[Find Your Indie] The anime-inspired RPG Wander Stars is a must-play

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Wander Stars is a 1990s anime-inspired turn-based RPG from Paper Castle Games and Fellow Traveller, launching on September 19, 2025. It’ll be available for Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The game was delayed from its original August 1st date to improve the user interface, balance combat, and fix bugs based on open beta feedback.

The game follows Ringo, a young martial artist searching for her brother, and Wolfe, a scoundrel fleeing his past, as they team up to collect pieces of the fabled Wanderstar Map. The narrative unfolds across 10 episode-style chapters, inspired by 1990s anime like Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball Z, and One Piece. The story features mysteries, plot twists, and a found-family dynamic with colorful characters, including space pirates, witches, delinquents, and talking crows.

Wander Stars’ unique turn-based combat lets you create custom attacks by combining over 200 words, such as “Super Fire Kick” or “Silent Thunder Strike.” Words fall into three categories: Action (Kick, Block), Modifier (Super, Fast), and Elemental (Fire, Water), each with cooldowns and elemental effects. You must strategize based on enemy weaknesses, spirit levels (unlocking more word slots), and cooldown management, blending JRPG, deckbuilding, and roguelite elements.

One of this year’s most anticipated games

Outside of combat, you’ll explore 2D environments with light platforming and puzzles and also talk to NPCs for side quests or just for fun. As you progress through episodes, new words, characters, and story paths will unlock, and your choices impact the outcome (like befriending a rival or defeating them for good). Randomized maps offer treasures, rivals, and special events and you can replay episodes to earn permanent upgrades.

If you’ve always wanted a game like Dragon Ball, Wander Stars might be it. It’s one of this year’s most anticipated games, and sadly we’ll have to wait an extra month to play it. But if you’re curious, an extended demo is available on Steam.