Wunderling

 Switch
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Pure Nintendo
    Mar 23, 2020
    90
    Wunderling is a challenging and fun puzzle platformer. With smooth controls and unique level designs, it’s hard not to say, “one more try.”
  2. Switch Player
    Jun 16, 2020
    80
    Wunderling is a charming and clever little puzzle-platformer with delightfully colourful graphics, a cast of cute characters, and excellent level design. If you’re a fan of the genre, don’t let this one pass you by.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Mar 31, 2020
    80
    All in all, Wunderling was as fun and cute as I would have hoped. The simple controls are a welcome change from the standard side-scrolling platformer. The level design is really spectacular as well, leaving me smiling many times when I finally figured out how to get to certain places. Somehow, the platformer genre continues to entertain me, and Wunderling does a great job of bringing something both fresh and tried and true.
  5. Nintendo Life
    Mar 23, 2020
    80
    By removing the basic ability to turn direction whilst walking, Wunderling proves itself to be an incredibly addictive platformer that boasts excellent level design, brilliant writing, and adorable visuals. Its impressive accessibility means that almost anyone can pick it up, but it simultaneously remains challenging enough to keep you engaged for hours.
  6. Video Chums
    Mar 12, 2020
    80
    Simply timing jumps within Wunderling's elaborate stages makes for one enjoyable adventure where it feels good to be the bad guy.
  7. Gameblog.fr
    Mar 6, 2020
    80
    Wunderling is a very clever 2D platformer, filled with secrets and surprises, thanks to a brilliant level design, and a smart writing all the way. Trying to stop the hero Carrot Man, our antihero walks by himself through dozens of levels, gathering abilities which always enrich an already very strong formula. Every 2D platformer fan of the genre should definitely give it a try.
  8. The Indie Game Website
    Mar 5, 2020
    80
    It’s likely Wunderling will get lost in the endless noise that is the Switch (and Steam) store, which is a shame. Wunderling combines intentionally familiar elements in a charming and clever way and the presentation is clearly devoted to emulating the charm of the 16-bit era and it succeeds. The gameplay itself is clever, challenging, and fun, and there’s a commendably large variety of levels to keep players occupied for some time.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Elana_K
    Mar 30, 2022
    9
    This game is super fun! If you like solving puzzles and "outwitting" the game, so to speak (e.g., notice suspicious tiles, sequence break,This game is super fun! If you like solving puzzles and "outwitting" the game, so to speak (e.g., notice suspicious tiles, sequence break, etc.) Wunderling will hit the spot! Your platforming skills will also be put to work here, although this is an auto-runner, and not a traditional platformer. I generally find auto-runners to be repellent, but in this case it is not a lazy design choice, but a very deliberate component of the puzzles and level design.

    If you just want to get through the levels, this is a pretty easy game. Then again, if you play it that way, I think you are missing the point. This is a game that demands you search all of the hidden nooks and crannies until there is nowhere left for anything to hide. If you play it THAT way, Wunderling can be quite tricky at times and even occasionally frustrating. However, frustration never lasts for long, and there is often a sense of "I finally did it! Maybe I should pack it up for now... well, maybe just *one more* level..."    … Full Review »
  2. SyndicateY
    Nov 28, 2021
    7
    I have always wondered what it would be like being a Goomba; and, to a degree, any minion from a platformer. All they do all day is go left toI have always wondered what it would be like being a Goomba; and, to a degree, any minion from a platformer. All they do all day is go left to right until some hero comes by and squishes them. That is all, but why do they do it; what are their aspirations? To be honest, no one knows, but what if they had something more to them than just going left to right? What if a witch gave them the power to chase the enemy and have their revenge once and for all? What would that game be like? If you have ever asked that question, then you are in luck as Retroid has thought of this very notion for Wundeling, a game about being the lowest level minion, aka a Goomba, but not a Goomba.

    One day, a lonely Wunderling is doing its usual day to day duty of going left to right when the hero of a generic platformer stomps on it. The hero leaves more destruction in their wake, but the poor Wunderling is left as flat as a pancake, unable to do anything. That all changes when the witch chasing the hero sees the flattened Wunderling and decides to revive it and give it the power of jumping. Now the Wunderling has one job on its mind; that is to get revenge on the hero for all those stomping incidents.

    Wunderling is an automatically moving side-scrolling platformer where players take on the role of the minion. As the Wunderling moves on its own, players only need to worry about jumping when navigating levels. This sounds easy on paper, and at the start, it is, but the further players get into the game and earn more abilities for their Wunderling is when things get difficult. Now I don’t mean overly difficult or anything, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be with only having one button to use. The difficulty comes in the way of timing jumps and abilities for the Wunderling to not die in any way.

    As Wunderling is a platformer, it is divided into worlds and levels for players to easily complete. After doing several levels, players unlock a new world, which generally means a new scenery, but could also mean a fight with the hero at the end/start of a world. The Boss fights change up the game, and once the hero is defeated, he will lose a life in a good old-fashioned platforming style.

    I enjoyed, Wunderling as the gameplay mixed the mechanics of an endless moving game with intense puzzles that could be frustrating at times and gratifying. The graphics were lovely as they had that platforming flavour, with its own distinct look as well. Like most platforming games, players can play the game in short doses or long sessions; it is all up to them at the end of the day, which is one thing I always love about a good platformer.

    Wunderling is a lovely and cute platformer that allows players to play as the weakest minion in a tale of revenge and redemption like no other. If you are sick of playing as the stomping hero, then take the opportunity to enact your revenge on the hero and be the hero of the Wunderlings.

    Wunderling is available on Switch, Xbox, Playstation 4 and PC.

    A code for Wunderling was provided by the Indie Game Collective on behalf of Retroid.    … Full Review »
  3. Naelsh
    Apr 23, 2020
    10
    This is my goto game on Switch. Great game, easy to pick up, play a few levels and then continue another day. Love the speed, design, controls.
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