Eager for another stylish, turn-based RPG to fill the gap after Clair Obscur Expedition 33? We've got just the answer, as a Wander Stars beta is arriving soon, and we've got a wealth of Steam keys to give away. Boasting an immediately eye-catching look inspired by classic '90s anime spectacle including Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Bebop, Sailor Moon, and One Piece, this special trial version of Wander Stars will let you explore the first three episodes, giving you ample chance to see if you want to keep going.
Just a brief glimpse of Wander Stars in action was enough to intrigue me. The '90s anime influences shine through in everything from the color palette to the hyper-expressive characters, and I can already feel child me grinning from somewhere in the back of my memory. Slick visuals aren't the only trick this new turn-based RPG has up its sleeve, however, as you set out across the universe in search of the pieces of the Wanderstar map and your lost brother.
Taking a little inspiration from deckbuilders along with the over-the-top cries of shounen anime attack names, your moves in Wander Stars are built out by combining an inventory of individual action, modifier, and elemental words. You can keep adding more up to your current spirit level, so you could perhaps unleash a 'Super Huge Dragon Kick' where 'Super' increases the damage, 'Huge' makes it hit all opponents, and 'Dragon' defines its element and status effects.
All of your words have their own cooldowns, so you'll have to think carefully about how you piece them together to maximize your effectiveness based on enemy strengths and weaknesses. It's a tremendously clever concept, giving you a similar level of control to the likes of Expedition 33's modular Pictos system. With more than 200 words across the full game, you'll be experimenting with new combinations right until the final credits roll.
The full game will feature ten episodes in total, each estimated to take between 60 and 90 minutes. Rather generously, then, developer Paper Castle Games is letting players experience the first three chapters as part of a new Steam beta. This limited-time test is a pretty hefty chunk of the game, giving you a good taste of its story, characters, and combat.
If you want to join, we at PCGamesN have 2,000 Steam keys to give away for the Wander Stars Steam beta, and you can be in with a chance of winning one by entering your details down below. The Wander Stars beta begins today, Tuesday June 17.
If we still have codes remaining, yours should automatically appear in the widget below as soon as you've fulfilled the entry criteria. There's also a more limited demo available to download now on Steam.
PCGN Wander Stars beta giveaway
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