Wayward Strand (2022)

Ghost Pattern

Main
4
hours
Main + Extra
4
hours
Platinum
6
hours

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.

About the story

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. Explore A Living World Within the world of Wayward Strand, time passes for everyone - characters continue their lives without waiting for you to interact with them. In Wayward Strand’s unique narrative structure, the stories of over a dozen characters constantly unfold around you in real time, as you, as Casey, roam freely throughout each day. Choose which story to be a part of by following people, having conversations, and exploring the hospital. The hospital’s residents are an eclectic cast of characters – some charming, some eccentric, some rude – each with their own desires, goals and imaginations. Every character moves and acts of their own accord, at their own pace, on their own timeline - sharing news with each other, arguing, joking, gossiping - or having a chat with Casey when she comes by. Every playthrough gives you the opportunity to discover something you didn’t see previously - what you missed the first time, you might see the second, third, or fifth time around. Your Journey When you see someone, you can follow them, to see where they go and what they get up to. You can eavesdrop on peoples’ conversations, or come into the room and be a part of the discussion. Spending time with particular characters will lead you to new storylines, locations, revelations and resolutions. As the journalist for her school newspaper, Casey keeps track of events and information in her notebook. Players use Casey’s notebook to delve deeper into peoples’ stories, to make new discoveries, and to piece together mysteries.

Platforms

Switch PC PS4 PS5 XONE Series X|S

Genres

Adventure Indie Role-playing (RPG) Simulator

Themes

Drama Historical Mystery

Languages: English

Interface Audio Subtitles
English

Media

Critic Reviews

GamesCreed

By Juan Carlos Ortiz
80

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 that’s got more of a story than “point and shoot”, Wayward Strand is a perfect choice to fill those spots.

03 Nov, 2022 Read full review

Digitally Downloaded

By Matt Sainsbury
100

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 how admirable I find this effort to be.

18 Oct, 2022 Read full review

FingerGuns

By Sean Davies
80

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 experience something different and unique to them. It has a few visual bugs but they do little to detract from this game’s strong narrative core.

16 Oct, 2022 Read full review

Gameffine

By Subhasish Das
80

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 the game’s replayability. It may not stick the landing in the early hours but if you hold on to it for longer, it will not disappoint you.

13 Oct, 2022 Read full review

GBAtemp

By Prans Dunn
85

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

10 Oct, 2022 Read full review

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