Geek Review: Wolfstride

In an age where graphical fidelity is unusually sought after, it is of some comfort to know that sometimes, less is more, especially when you have the manga/anime-like visuals of Wolfstride, a turn-based role-playing game with well-written characters, an engaging story, and giant mechs going ham on each other.

Developed by OTA IMON Studios and published by Raw Fury, the game invites players into the lives of three former partners-in-crime, who inherit a junkyard mecha, Cowboy. With high hopes and perhaps foolish optimism, the crew reunites to enter the planet’s most elite mecha competition – The Ultimate Golden God Tournament.

Every member brings unique experiences to the game, be it dog-mechanic Duque, mecha pilot Knife Leopard, or jack-of-all-trades Dominic Shade, players will get involved with various aspects of the team’s journey. More importantly, it slowly unfolds into a deep, slow-burning exploration of the trio’s past and their inevitable fate.

Wolfstride can be broken down into two main parts, one being the management side of things, and the other focusing on the mech combat. 

The former, taking up a majority of the game, is where Shade can explore all that Rain City has to offer, picking up odd jobs and the like to earn cash, and purchasing the equipment needed to help with the team’s prospect of victory. Duque assists with integrating upgrades, new weapons, or repairing the damage done between battles, all while Leopard prepares for the next bout.

Once you are actually in the arena, success depends largely on how Cowboy is set up prior. Are you looking to prioritise defence and angle for the best position to attack, or wear down your opponents every chance you got to land the killing blow? The turn-based nature of Wolfstride definitely allows players to take things at a slower pace, while still delivering some satisfying mech combat.

However, it is certainly not near the degree of challenge that one might expect, especially when powerful gear is almost always available at prices that are attainable even early on. As much as it is fun to see giant robots destroying each other, it can come across as shallow for those looking for a proper RPG experience. 

This is likely the result of Wolfstride focusing more on the story aspect, with some truly impressive writing that helps players to appreciate the cast of misfits even more. The game is definitely not shying away from subjective comedy, bordering on the immature at times, but its commitment to the bit always manages to pull it through.

And when it is time to go deeper and examine the trio and the other characters you meet along the way, the writing strikes a great balance between conventional RPG plot points and showing off character vulnerabilities that are not just relatable, but also enhance the impact they have in the story. The performances of the voice-acting are also high points worth looking out for.

All of this is wrapped up in a gorgeous art style that will look comfortably at home in any collection of excellent art and animation. Wolfstride may have taken inspiration from the medium, but it is also clear the development team has established its own style that is eye catching and easy on the eye. 

When viewed from a traditional RPG lens, Wolfstride is not exactly the best representative of the genre. It does have elements of that kind of game, with the mech management and turn-based combat, but the real star attraction is the story of Shade, Duque, and Leopard’s journey. 

Character development was always a pleasant surprise, the style is top-notch, and its humour usually lands the punchline, just be sure to adjust your expectations accordingly so you can enjoy Wolfstride for everything it is, and not for what it is not.

Wolfstride is available on Steam for $14.50.