Wayfinder
- August 17, 2023
- Airship Syndicate
- 9h median play time
Wayfinder is a third-person action-adventure game set in a vivid fantasy world. Assemble your airship, recruit crew members, and embark on a journey to uncover the truth about your past. Engage in real-time combat, solve puzzles, and build relationships with your crew to become a successful wayfinder.
Reviews
- gameplay2,231 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wayfinder" has received a mix of praise and criticism, with many players highlighting its engaging combat mechanics and satisfying gameplay loop reminiscent of titles like "Warframe." While the art style and character diversity are appreciated, some players find the gameplay repetitive and grind-heavy, particularly in the context of farming for upgrades and loot. Technical issues, such as server stability and long queue times, have marred the experience for many, but those who manage to play often describe the core gameplay as fun and rewarding, with potential for future improvements.
“Gameplay is magnificent; every weapon feels really great to use, and all of them feel different when you use them.”
“The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, with satisfying combat mechanics and a rewarding loot system that keeps you coming back for more.”
“The combat is incredibly satisfying—each wayfinder feels distinct, and experimenting with their abilities kept the gameplay fresh.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and lacks innovation, leaving players with a sense of monotony rather than excitement.”
“The core gameplay mechanics, although sometimes overshadowed by technical issues, showcase glimpses of engaging combat, character progression, and intriguing exploration.”
“The gameplay feels like a treasure hunt gone awry, with unresponsive controls and a lack of meaningful content, leaving the hefty price tag adrift in the sea of buyer's remorse.”
- story1,919 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in "Wayfinder" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it shallow and lacking depth. While some appreciate the engaging world and character backstories, others criticize the quest design as repetitive and uninspired, often involving tedious fetch quests and backtracking. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a vehicle for gameplay progression rather than a compelling experience, leading many to skip dialogue and focus on the action-oriented gameplay instead.
“The story has a nice premise but isn't as engaging as a regular RPG, and the missions are basically 'clear this dungeon' and 'kill this boss', so don't get this game expecting a Bethesda-level story.”
“The story is interesting, however not very deep or the main attraction point, but the characters are interesting and it is fun collecting their story shards slowly and learning more about them.”
“The story is there to introduce mechanics and unlock areas, not for a deep RPG experience, which is fine because we're here for the action anyway.”
“The soundtrack, art design, quality of life features, and gameplay loop are all major highlights for me while the story feels mostly shallow and uneventful.”
“The story could use a bit of polish, maybe a few lines here and there of writing to make it more emotionally engaging (yes, the world got destroyed by the gloom, but why would I care about it? Here is where they can include more about characters and people).”
“The story is dull, the fights are not engaging.”
- graphics1,520 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Wayfinder" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, which many reviewers liken to a blend of "World of Warcraft," "Darksiders," and "Fortnite." Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed environments, and the overall aesthetic that enhances the immersive experience, despite some noting performance issues and optimization challenges. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a significant strength, contributing to its appeal and enjoyment.
“The art style is absolutely beautiful and it can easily shame every game released this year.”
“The world is absolutely gorgeous with an art style that I think won't age for many years.”
“The graphics are stunning, the soundtrack is enchanting, and the attention to detail is commendable.”
“Empty sanitized poorly performing open world maps considering that the game has the visual aesthetics of a 12-year-old game.”
“First, I really like the art style so much and switching to another wayfinder is like playing an alt almost and makes it a new and fresh experience.”
“The graphics are colorful and don't distract from the gameplay itself.”
- optimization785 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly in open-world areas. While some players have noted improvements following updates, the consensus is that further optimization is needed to enhance the overall experience, especially for those using high-end hardware. Overall, while the game shows potential, its current state is marred by optimization challenges that detract from gameplay enjoyment.
“The performance has improved significantly, allowing for a much smoother gameplay experience.”
“Despite some performance issues, the game is still enjoyable and shows great potential for future updates.”
“The game runs smoothly now, with better optimization and a more stable experience compared to earlier versions.”
“The game suffers from frequent stuttering and crashes.”
“The optimization needs some serious tweaking, so I put it down until it can be optimized.”
“Performance wise, there's been quite a few times I've dropped frame rates significantly to the point I couldn't even see what was happening, pretty much the only gripe I have with the game is that some areas are really heavy to load.”
