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

Imagine stepping into a world where your everyday environment is transformed into a bustling, miniature town. "Wall Town Wonders" offers just that—an intriguing glimpse into what casual gaming could look like in a future dominated by augmented reality. Picture this: tiny, Sim-like residents floating around your living room in hot air balloons, going about their lives as you do yours. While the visuals are undeniably engaging, the gameplay lacks the depth to hold interest long-term, begging the question of whether we’re ready for such a genre just yet in today’s XR headset era.

Details

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

Gameplay

"Wall Town Wonders" sticks firmly to its casual roots with a low difficulty level, crafting an experience that’s as relaxing as it is mesmerizing. Early on, you’ll find joy simply observing your town. Peek inside various buildings to watch villagers hard at work, whether it’s a chef tossing a pizza or a pair of townsfolk zooming around on a bi-plane right in your living room.

After about an hour in the tutorial, the gameplay pivots to mini-games triggered by unveiling new structures. Whether you’re defending a vertical farm with a wrist-mounted mini-crossbow, fishing by your feet, or steering airplanes with hand gestures, the activities aim to entertain.

However, much of your time will be spent waiting for villagers to produce essentials like wood, money, and food. This routine revolves around completing and upgrading over 100 different buildings, allowing you to personalize your miniature metropolis. The effect? A stunning, dynamic scene that breathes life into your space.

Although villagers operate with a level of autonomy—doing their tasks whether you’re involved or not—it sometimes feels like they play the game more than you do. Sure, you can interact with them to mine, farm, and build, but those activities often distill down into mini-game formats, which you might or might not find engaging.

Despite its allure, I found my enthusiasm waning after a few hours. It almost felt like the town would continue thriving on its own, leaving me wishing to shift my focus back to something more interactive. The mini-games, although intended to fill the waiting gaps, felt like chores rather than engaging diversions.

Immersion

Virtual dioramas have always captivated me; they possess an ability to cram intricate details into tight spaces, making every element vibrant and engaging. "Wall Town Wonders" achieves this with its charming depiction of a tiny European village blossoming across your walls.

Despite enjoying such enriched environments, I’m not yet using my headset as part of my daily routine—something many XR productivity solutions promise but don’t quite deliver. Like most, my immersive explorations are reserved for leisurely hours post-work, not during productivity time, unless, you know, I’m testing new titles for review.

I envision a future where headset comfort and resolution reach a point where it’s as natural as using a desktop. Such advances would make casual, quick engagement games like "Wall Town Wonders" more feasible daily companions, rather than commitment-heavy experiences. Until then, it feels like the game asks players to overlook current hardware limitations, favoring a laid-back pace that might not suit those seeking immersive play sessions on Quest or similar devices.

However, fans of "The Sims" or "Townscaper" might well disagree, arguing that the game’s whimsical charm suits them just fine. They might say it’s not about the game’s shortcomings but about finding enjoyment in its serene simplicity.

Objectively, "Wall Town Wonders" could rely less on point-and-click interactions. Whether picking up villagers for brief missions or using gadgets like bows and watering guns, these moments, though functional, miss out on creating deeper, immersive experiences. The encouragement of hand-tracking, while innovative, had me reverting to controllers for convenience. Its UI, centered on laser pointer functions, does aid distant interactions but could benefit from more immersive gadgetry instead of the one-off items used in mini-games.

Comfort

With the broad array of buildings to explore, you’ll find yourself on your feet, navigating your room’s vertical space. Though sitting is an option, most will roam around freely to take it all in. The game positions your village across your walls, sparing you from awkwardly bending over a tabletop setup. This innovation is more comfortable and, I hope, a harbinger of design choices in future XR town simulations.

"Wall Town Wonders" has its charm and certainly promises a future where augmented reality integrates seamlessly into everyday spaces. Though its approach can feel too laid-back for casual gaming’s current state, the experience it provides is an enthralling peek at what’s possible as technology and gaming continue to intertwine.