Have you ever had such an experience: you are playing a game called “relaxation”, but your heart is surging? _Wanderstop_ gave me such a strange feeling. This game, created by the producer of _The Stanley Parable_, is ostensibly about tea ceremony and gardening, but in fact it is a self-exploration that directly hits the soul.
The Transformation from a Warrior to a Tea Master
At the beginning of the game, Alta, the former arena warrior I played, fainted in the forest because of exhaustion. When I woke up, I met the kind owner of the teahouse, Boro. He gave me a choice: stay and make tea to rest, or continue on the journey that exhausted me.
This setting immediately resonated with me. Just like us in reality, we are exhausted, but we always feel that we “should” move on. Alta’s words “Even relaxation feels like working” simply expressed my heart.
The Philosophy of Life in Making Tea
The core gameplay of the game is to run a teahouse called _Wanderstop_. I need to plant strange plants in the garden, study the combination of seeds of different colors, and cultivate tea with unique flavors. Whenever a new guest comes, I will understand their needs through dialogue, and then make suitable tea.
The process of making tea is both simple and full of ritual. Climb the high ladder to fill the teapot with water, adjust the stove to keep the water temperature, add tea and ingredients, and finally pour the tea into the cup. This set of movements gradually immersed me in it, as if I had really become a tea artist.
A Alrd of Guests
The guests of the teahouse have their own characteristics: Gerald, who pretends to be a knight, Nana, who is full of competition, and more interesting souls. They are not just guests who come for tea, but more like a reflection of different aspects of Alta’s heart. Through communication with them, I gradually revealed Alta’s past and saw my own shadow.
What surprised me most was the cute Pluffin — penguin-like creatures with thick eyebrows. They occasionally steal my belongings, and then I will pick them up and shake them to spit things out. This cute episode adds a lot of fun to the game.
The Profound Experience Beyond the Game
During the 15-hour game, I not only ran a teahouse, but also experienced a spiritual baptism. The simple labor of cleaning up fallen leaves and pruning weeds makes me experience the peace of “tidying up for the sake of tidying up”. Although the collected trinkets can’t be taken away, they make this space warmer.
The soundtrack of the game is played by C418, the composer of _Minecraft._ Each guest has his own theme song, and the music changes quietly as the plot progresses, perfectly highlighting the mood of the game.
A Dream that Doesn’t Want to Wake up
When I was nearing the end of the game, I found that I was reluctant to leave. Although I have done everything I can, planted all kinds of plants and tasted all kinds of tea, I still want to stay in this warm space for a while.
_Wanderstop_ brings me not simple happiness, but a deeper touch. It made me understand that real rest is not escape, but to bravely face the roots that make us tired.
Have you ever found an unexpected and profound experience in a seemingly simple game? Welcome to share those game moments that make you relax and think deeply in the comment section.
