Introducing Ghibli-inspired management game, Dragon’s Wandering Tavern

What charms me about Studio Ghibli movies is the way they make me feel nostalgic for a childhood I never had. It’s not just the peaceful visuals and the whimsical characters that achieve this; it’s the emotional core of the movies and the way the narratives afford young girls complexity. 

So when a game says that it is inspired by Studio Ghibli, I am instantly intrigued. In Dragon’s Wandering Tavern, you play as Dangoru, a dragon who travels a magical forest helping those along the way, cooking recipes, and trading goods. The game sports a cast of quirky characters, like a house that has legs (inspired by Howl’s Moving Castle, perhaps?) and an old woman in the woods. 

This game is a roguelike, as you will explore a magical forest called the Wandering Forest that changes its layout every day. Where the wandering tavern from the title comes in is the large backpack Dangoru carries. Called Chompy the Chest, it acts as your inventory and a tavern for the creatures you meet, all in one. Manage your tavern while uncovering the hidden story of the forest. 

I’m curious about the elements of Ghibli other than the aesthetic ones that have inspired the studio Wekthor. The studio hints at more serious themes accessible to all ages beneath the surface… something or someone has put the forest under an enchantment. Often, Ghibli movies can be reduced to an aesthetic or an art style that can be summarised as “peaceful magical realism” when they capture something beautiful and special emotionally about coming of age. 

If Dragon’s Wandering Tavern interests you, you can wishlist it on Steam. It’s planned to be released later in 2021 for Windows.