One wanderer, one lantern, a lot of games
[YOUR STORY: who you are, why you started Wanderer Dreams, and what kind of games you go looking for.]
How the rating works
Every game is played before it's rated. There are no user scores and no aggregated reviews: one person, one honest opinion.
- The game decides the questions. Its genre, graphics and platform pick what is asked: a text adventure is never asked about the camera.
- Questions ask for facts, not feelings. "How many times did it crash?", answered from a journal kept while playing.
- Questions come in modules. A core one for every game, others for some genres. Each gets a score, then they are combined, the core counting most.
- Only what was seen counts. A question that could not be judged is left out, and with too few answers the game gets no rating yet.
A serious flaw sets a ceiling: a game that cannot be finished because it keeps crashing cannot rate as flawless.
4.5+Flawless executionNo recurring flaw observed.
3.75+Solid, minor frictionIsolated flaws, none affecting progress.
2.75+Decent, regular frictionFlaws keep coming back, the game ends without outside help.
1.75+UnevenFrequent flaws hurt progress or comfort.
Below 1.75FailingFlaws prevent normal play.
What the questions cover
- Core Facts that apply to any game: it works, it respects my time, it keeps its promise.
- Linux (Proton) What the compatibility layer cost me, without penalising the game for anything else.
- Mobile Controls and legibility on a touch screen.
- Real-time 3D Camera, readability of space and rendering. Absent from 2D and text games.
- 2D and pre-rendered images Consistency and legibility of the image. The intended style counts, not realism.
- Animation Only for games marked as animated.
- Reading and pacing What keeps a long read going: the text moves forward, the characters stay consistent.
- Choices and consequences Measures what choices really change, not how many there are.
- Platformer Precision of the controls and fairness of the difficulty.
- Open world Orientation, density and coherence of a world you can cross.
- Linear game Variety of situations and clarity of the path.
- RPG Progression has real effects and the options matter.
- Puzzle Fairness of the puzzles.
What “Stands out for” means
On top of the overall rating, some games shine in one area. Those get a highlight, earned when enough concrete facts check out.
GraphicsArt direction that makes a scene stick, not just technical polish
Dialogue & writingLines that feel alive, characters worth listening to
MusicA soundtrack you would happily keep on after closing the game
Story & loreA story that pulls you in, in a world with depth worth uncovering
AtmosphereThe feeling of the place: mood, sound and light working together
What you won't find here
- Abandoned games: if a creator stopped working on a game, it leaves the forest.
- Paid placements: nobody can buy a spot or a rating.
- Passwords, ads or tracking: browse freely, and use a one-time email link only if you want to keep favorites.
No promotions. No collaborations. Ever.
No sponsored posts, no partnerships with studios, publishers or brands, no affiliate links, and no gifted keys in exchange for coverage. Nobody can pay for a spot or a rating. Every game is here only because the wanderer chose it.
Know a game that belongs here?
Suggestions, corrections and kind words are always welcome.