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
- gameplay2,241 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wayfinder" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its engaging combat mechanics, satisfying progression, and visually appealing art style. While the core gameplay loop—consisting of dungeon crawling, boss fights, and character customization—has been described as fun and addictive, some players have noted issues with repetitiveness and a lack of depth in certain mechanics. Additionally, technical problems such as server instability and long queue times have marred the overall experience, leading to frustration among players eager to enjoy the game.
“Discovering all the nuances of the gameplay and mechanics feels wonderful, like little easter egg tributes to the good parts of other ARPGs/MMORPGs.”
“Gameplay is also 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.”
“I really want to enjoy this game, but the gameplay loop isn't satisfying.”
“The gameplay is serviceable, but really nothing special.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks innovation, leaving players with a sense of monotony rather than excitement.”
- story1,944 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in "Wayfinder" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and lacking depth, often describing it as a typical fantasy narrative filled with fetch quests and repetitive dungeon runs. While some appreciate the character backstories and voice acting, others criticize the disjointed quest design and the overwhelming amount of dialogue that detracts from gameplay. Overall, the story serves its purpose in guiding players through the game but fails to captivate or engage many, leading to a focus on the gameplay mechanics instead.
“Wayfinder is a captivating action RPG that combines stunning visuals, immersive storytelling, and dynamic combat.”
“The story is interesting, and they really like the word 'gloom'.”
“The story has some great foundations to it, and leaves plenty of room for further expansions and quests in the future.”
“The story is dull, the fights are not engaging.”
“The story itself felt standard for a post-catastrophe fantasy setting, with a lot of effort put into making the roguelike system diegetic, and it was all serviceable enough.”
“The story is pretty basic and it shows it was made as an MMORPG originally.”
- graphics1,530 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Wayfinder" have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant and stylized art style, reminiscent of games like "Darksiders" and "Wildstar." Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and character designs, noting that the visuals create an immersive and charming world. However, some users have reported performance issues, including frame drops and optimization challenges, which detract from the overall experience despite the game's aesthetic appeal.
“It's got a really great visual style with a ton of little graphical details (like the smoke from the explosion of one ability forming a skull).”
“The world is absolutely gorgeous with an art style that I think won't age for many years.”
“The art style is absolutely beautiful and it can easily shame every game released this year.”
“Empty sanitized poorly performing open world maps considering that the game has the visual aesthetics of a 12-year-old game.”
“First of all the game has the graphics of a phone game but it runs like garbage.”
“The graphics are colorful and don't distract from the gameplay itself.”
- optimization790 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from players, with many reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly in open-world areas and during combat. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to provide a smoother experience, especially for those on lower-end systems. Overall, players express hope for future patches to address these ongoing performance concerns.
“The performance is significantly improved, combat feels effortlessly smooth to carve through.”
“The game is well optimized and looks absolutely beautiful.”
“The performance got a huge boost.”
“Game is fine, but the performance and constant freezing/stuttering (especially in combat) is making it unplayable for me.”
“The game suffers from frequent stuttering and crashes.”
“The optimization needs some serious tweaking, so I put it down until it can be optimized.”
- grinding671 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 mechanic and a potential source of frustration. While some enjoy the repetitive nature of dungeon crawling and loot farming, likening it to other grind-heavy games like Warframe, others find it tedious and overly reliant on RNG for rewards. Overall, the game offers a satisfying grind for those who appreciate loot collection and character progression, but it may not appeal to players who dislike repetitive gameplay.
“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 game is structured around grinding out dungeons and bosses for loot, all set in three different overworlds.”
“Also, the game focus is on boss farming which is the fun part of the game but you will be spending all of your time in lost zones farming for resources so you can enhance your gear so you can fight bosses in hunts and the cycle repeats each time you move ever so slowly in your power rating to make the bare minimum requirements so you can fight the bosses without getting one-shotted.”
“The grind is tedious and boring.”
- monetization401 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The monetization model of Wayfinder has undergone a significant transformation, with all microtransactions removed following its relaunch. Players appreciate the shift to a buy-once model that allows for full access to content without the burden of predatory monetization practices, such as pay-to-win mechanics or battle passes. This change has been widely praised as a refreshing departure from the typical monetization strategies seen in many modern games, making Wayfinder a standout option for those seeking a more traditional gaming experience.
“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.”
“No microtransactions, no paywalls, no FOMO, and season passes.”
“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.”
“The developers are now forced to change monetization from a cash-grab f2p clusterfuck that's optimized to fill the pockets of publishers to a healthy pay-once own forever single-player with optional co-op model.”
- stability258 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues such as frame drops and freezes, particularly in multiplayer and co-op modes. While some users have noted improvements over time and found the game enjoyable despite its flaws, many others describe it as a "buggy mess" that can be frustratingly unplayable at times. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential, it remains in a rough state, especially for those who are sensitive to technical issues.
“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.”
“The game looks beautiful and runs great for me, I really hope the devs get the support they need to continue with some updates since this was a great move for the game.”
“The game is currently still pretty buggy, but it's also full of potential.”
“It's a buggy mess, with constant disconnects and glitches that make the experience nearly unplayable.”
“The game is a buggy mess even without the loading screens.”
- music253 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others find it repetitive or forgettable. Some players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as beautiful and immersive, while others note a lack of variety across different areas. Overall, the music is generally appreciated for its quality, but some players feel it could benefit from more diversity and engagement during gameplay.
“The music is beautiful and the crunch and clang of battle feels meaty and adds weight to the superb combat animations.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and really enhances the gameplay.”
“With engaging exploration, a vibrant world, and a memorable soundtrack, Wayfinder is a must-play for fans of the genre.”
“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.”
- replayability74 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, enhanced by diverse character classes, extensive customization options, and various modifiers for dungeons that keep gameplay fresh. While some players note that it may not be infinitely replayable, the combination of engaging combat, loot collection, and cooperative multiplayer elements provides enough content to keep players entertained for many hours. However, a few reviews express concerns about potential monotony after repeated runs, suggesting that while replayability is strong, it may not sustain long-term engagement for all players.
“The combat feels great, the crafting and skill trees are not overwhelming, the art style is pleasant, and the characters offer enough variety that it has replay value.”
“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 a mix of intentional comedic elements, such as quirky character combinations and amusing cutscenes, alongside unintentional humor stemming from server issues and bugs. Players find the contrast between the game's chaotic state and its attempts at humor both entertaining and frustrating, often leading to laughter at the developers' missteps. Overall, while the game has its funny moments, much of the humor arises from the absurdity of its early access challenges and community interactions.
“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 attempts at humor often fall flat and feel forced.”
“I expected more clever jokes, but most of the humor is just juvenile.”
- atmosphere44 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 32 % 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.”
- emotional36 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that the story lacks depth and fails to create a genuine emotional connection. While some side stories and moments resonate, overall, the narrative is criticized for being boring and underdeveloped, leaving players feeling uninvested. However, there are isolated instances of emotional engagement, particularly in character interactions and nostalgic elements, which some players found touching amidst the game's shortcomings.
“Oh and I 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 game feels really lazy, and the only time they seem to have spent was on the insanely boring story and endless dialogue with NPCs straight out of Jak and Daxter.”
“The questline is very basic with just simple fetch mechanics and a boring storyline that doesn't excite me to progress.”
“Bad and boring story and the worst storytelling ever...”