Wayward

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Wayward is a challenging, turn-based roguelike game set in a fantasy open world, with a focus on simulation, exploration, and discovery. The game features random environment generation, permadeath, and a wide range of items, creatures, and skills to interact with, craft, and combat. Its sandbox survival gameplay and complex skill system make it highly replayable and appealing to fans of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 946 reviews

gameplay44 positive mentions

grinding77 negative mentions

Challenging and rewarding gameplay that encourages learning from mistakes.
Deep crafting system with a wide variety of items and recipes to discover.
Active developer support with regular updates and community engagement.

Steep learning curve that can be frustrating for new players.
Clunky and unintuitive UI that makes inventory management tedious.
Difficulty spikes can lead to frequent and unfair deaths, especially in the early game.

gameplay
212 mentions
21 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this survival crafting game is characterized by its deep mechanics and a steep learning curve, requiring players to navigate complex crafting systems and survival needs like hunger and thirst. While many players appreciate the unique turn-based mechanics and dynamic difficulty adjustments through the malignity system, others find the interface clunky and the gameplay overly complicated, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its intricacies, but it may not appeal to newcomers or those seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “Gameplay before graphics.”
- “I definitely recommend watching some review footage to pick up some basics, but apart from that, learn, discover, fail, do it again unspoiled for the optimal gameplay loop.”
- “A lovingly crafted and relatively unique take on the survival genre with its turn-based mechanics and enough options that can keep you safe if you're scared of permadeath.”
- “The biggest issue with the game is that hardcore + slow grind mechanics is a problematic combination, and the late endgame devolves into an endless grind that isn't really fun.”
- “It's too cagey with the mechanics and refuses to tell you crafting recipes until you have literally everything to craft the item in question.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, easy, and uninteresting.”
graphics
93 mentions
31 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel art style that evokes nostalgia, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics. While some players appreciate the simplicity and polish of the visuals, others criticize them as primitive or lacking depth compared to modern standards. Overall, the graphics serve the gameplay well, with many reviewers noting that the art style complements the game's mechanics, despite some wishing for improvements.
- “A charming, open world sandbox-build-adventure game with a great pixel art style, lovingly crafted by the dev who streams regularly on Twitch under the name Drathy.”
- “Don't let the pixels fool you; this game is a hidden gem with layers of depth and intricate details that go beyond its simple aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are even more beautiful, in all their pixely glory, the 8-bit music is still adventurous and lends an aura of wonder and imagination, and the gameplay is better streamlined.”
- “If you need AAA graphics, constant updates, and an adrenaline-pumping combat system, this game is not going to deliver.”
- “Graphics: 3/10 (have seen much better in RPG Maker clones)”
- “I wasn't expecting much when I came in - all I wanted was a survival roguelike with minimally modern graphics and user interface, yet Wayward still left me disappointed.”
grinding
77 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and overly complex due to the extensive micromanagement and crafting systems. While some enjoy the depth and realism that comes with grinding skills and resources, others find the repetitive nature of tasks and the cumbersome interface detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a grind-heavy experience that may appeal to fans of survival mechanics but can feel burdensome for those seeking a more streamlined gameplay.
- “Honestly, it's more of a farming/grinding game than a traditional roguelike.”
- “The game feels like everything that is 'action' oriented is tedious, and is trying far too hard to push a 'no helping hand will be given' mentality.”
- “Everything feels like such a hassle to accomplish, and not because it's difficult to do, but because the process to do anything is tedious and annoying due to the interface and crafting system.”
music
63 mentions
54 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its chiptune style and how well it complements the gameplay. The soundtrack is described as phenomenal, addictive, and even worth the game's price on its own, enhancing the overall experience with its charm and fitting atmosphere. However, some players noted that the music can become repetitive and occasionally unfitting, suggesting a desire for more ambient tracks to balance the experience.
- “The soundtrack in this game is worth the cost at full price.”
- “The music is perfectly fitting for the game's style, the pixel graphics are easy on the eyes and quite charming.”
- “The music is actually fantastic.”
- “One thing I will say is that the music is extremely unfitting at times; maybe some more ambient, soft music would help.”
- “Music is alright overall, but I felt it was overpoweringly melodic for how often you're going to be hearing it, which is constantly.”
- “Minecraft's system of having more atmospheric music playing only occasionally would work better for this game, in my opinion.”
