In the 1980s, I first ventured into the world of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons. We played with three friends in their grandmother’s caravan after school. I was amazed by the game’s imaginative potential and how we brought characters to life from mere sheets of paper, imbuing them with personalities and stories.
Fast forward 40 years (yes, I’m that old), and games continue to embrace the D&D format, enjoying a resurgence in popularity since the success of Baldur’s Gate 3.Â
While Wildermyth: Console Edition might not have the same budget as those AAA giants, it captures the heart and soul of early D&D and tabletop storytelling with remarkable success.
This game has finally made its way to consoles after its initial PC release in 2021. Wildermyth blends tactical RPG combat with visual novel storytelling and you begin by selecting a difficulty level and then embarking on a campaign. While the game offers pre-written campaigns, each playthrough is procedurally generated, ensuring a unique experience every time.
You start by choosing your heroes from a selection of three, designating one as your main character and the others as companions. The character customisation options are robust, allowing you to shape their personalities, relationships, and even romantic interests. But let it be known, these heroes are just ordinary villagers who decide to take up arms against monstrous invaders. They begin by being kitted out with basic weapons like pitchforks and staffs, gaining experience and evolving as the game progresses. Progress sees them gaining experience, but just like in life itself, they will either grow or die as the game progresses.
The narrative is conveyed through visual novel-style cutscenes and engaging text, introducing you to the world and its inhabitants. However, the most compelling storytelling emerges from your choices and the events that unfold during gameplay. Heroes grow, acquire scars, fall in love, have children, and eventually retire. It’s with these elements in which the game creates a sense of epic scope, which is impressive considering its indie origins.
The core gameplay loop revolves around tactical turn-based combat on a grid-based battlefield, reminiscent of XCOM. Your heroes and the enemy monsters take turns manoeuvring and attacking, very much like you would expect of a game of this type. Yet while the setup and character classes (mage, warrior, ranged) feel familiar, Wildermyth manages to distinguish itself with its clever use of environmental interactions. You can even utilise fire braziers for healing or entangle enemies with vines. And then the combat is further enhanced by buffs, experience gains, and loot drops. While the combat can become slightly repetitive after extended play, it remains engaging overall.
As you progress, you recruit new heroes, lose some in battle, and face increasingly powerful enemies. The strategic layer involves managing resources, defending villages, and deploying your heroes effectively. While this can feel overwhelming at times, the compelling narrative and sense of epic scale maintain engagement.
Visually, Wildermyth: Console Edition impresses with its comic book-style cutscenes, reminiscent of classic newspaper comic strips. The character designs are delightful, and the maps and world are well-crafted, fairly easy to navigate. While there’s no voice acting, the evocative writing and sound design effectively convey the story and atmosphere.
Wildermyth: Console Edition is a testament to the power of storytelling and imagination. While I’m not typically a fan of XCOM-style turn-based combat, this game managed to draw me in with its unique blend of strategic depth and narrative engagement. The gameplay is accessible yet challenging, and the character progression and world-building create a truly immersive experience.
Most importantly though, Wildermyth: Console Edition manages to evoke fond memories of those early days playing D&D. And that is high praise indeed.
Wildermyth Embarks on a Console Adventure, Shaping Your Legendary Saga – https://www.thexboxhub.com/wildermyth-embarks-on-a-console-adventure-shaping-your-legendary-saga/
Buy Wildermyth: Console Edition on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/wildermyth-console-edition/9MW91ZNQ8B63
