Review of ‘Wall Town Wonders’ – Perhaps Too Laid-Back for Modern Mixed Reality

Wall Town Wonders delights the senses like a cozy glimpse into a future where augmented reality glasses are a daily norm. Picture managing a bustling little town of Sim-like residents, zipping about in hot air balloons around your living space. Visually, it’s a feast for the eyes, but does the gameplay carry enough depth to keep you hooked? It’s a curious exploration of whether this genre has arrived a tad prematurely for the current capabilities of XR headsets.

Game Details:

• Publisher: Cyborn
• Available On: Quest 3/3S
• Reviewed On: Quest 3
• Release Date: November 21, 2024
• Price: $20

Gameplay

In true casual game fashion, Wall Town Wonders keeps difficulty on the lighter side, aiming for a chill, laid-back atmosphere. One of the initial joys is peeking into the tiny worlds inside each building—imagine watching a miniature chef crafting a pizza or villagers on a bi-plane adventure right in your living room.

Once you’re past the hour-long tutorial, the game reveals its love for mini-games, surfacing as you construct new buildings. Activities include everything from defending a vertical farm from pests with a mini crossbow strapped to your wrist, to fishing and guiding planes around your space using hand gestures.

A significant portion of your time will involve waiting for your virtual villagers to generate resources like wood, money, and food. As they autonomously go about their tasks, you focus on expanding your town by filling out and upgrading over 100 different types of buildings. Tailor each structure’s placement and color to mirror your imagination, resulting in a dynamic diorama buzzing with life.

However, some might say the game feels like it’s on auto-pilot. Villagers carry out their duties with little need for your input, so you can choose to dive in actively or simply observe them like watching fish in a tank. Interactions, primarily through mini-games, allow you to help your villagers mine, farm, and navigate your virtual realm.

But after a few sessions, my enthusiasm began to wane. The mini-games, intended to hold interest while waiting for resources, often felt like mundane chores. I found myself yearning to leave the town to its devices and return only occasionally, rather than dedicating lengthy play sessions.

Immersion

I’ve always had a soft spot for virtual dioramas; their compact worlds make every detail shine. Wall Town Wonders crafts a scene of charming European villages right on your wall, pulling you in with its cozy visuals.

Despite this allure, I’m still typing this review on a traditional screen, as most of us only snag headset time at the end of a workday for gaming or social apps—unless, of course, we’re reviewing something.

I dream of a day when XR headsets boast resolution levels that make them as comfortable and prolific as my monitor, and wearers forget the headset is even there. These are hurdles that casual games like Wall Town Wonders need to overcome.

For now, though, playing in quick bursts during downtime aligns well with smartphone game habits but seems misaligned with the current tech’s capacity. As it stands, the experience of Wall Town Wonders feels a bit too laid-back for extended play on a Quest.

Fans of The Sims or Townscaper might find charm in its approach, though. I can acknowledge, perhaps, that my expectations might be misaligned with what this title offers—a pleasant, whimsical experience rather than deep, engrossing gameplay.

The reliance on point-and-click interactions using laser pointers and hand-tracking caters to engagement from afar. However, these interactions feel like missed opportunities for more immersive experiences, resorting to basic gadget play during mini-games.

Comfort

Exploring Wall Town Wonders can become a physical affair as you roam your room’s walls, standing to get the most out of the game. While you could play seated, engaging fully often encourages mobility.

Most structures remain at head height, yet, with some activities occurring at ground level, you might find your neck straining if you’re sensitive. But placing the village at eye level on your walls is an innovative step, making exploration feel right at home and marking a potential direction for future XR town simulations.

Comfort Settings for Wall Town Wonders – November 21, 2024

• Turning: No artificial turning
• Movement: No artificial movement
• Posture: Standing mode recommended
• Seated Mode: Not supported
• Crouching: Real crouch supported, artificial not required
• Accessibility: Subtitles and various languages available, limited in audio dialogue and difficulty adjustments

For those who find joy in leisurely building and managing a virtual town from the comfort of their room, Wall Town Wonders offers a charming, if somewhat simplistic, retreat into a whimsical world.