Wall Town Wonders review (Quest)

Wall Town Wonders, which we previewed during Gamescom, brings a fresh take to city-building simulations by combining tranquil gameplay with innovative mixed-reality (MR) features. Developed by Cyborn, this title offers a unique experience designed for Meta Quest, promising advanced hand-tracking and a focus on personalization. While its ambitions are commendable, the execution presents a mixed bag that will likely appeal most to those seeking a slower, more meditative gaming experience that initially feels rather magical from a technical point of view.

At its core, Wall Town Wonders offers a cozy and relaxing take on the popular city-building genre, steering away from the intense micromanagement of traditional (often PC-based) titles. Players are encouraged to explore and nurture their towns at their own pace, which makes the game feel more like a creative sandbox than a high-pressure simulation. And while the absence of time constraints or fail states fosters a calming atmosphere, it might also leave those craving deeper strategic layers feeling underwhelmed.

Instead, the game’s highlight is undoubtedly its sense of immersion, which is aided by hand-tracking that enables players to interact with their virtual environments using natural gestures. Picking up and placing buildings, customizing areas, and interacting with townsfolk feels intuitive and satisfying, creating a connection to the town you’re building. However, the precision of the hand-tracking isn’t flawless, occasionally leading to frustrations when gestures aren’t recognized or result in unintended actions. These hiccups, while not game-breaking, can briefly pull players out of the experience, particularly during more intricate tasks where you end up having to retry them a few times.

Visually, Wall Town Wonders is a charming showcase of MR capabilities, blending the player’s real-world surroundings with colorful and detailed virtual assets. Seeing buildings appear on your living room wall and having characters walk out of them is quite magical. The environments feel alive, and the art style has a charm that complements the laid-back gameplay. That said, the limited variety in assets and customization options can make the game feel repetitive over time, especially for those investing long hours into their towns. On the audio front, the soundtrack adds to the relaxing ambiance, though the lack of variation and voice work means the audio occasionally fades into the background, becoming forgettable.

While the gameplay focuses on exploration and gentle creativity, the experience lacks a compelling narrative or meaningful progression system (although you naturally unlock more things over time). This might deter players who are used to more structured goals or narrative-driven experiences. On the flip side, the open-ended nature of the game allows for personal storytelling and a sense of ownership over the evolving town, which can actually feel quite rewarding.

Wall Town Wonders is a step forward for mixed-reality gaming, showcasing the potential of hand-tracking and MR integration. It succeeds in creating a cozy, low-pressure environment for relaxation and creativity but is somewhat limited when it comes to depth and variety. For fans of city-builders who are curious about what MR can bring to the genre, it’s an intriguing experiment worth trying. However, those looking for more complexity or precision in their simulations might find its charm wearing thin after the initial novelty fades. The wow factor is certainly there though, making this an experience worth seeing and sharing.

Score: 7.2/10