NEW Roguelike Alert! W.A.N.D. Project Takes Magic to the NEXT LEVEL!
0W.A.N.D. Project is an exciting roguelike that brings a fresh approach to the bullet heaven genre. Unlike other games in this category, the twist here is the deep spellcasting system. Instead of simply shooting bullets, you manage chains of casting conditions, spells, and modifiers, creating endless possibilities for experimentation and strategy.
Replayability and Content
One common critique I've seen in reviews is the lack of replayability or content, but I completely disagree. Yes, there are only three characters, each with their own unique board and buffs. However, the game offers much more than that:
Four Wands: Each with distinct casters, spells, and modifiers.
Three Stages: Each stage presents different challenges:
Classic survival—last as long as possible.
Area control—focus on dominating specific zones.
Drone kicking—the most unique stage, where you kick drones into railroads to beat the level.
Multiple Difficulties: Offering varied levels of challenge.
The true replayability comes from the combinations of casters, spells, and modifiers. You can try out countless chains, such as a fireball that spawns a fire tornado upon impact, heals you, and triggers traps that spawn new projectiles. If you don’t like a combination, you can easily swap things around or try different casters to build entirely separate strategies. Even with just one character and wand, the number of potential combinations is staggering, ensuring that there's always something new to explore.
Meta-Progression and Strategy
W.A.N.D. Project also features meta-progression (permanent upgrades), but it’s not essential to enjoy the game. You can absolutely complete runs without upgrading, although you'll likely struggle during your first attempts if you're experimenting with wild combinations. That said, the game encourages experimentation, and some of the most fun moments come from trying out silly combos.
Sound Design
The sound design is a mixed bag. While the music during the chain management phase is calming and fits perfectly, the combat music is a repetitive electronic track that, while not bad, gets grating over time. It feels like a common trend in many modern games, but it doesn’t stand out here. The issue is that if you lower the music volume to make the combat music more bearable, you end up barely hearing the pleasant soundtrack during the strategic phase.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend W.A.N.D. Project to players looking for something different in the bullet heaven genre, especially those who enjoy both action roguelikes and more strategic, complex gameplay. If you're simply looking for a Vampire Survivors clone, this may not be the game for you. But if you're open to experimenting with intricate spell combinations and enjoying a unique blend of action and strategy, W.A.N.D. Project is definitely worth a try. I’m excited to see how the developer continues to improve the game!
Read the latest full patch notes here:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2581750/view/4463725837189906534
W.A.N.D. Project - 1.0 Launched November 29, 2024!
Platform: PC (Steam)
Price: $9.99 USD
Link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2581750/WAND_Project/
Fast-paced, roguelike bullet hell with deep, unique spell crafting. Create and use overpowered, game-shattering spells by combining a multitude of magical elements. Defend Tokyo from a monstrous invasion using magic, reflexes, and game-changing combos.