Wayward Strand

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 15

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Wayward Strand is a unique experience that tells a heartfelt story about growing up and getting old, even if gameplay can sometimes be overly simple and suffer from a lack of clear direction.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 15

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 15

Wayward Strand is a unique experience that tells a heartfelt story about growing up and getting old, even if gameplay can sometimes be overly simple and suffer from a lack of clear direction.

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Critic Reviews for Wayward Strand

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

15

Reviews

Average Score

100

Ranges

7/10

Annette Magaña (Push Square)

With a lovely cast and setting, Wayward Strand is sure to land into your heart even if it does lack gameplay essentials such as more frequent save points or, at the very least, a skip button.

September 15, 2022 |

Full Review

Wayward Stand tells an intimate story that you discover at your own pace. The non-linear design gives you the freedom to personalize your journey through a long weekend at work with your mother. The in-game clock makes the world feel alive and pushes you to follow story arcs rather than meander. While the conclusion is a little lacklustre and there is an absence of gameplay, this is a wonderful passage through a moment in time.

September 15, 2022 |

Full Review

74/100

Jaz Sagoo (COGconnected)

9/10

James Wood (Press Start)

Wayward Strand offers up a uniquely Australian take on the narrative adventure game with a gorgeous art direction and moving portrayal of hard-working people in a harsh system. Despite a couple of pacing issues and an unforgiven save system, Wayward Strand is an approachable and hugely enjoyable little world to explore and find some catharsis in.

September 15, 2022 |

Full Review

Annette Magaña (Push Square)

7/10 - (Read Review)

With a lovely cast and setting, Wayward Strand is sure to land into your heart even if it does lack gameplay essentials such as more frequent save points or, at the very least, a skip button.

Jaz Sagoo (COGconnected)

74/100 - (Read Review)

James Wood (Press Start)

9/10 - (Read Review)

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Read the Reviews (15 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Bazimag	Sina Golabzade	7 / 10	09-15-2022	Wayward Strand may not be the kind of adventure its unique location and teen journalist protagonist suggests but it has a humanistic emotional story at its heart that is made more memorable by its beautiful art style.	Read review
COGconnected	Jaz Sagoo	74 / 100	09-15-2022	Wayward Stand tells an intimate story that you discover at your own pace. The non-linear design gives you the freedom to personalize your journey through a long weekend at work with your mother. The in-game clock makes the world feel alive and pushes you to follow story arcs rather than meander. While the conclusion is a little lacklustre and there is an absence of gameplay, this is a wonderful passage through a moment in time.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Ben Sheene	8.5 / 10	04-15-2021	Wayward Strand revels in its ability to funnel players’ curiosity down multiple avenues of branching intrigue. Though light on actual “game” there is little excuse not to become easily transfixed by its whimsical, touching nature.	Read review
Hey Poor Player	Heather Johnson Yu	3.5 / 5 stars	09-17-2022	Wayward Strand is less an active experience and more like sinking into a comfortable, worn couch. At first, you find the seat to be relaxing, but as time goes on you find yourself sunken into its cozy depths, all desire to move from your resting place evaporated. The floating hospital becomes its own character, just like the colorful cast that resides within; soon, your goal to see the game through becomes less important than learning all you can about the airborne convalescent home. If you’re looking for a game that places more importance on the journey instead of the destination, Wayward Strand welcomes you aboard.	Read review
NintendoWorldReport	Joe Devader	8 / 10	09-15-2022	The game is fully voice acted, adding quite a bit of personality to the cast. If you enjoy a laid back experience that just has you talking to people, Wayward Strand is worth a look. Old people have some pretty neat stories, and the ones on this airship are no exception.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	RJ Harris	6 / 10	09-16-2022	Wayward Strand all in all is a unique enough game that showcases interesting game elements and story with interesting characters and different backgrounds of characters that think, talk, and feel all uniquely different. But with different narrative outcomes and endings it does not feel entirely rewarding to play the game more and more to get those unique differences or moments.	Read review
Press Start	James Wood	8.5 / 10	09-15-2022	Wayward Strand offers up a uniquely Australian take on the narrative adventure game with a gorgeous art direction and moving portrayal of hard-working people in a harsh system. Despite a couple of pacing issues and an unforgiven save system, Wayward Strand is an approachable and hugely enjoyable little world to explore and find some catharsis in.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Paulo Roberto Montanaro	85 / 100	09-16-2022	Wayward Strand is one of the most sophisticated narrative-focused games of recent times and, in its simplicity, manages to be captivating and sensitive without appealing to any cheap sentimentality. It should not appeal to every type of player, but fans of the genre will find here an authentic experience, striking characters, and really meaningful choices.	Read review
Push Square	Annette Magaña	7 / 10	09-15-2022	With a lovely cast and setting, Wayward Strand is sure to land into your heart even if it does lack gameplay essentials such as more frequent save points or, at the very least, a skip button.	Read review
Rock, Paper, Shotgun	Rachel Watts	Recommended	09-22-2022	A heartfelt story about growing up and getting old with an interesting time mechanic set inside an airborne hospital.	Read review
Screen Rant	Rob Gordon	3 / 5 stars	09-15-2022	Overall, Wayward Strand is an interesting game that explores humanity in a way that few games have, while its time limit to each day means choosing who to spend time with has an added importance. Technical issues hold the game back, alongside a lack of dialogue depth as the weekend rolls on. However, overall this is still an engaging game for players who want a more cerebral title.	Read review
SpazioGames	Nicolò Bicego	8.5 / 10	09-15-2022	An experience that touches the soul and the heart, about the most precious present we can make to other people: our time.	Read review
Stevivor	Ethan Dean	7.5 / 10	09-15-2022	If you are vehemently opposed to narrative experiences with very light gameplay elements, Wayward Strand may not be something you will gravitate towards. For fans of the genre, it would be hard not to recommend. I – who usually prefer the third-person, open world flavours of the month – found myself thoroughly entertained by its charming cast of characters and its uniquely compelling storytelling style.	Read review
Twinfinite	Keenan McCall	4 / 5 stars	09-15-2022	When all is said and done, Wayward Strand is a great narrative experience but not a game for everybody. The lack of clear direction and rewards can make its simple gameplay loop feel overwhelming, and the grounded themes it tackles aren’t always easy to get through. For those willing to give it a look, though, it’s a game that offers characters who players won’t be able to keep from falling in love with, and the experience it offers will stick with whoever plays it long after the credits roll.	Read review
WellPlayed	Chantelle McColl	9.5 / 10	09-15-2022	With its eccentric elderly cast, intricate themes, unique agency mechanics and narrative structure, Wayward Strand is a compelling experience that reels you in and leaves you wanting to call your grandma.	Read review

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About Wayward Strand

Game Description / Storyline:

Wayward Strand is a heartfelt interactive story, told in a unique and curious way. Play as Casey Beaumaris – intrepid teenage journalist – as she visits an airborne hospital for the first time. Uncover the airship’s mysteries, and explore the lives of its inhabitants.

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