crafting complexity may be a challenge for some players.
- Cozy Factor: 3/5 – Creates a cozy and immersive atmosphere.
- Platform Availability: 4/5 – Available on a variety of platforms, enhancing accessibility.
