Wayward Strand

 PlayStation 5
Wayward Strand Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Welcome to the Hospital - It’s the summer of 1978, and Casey Beaumaris is trying to make the most of her holidays, when her mum asks her to spend a long weekend helping out at the airborne hospital where she works. Casey prefers the company of books to people, but she agrees, secretlyWelcome to the Hospital - It’s the summer of 1978, and Casey Beaumaris is trying to make the most of her holidays, when her mum asks her to spend a long weekend helping out at the airborne hospital where she works. Casey prefers the company of books to people, but she agrees, secretly planning to write an article about her visit for the school newspaper. With her trusty notebook at the ready, Casey arrives on board the airship. The staff are overworked as they prepare for the visit of an important official, while the patients react to grief, or deal with active trauma. In the midst of these and many other interlocking and overlapping stories, Casey spends time with the patients, learning about their lives, and, as the stories unfold, discovering what she can do to help.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. PSX Brasil
    Sep 19, 2022
    85
    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.
  2. Press Start Australia
    Sep 15, 2022
    85
    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.
  3. SpazioGames
    Sep 15, 2022
    85
    An experience that touches the soul and the heart, about the most precious present we can make to other people: our time.
  4. Twinfinite
    Sep 15, 2022
    80
    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.
  5. PLAY
    Oct 15, 2022
    80
    Playing like an interactive theatre experience, we’re won over by the huge heart of this production, even if the set doesn’t half wobble. [Issue#20, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PlayStation Country
    Sep 19, 2022
    80
    Wayward Strand is a lovely graphical adventure with the feel of a whodunit in some ways. The charming Aussie voice cast conveys a great sense of place, just as the design does a good job recreating that awkward waiting around in hospitals feeling. It's recommended by us, but it might not be your cup of tea either.
  7. PlayStation Universe
    Sep 16, 2022
    60
    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.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. AlexKS
    Sep 16, 2022
    10
    I just finished my first playthrough of Wayward Strand. What an absolutely lovely game, food for the soul. Will be returning for sure
  2. GIMBALJONES
    Sep 15, 2022
    9
    What is really good and interesting about this game, I'm halfway through, is that its *actually* cozy and not fake cozy that looks like anWhat is really good and interesting about this game, I'm halfway through, is that its *actually* cozy and not fake cozy that looks like an insurance ad or a pop up ad. This is a sweet, weird, comfortable environment full of people doing stuff. It's like the gaming opposite of the Backrooms? It feels like where you're supposed to be. Definitely some glitches and a weird save system bug a great experience so far.… Expand
  4. EXPsharePlus
    Dec 26, 2022
    8
    Ghost Pattern has been working on Wayward Strand since 2016, and now the interactive narrative video game is out in the world for everyone toGhost Pattern has been working on Wayward Strand since 2016, and now the interactive narrative video game is out in the world for everyone to enjoy. Birthed in Melbourne, Australia, Wayward Strand delivers a unique and heartfelt journey available now on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam (so everything, basically!).

    STORY

    It’s 1978, and 14-year old Casey Beaumaris, an aspiring journalist, travels with her mother to work on an airborne hospital on the coast of Australia. Casey is writing an article about the airship for her school newspaper all while assisting the nursing staff care for the elderly patients on board.

    This review will not contain any story spoilers for the residents of the hospital, as it will result in detriment to the overall experience. If you are going to play this game, it is best experienced without prior knowledge of the characters or plot.

    GAMEPLAY

    Ghost Pattern has achieved something I have never seen in a video game. I found myself overwhelmed at times with the complexity of multiple narratives unravelling at once. Every character in Wayward Strand has a narrative playing out even if you’re not in their presence. Unlike most games, a character’s story isn’t relying on you, the player, to advance the narrative. It makes the world feel so alive in a way I haven’t experienced before.

    I would be talking to Ida, a sweet elderly lady who very much reminds me of my late grandmother (RIP), and another patient would be slowly scooting past the room prompting me to quickly wrap up my conversation with Ida in fear of missing out on something. You will never be able to catch everything in one playthrough, this game is best served after multiple playthroughs.

    Each character you meet is from a different walk of life. The representation in this game is next level; different cultures, illnesses and ages which are usually underrepresented are present in this game. One of my favourite experiences in the game was Ted, an aboriginal character, teaching Casey about the aboriginal flag and briefly touching on the racism his people face daily.

    The attention to detail in each of the patient’s rooms is phenomenal. Before you even meet the patients you can tell exactly who they are just by their room. Nothing in the rooms are placed there to just ‘fill space’, everything is there for a reason – which is to tell a story. Ghost Pattern has managed to make these characters so personable, you have definitely met at least one of these characters in your everyday life.

    VISUALS AND AUDIO

    The art style is gorgeous. It has that aesthetic of the Australian children’s story books I read growing up. The music played throughout the game is perfect for the setting. I hadn’t thought about what a game based in 1970’s Australia should sound like, but this is it. The artwork and soundtrack are so complementary to each other, which uplifts the experience even more.

    If you’re Australian, you will recognise a number of the voice actors in Wayward Strand. You can catch iconic Australians such as Neighbours’ Anne Charleston, Wentworth’s Jennifer Vuletic, The Castle’s Michael Caton, Blue Heeler’s Jenny Seedsman, and more. Wayward Strand quite possibly has the best and most authentic Australian voice acting I’ve heard in a video game. All of the Australian imagery and sound will be quite comforting to any Australians playing this game.

    THE VERDICT

    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 on the horizon for Ghost Pattern.

    8.5/10    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

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