The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village is a city-building simulation game developed by Stray Fawn Studio, an indie developer based in Zurich, Switzerland. The game was first released in Early Access on September 14, 2022, and reached its full 1.0 release on July 17, 2025, launching on multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The game was co-published by Stray Fawn Publishing and WhisperGames. The inspiration for the game came from an illustration of a tortoise carrying a world on its back, which the developers saw at a local art exhibition in Zurich in 2016. This concept evolved into a unique gameplay experience where players manage a village built on the back of a giant, wandering creature named Onbu.

In The Wandering Village, players are tasked with building and maintaining a village on Onbu's back as it traverses a post-apocalyptic world plagued by toxic spores. The gameplay combines elements of city-building, resource management, and survival, as players must adapt to the changing environments and challenges presented by Onbu's journey. The game features a dynamic world with various biomes, each offering unique resources and obstacles. Players can interact with Onbu in different ways, such as befriending, worshiping, or exploiting it, which influences the village's development and the player's relationship with the creature.

The development of The Wandering Village was influenced by various sources, including the games of Impressions Games and the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. These inspirations are evident in the game's emphasis on environmental storytelling, resource management, and the symbiotic relationship between the village and Onbu. The soundtrack, composed by NukeTan, complements the game's atmosphere with a blend of ambient and thematic music, enhancing the player's immersion in the game's world. The soundtrack was released separately on September 14, 2022, and is available for purchase on platforms like Steam.

The game was promoted through a successful Kickstarter campaign in October 2020, where it raised over €155,000 from approximately 6,500 backers, significantly surpassing its initial goal of €30,000. This funding allowed the developers to expand the game's content and reach a wider audience. Upon its full release, The Wandering Village received positive reviews from critics and players alike. It was praised for its unique concept, engaging gameplay, and the emotional connection players develop with Onbu. The game has been described as one of Steam's coziest games and has garnered a dedicated fanbase. Following the 1.0 release, Stray Fawn Studio announced plans for future updates, including a "Quality of Life/UX" update and an "Onbu Update" to further enhance the player's experience.