- grinding666 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant focus, with many players noting it as both a core feature and a potential drawback. While some enjoy the repetitive nature of dungeon crawling and resource farming, finding it relaxing and rewarding, others feel it can become tedious and overly time-consuming, especially when tied to RNG mechanics for drops. Overall, the game appeals to fans of grind-heavy RPGs, but may not satisfy those looking for a more varied or less grind-centric experience.
“Not too grindy, story is okay but gameplay is where it's at.”
“Very fun game, the coop is smooth and I enjoy the flexibility in the build variety and the different bosses. The grind is not too tedious and actually feels fun to break past a blockade in the form of a hard boss.”
“The crafting isn't as grindy as in Warframe and the loot drops are frequent like in Destiny, allowing for a steady growth in your character.”
“The grinding is far more manageable and all the microtransactions have been removed.”
“The game is massively grindy, so you do that same thing over and over and over.”
“The grind is tedious and boring.”
- monetization400 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The monetization model of Wayfinder has undergone a significant transformation, with all microtransactions and predatory elements removed following its relaunch. Players appreciate the shift to a buy-once model that allows for all content to be unlocked through gameplay, eliminating the frustrations commonly associated with free-to-play games. This change has been widely praised as a refreshing departure from the industry's trend of aggressive monetization, making Wayfinder a standout title for those seeking a more traditional gaming experience without the burden of in-game purchases.
“Great co-op, ARPG fun with an interesting art style and refreshing absence of microtransactions.”
“Wayfinder delivers robust content without leaning on microtransactions, making it a standout for fans of co-op RPGs.”
“The developers saved this game from the greed and microtransactions of digital extremes.”
“Wayfinder is a great reminder of how monetization can suck all the fun from our games.”
“The game essentially boils down to a single-player version of an instance-based MMO, just without the predatory microtransactions.”
“This game went from a money-hungry cash grab to a fully fledged enjoyable experience.”
- stability259 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent glitches, lag, and crashes, particularly in multiplayer and co-op modes. While some users have noted improvements and enjoyable gameplay once in the game, the overall experience remains marred by significant performance issues and bugs, especially given its early access status. Players are advised to temper their expectations and consider waiting for further updates before diving in.
“The game runs great now and I'm having a surprising amount of fun.”
“This is the best $22 you can spend on a game, don't let early access worry you, this game has a ton of content, has run bug-free for me, and feels extremely polished.”
“In dungeons, the game runs great and I have no issues (170fps).”
“The game is a buggy mess even without the loading screens.”
“Game constantly locks up during loading zones, 50% of the time the game freezes to a point where it won't let me reload my weapon and none of the mobs attack or die.”
“It's so buggy it's frustrating.”
- music249 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed response from players, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others find it repetitive or forgettable. Highlights include a beautiful soundtrack that complements the game's visuals and gameplay, though some players noted a lack of diversity in tracks across different areas. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to immersion and enjoyment.
“I found myself pausing just to take in the scenery or appreciate the soundtrack, which perfectly complements the atmosphere.”
“The music is beautiful and the crunch and clang of battle feels meaty and adds weight to the superb combat animations.”
“The combination of gorgeous visuals, nostalgic soundtrack, and thrilling gameplay makes this a game you’ll want to return to time and time again.”
“The music is fine, just fine.”
“Specifically, the music - there appears to be a single track per area that runs in a loop and it gets tedious after a while.”
“There is a lack of combat themes/music when in combat; there needs to be high-octane music that kicks in when fighting mini-bosses/bosses, something to get your blood pumping.”
- replayability73 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its diverse character classes, extensive customization options, and the introduction of modifiers for dungeons that keep gameplay fresh. Players appreciate the variety of content, including re-playable dungeons, cooperative multiplayer features, and a wealth of loot, which contribute to an engaging experience. However, some users express concerns about potential monotony after repeated runs and the need for more diverse environments to sustain long-term interest.
“The game is entertaining and offers endless replayability with a variety of modifiers and open worlds.”
“Great combat, huge amount of content, and replayability with many progression routes.”
“The branching dialogue options and multiple paths to explore ensure that each playthrough feels unique, catering to players who thrive on replayability.”
