Life goes by so quickly. Without knowing it, time seeps away from us. Usually, we are so focused on our existence that we forget that others around us have interesting and fulfilling tales to tell. Wayward Strand incorporates this idea into its beautifully melancholy and touching story.
Developed and published by Ghost Pattern, this is a story-rich adventure RPG. It tells a familiar tale that will resonate with many gamers. However, its slow pace may be off-putting, and the lack of guidance or direction may also be disconcerting for some. I, however, enjoyed the freedom to explore, and I loved the zany and interesting characters I interacted with.
Wayward Strand lets you choose your adventure.
While many adventure titles ask you to follow a linear path, Wayward Strand is different. Yes, the game follows a set path, but the surrounding world is alive and ever-changing. Accordingly, you are free to see the world as you wish and speak to whoever takes your fancy. This was phenomenal, as you experienced a unique playthrough every time you picked up the game. Though the surroundings were familiar, your understanding of each relationship and the bond you build with them will alter. Therefore, you may see new things no matter how many times you play it.
The game follows a young girl named Casey Beaumaris. Casey loves her books and prefers them to the company of humans. However, in the summer of ’78, she has to make some sacrifices. For three days of her life, she must put down her books to help her mum in a floating hospital. Here, she will experience a new environment as she follows the residents of this unusual flying hotel. By helping out and talking to each patient, she gets a first-hand view of each personality and their hierarchical place. Determined to write a piece on what she sees and feels, Casey notes down every encounter, and this helps to build a beautiful understanding of each character and their view of the world.
Wonderfully slow and rich.
Games like Wayward Strand are divisive. Their approach is so unusual that gamers don’t always appreciate the direction they are taking. Accordingly, it takes a bit of getting used to, especially if you expect it to be full of action and drama. Instead, what you find is a lethargic pace that uncovers key facts and interesting snippets of each person’s life. Subsequently, I adored how minor conversations opened up different paths with each protagonist. Moreover, the freedom to explore the airship, and to interact with whomever you wished, was refreshing.
Alongside this, I loved how you could follow each resident and eavesdrop on any conversation you’d like. By doing this, you identified key traits and hidden information that would otherwise be missed. What was also great was the eclectic blend of personalities you encountered. There was an atypical granny who has known you for years, a rude and unwelcoming doctor, a young lady who rarely speaks, and many, many more. By assisting each person, listening to their woes, or observing them from afar, you uncover what makes each person tick and why the community is so special.
This is what makes Wayward Strand a perfect adventure title. Every playthrough is unique, and though there were familiar moments, you never knew where the game would take you. You’d observe the residents doing their thing as you honed in on one particular person. However, if, at any point, you wished to change your approach and investigate another patient, you could do so with ease. You were never forced to explore one specific path, and how you wanted the game to evolve was entirely up to you.
Wayward Strand has an aged appearance.
Thanks to the grainy imagery and soft colour palette, Wayward Strand has an aged appearance. Everything about it screams 1970s, and I absolutely cherished this look. What’s more, the side-scrolling approach and relatively small airship were straightforward to explore. Consequently, it was easy to focus on each person’s story and this was great. On top of this, the simple UI and clear text made it a pleasure to look at. Another element that makes this stand out was the wonderful character models. Every person looked unique, and I adored the somewhat clichéd approach to some of the personalities. Consequently, the developers did a great job of ensuring that the action wasn’t repetitive and the surroundings were interesting to observe.
What was also fantastic was the calm and touching audio. The slow-paced soundtrack matched the laid-back action that unfolded. Furthermore, the acting was excellent, and this helped when there was a lull in the action. Each encounter was met with some witty, interesting, and brilliant conversations. Moreover, each of the patient’s personalities was delivered well, and it was easy to lose yourself in the strange and isolated floating world.
Easy to control.
Ghost Pattern did a great job with their control setup. Thanks to the submenus, and excellent notebook function, it was a cinch to keep on top of all the information. What’s more, navigating the ship and conversing with each resident was straightforward. What was particularly great, however, was how immersive this approach was. Without realising it, your time would run out and this was the perfect metaphor for how quickly time can get away from you.
What was also interesting was how much replay value and longevity this simple concept has. With many patients to interact with and plenty of intertwined stories, you can play this repeatedly and experience something new. I loved this idea, as I adored each person’s traits and how they lived with one another. Furthermore, it was intriguing to see Casey develop as she discovered new things about herself from her short but eye-opening encounters.
Wayward Strand is great if you give it a chance.
If you dislike slow-burning plots, then Wayward Strand may not be for you. Yet, if you give it a chance, you’ll experience a story-rich title that will amuse and entertain you. I loved the stereotypical characters and the freedom to explore. Moreover, the ever-changing story and the free-flowing action caught my attention from the off. Though I appreciate that it won’t be for everyone, I still recommend that you buy it here! Can you help your mother aboard the floating hospital? Speak to each patient, understand their past, and see how each tale unfolds.
