| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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