“If you have a couple of friends, you will have a great time exploring and questing, but don't expect replayability of any kind.”
“Overall, it's a fun game, but I don't see it having much replayability once you beat all of the bosses.”
“Has potential, but replayability is not very high as you get bored easily after a few rounds of dungeon runs, unless you're the type of person that likes to do repeatable dungeon runs.”
- character development70 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the engaging progression systems and customization options, while others criticize the character designs as inconsistent or unattractive. Although the gameplay and combat mechanics are generally praised, the storytelling and depth of character development are seen as somewhat limited, particularly due to the game's MMO-lite nature. Overall, while the character designs and development have their strengths, they also face significant scrutiny from players.
“Character development is another area where Wayfinder shines.”
“The storyline, character development, and intricate world-building contribute to an immersive experience that is going to keep me coming back for more.”
“Despite this narrative hitch, Wayfinder has evolved into a captivating open-world adventure with stunning landscapes, engaging character development, and a flourishing online community, all thanks to the substantial improvements in server stability.”
“It might be a little limited in terms of story and character development due to the MMO-lite nature of Wayfinder.”
“The human character designs, especially the fact that you are limited to preset 'heroes', feel pretty generic.”
“While the gameplay and character development have seen substantial improvements since launch, the storytelling aspect still faces challenges.”
- humor47 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional comedic elements and unintentional hilarity stemming from its technical issues and community interactions. Players find amusement in the absurdity of character combinations, quirky emotes, and the game's chaotic state, often comparing it favorably to other titles with less appealing humor. Overall, while the game has its flaws, many reviewers appreciate the lightheartedness and comedic moments that arise from both gameplay and server challenges.
“It's funny to see Steam report my played time as 5.1 hours, when in reality I've played about 30 minutes, with the remainder being the time spent in the queue waiting to log in... that part isn't great.”
“I found it funny when, during the mission to unlock the player home, the quest giver says, 'Sorry that it's a little cramped,' when it's actually the opposite!”
“The game itself is good; it's definitely early access as in certain NPC models are all the same, and there may be a few funny bugs here and there, but the only game-breaking issue would be the occasional disconnect, once again a server issue.”
“That said, this game doesn't have the cringe-worthy humor found in other titles.”
“The jokes fall flat and often feel forced, lacking any real wit or charm.”
“I expected a lot more laughs, but the humor is stale and uninspired.”
- atmosphere42 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, enchanting art direction, and immersive soundtrack, which together create a captivating and engaging world. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and the fluidity of gameplay, noting that the atmospheric elements enhance the overall experience, even if some aspects feel a bit empty due to limited multiplayer features. Overall, the combination of visual aesthetics, music, and world design contributes to a highly enjoyable and atmospheric gaming experience.
“I found myself pausing just to take in the scenery or appreciate the soundtrack, which perfectly complements the atmosphere.”
“The overall atmosphere is enchanting, and the collecting and character/weapon customization and upgrade systems are rewarding.”
“The environments are beautifully designed, each area teeming with detail and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere indeed is a bit empty because of the lack of multiplayer aspect.”
“Both main quest and side quests are completely average 'talk to NPC and bring something back' and serve more as a distraction than building the atmosphere.”
“With skins being exponentially more exaggerated and possibly breaking the atmosphere of the game in the future.”
- emotional35 mentions
- 89 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players finding moments of genuine connection and nostalgia, particularly in side stories and character interactions. However, many criticize the main storyline as underdeveloped and lacking emotional depth, leading to a sense of disconnection from the characters and their struggles. Overall, while there are touching elements, the game's narrative fails to consistently engage players on an emotional level.
“Oh and got emotional over a random robot watcher (at least I think he was a robot) and his husband trying to make their marriage work in an impossible world, so 10/10 just for that honestly.”
“The storyline of 'Wayfinder' is both compelling and emotionally charged.”
“This community spirit, coupled with the dedication of the development team, has transformed a rough start into a heartwarming success story.”
“The questline is very basic with just simple fetch mechanics and a boring storyline that doesn't excite me to progress.”
“I have played MMOs such as EverQuest, WoW + Classic, FFXIV, TERA, etc. This game is just a weird in-between with a boring story and gameplay loop... would not recommend.”
“Bad and boring story and the worst storytelling ever...”