Wayward Strand

"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."

"Wayward Strand is a thoughtful and compelling game with a unique setting."

"The experience aboard the floating hospital is a dialogue delight thanks to its wonderful cast of unique characters, all of whom are voiced with passion and emotion. There’s really only one major downside to Wayward Strand, and it’s that after …"

"Wayward Strand revels in its ability to funnel players&s; 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."

"Ghost Pattern has delivered an experience like no other. The complexity of the simultaneous narratives that unfold around you in real-time creates a beautiful experience that should be played by all gamers. I can’t wait to see what is next …"

"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."

"Wayward Strand provides a poignant reminder that life is fragile, but within its delicate boundaries, we have a gift unlike anything else. The residents are all interesting thanks to great writing and a solid cast, and when you&s;re done, you&s;ll …"

"Wayward Strand in many aspects is just like an elderly who takes their times and cannot be rushed. The dialogues cannot be skipped, the characters cannot be hurried and every event unfolds following its own pace. Some stories are almost …"

"Wayward Strand is a delicate piece of work, as its title might imply. Despite the flight of fancy proposed by the very idea of an airship hospital, it&s;s a remarkably unassuming game–not literally down-to-earth, but certainly grounded in its portrayal …"

"This unique work of interactive fiction is realistic, relevant, and wholesome. Amazing voice actors and great writing have made the characters so real and got me to care about them. Wayward Strand is a game about being there for people. …"

"One of the first characters you meet, Ida, says that Casey’s experience in the hospital is much like the life of an older person; piecing things together as best you can. As you wander the halls of Wayward Strand’s hospital, …"

"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 …"

"Wayward Strand is certainly worth a playthrough or two to see the various stories and conversations you missed the first time around, and the heartfelt, caring atmosphere it fosters will help to raise your spirits."

"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 …"

"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 …"

"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 …"

"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 …"

"Once you begin a thread in the Wayward Strand, you may want to follow. The people who you forge connections with will rely on you. And if you’re genuinely looking for a good cry. Or you would like a game …"

"In a world of narrowly-focused objectives in games, it’s sometimes nice to simply choose your own path"

"Wayward Strand is a great narrative adventure game but its experimental nature won’t be for everyone. The gameplay is rather basic, topics may be uncomfortable for some to listen to, and the lack of clear direction won’t gel with everyone. …"

"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 …"

"Wayward Strand is great for players who love talking with NPCs and hearing their thoughts and opinions. However, this is very much in the form of a journalistic interview; Casey lacks the charisma or drives to shape the outlooks of …"

"Wayward Strand isn’t a perfect game, but it is darn near close. It doesn’t overwhelm players or force their hand but allows plenty of freedom within the confines of the closed-in space of the airship. I will absolutely be replaying …"

"Australia has a long history and heritage in video games, but very rarely do I see Australian game developers aim to contribute to our national body of narrative work like Wayward Strand does, and I cannot express in words just …"

"An experience that touches the soul and the heart, about the most precious present we can make to other people: our time."

"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 …"

"Wayward Strand is a beautifully crafted, cosy game with a singular real-time, simultaneous narrative structure that compels multiple, unique playthroughs."

"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 …"

"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 …"

"Finding the quiet yet poignant moments among the personal human dramas unfolding aboard a flying hospital, Wayward Strand is a chilled out and beautiful game. The world itself progresses unabated even without your involvement which means each player will likely …"

"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."

"The Wayward Strand is a heartfelt tale, told in a meticulous way. It features over a dozen characters, each with its own timeline and story. All these stories playout in real-time alongside each other, throughout the ship which greatly bolsters …"