story
41 mentions
12 % positive mentions
80 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily conveyed through scattered journals left by previous shipwrecked individuals, creating a backdrop of supernatural forces affecting the island chain. While players can craft their own narratives through exploration and survival, many reviewers feel the overall story is underdeveloped and lacks a clear questline or satisfying conclusion. The tutorial system is seen as inadequate, often leaving players confused and struggling to progress, which detracts from the potential for a richer storytelling experience.
- “A background narrative is built through finding the journals left behind by other shipwrecked individuals that came before you, building a story of an island chain affected by supernatural forces and creating a mystical 'Bermuda Triangle' effect.”
- “You can't just start and win in the first run, as you need to unlock recipes; the story progresses as you collect books of people that were here before you.”
- “The starter quest works very well in introducing the player to the mechanics of surviving as well as the crafting system, and a large part of the fun is in experimenting with what you can find and craft in the world.”
- “Personally speaking, there's far too much time investment, an excruciating level of grind (I'm anti-grind period, if it isn't naturally accomplished in the game, and Wayward is all grind all the time), essentially zero story from what I can see and have experienced (I'm huge on story and character development, why else would you invest into a fictional world? If you just want to work... well, real life fits that plenty), and unfortunately because of how much there is to the crafting system and the game, the controls and UI are too cumbersome for me.”
- “Wayward drops you into the game with little backstory and a lack of a questline.”
- “With a lack of developed story or any real reason to play other than the stress of countless decisions, I think the game needs more development for a purposeful story or encounters with missions.”
replayability
17 mentions
53 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, with users praising its depth, extensive crafting system, and challenging gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers highlight the vast content and exploration opportunities, making it a worthwhile experience that keeps players returning. Overall, the game is considered to offer significant replay value, especially for fans of roguelike survival crafters.
- “This game has an impressive depth and replayability.”
- “All in all, great game with days and days of content and exploration, not to mention the replayability factor.”
- “Amazing amount of content and replayability for the price!”
- “If you like roguelike survival crafters, pixel art and lots of challenge and replayability then this is your game.”
- “For $7.99 you are getting quite a bit of content and replayability in a package that will likely only improve as time goes on.”
- “Which makes it very replayable, so I will go play it again when I have a writer's break.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and unexpected challenges, such as being overwhelmed by invulnerable goats and the quirky interactions with the environment, which lead to amusing situations. Players find themselves laughing at the game's unpredictable mechanics and the necessity of maintaining a lighthearted attitude while navigating its difficulties. Overall, the humor is a blend of slapstick and irony, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- “They all give you both hunger and hydration, to the point that you'll have *too much* food and water if you collect seeds; it's actually funny.”
- “I gotta admit, it is funny.”
- “As with many roguelikes, this game needs to be approached with a good sense of humor and a bit of an inner masochist.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of frustration and determination in their emotional experiences with the game, often feeling overwhelmed by its mechanics and struggling to grasp basic elements like gathering resources. Despite initial setbacks and feelings of inadequacy, many find renewed confidence through guides and tutorials, highlighting a journey of learning and perseverance akin to their early experiences with other survival games. Overall, the emotional journey reflects a blend of challenge, self-doubt, and eventual empowerment as players navigate the game's complexities.
- “Wayward is a very slow and grindy survival roguelike that really made me feel like Minecraft way back when I didn't know how to play Minecraft.”
- “I decided not to follow the tutorial right away at the start, although it was helpful it made me feel like I was rushing for goals I wasn’t ready for yet.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report a lack of bugs and a well-made experience, others highlight issues with controls and menus, suggesting that the game still feels incomplete. Players are advised to approach with caution, as it may not yet meet expectations for a polished experience.
- “Not in the sense that it's buggy or incomplete, but there are corners of the game that still need to be filled, in my opinion.”
- “To be fair, this game looks really interesting (and could become a quality game someday), but for now, unless you want to play a simple, buggy game with horrible controls and menus, I would take a wait-and-see approach to this game.”
- “When I played the browser alpha, it wasn't as good, but I can assure you that I have not come across any bugs or glitches. It's really well made; trust me, it's worth buying.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its occasional, soothing music, which creates a deceptive sense of security that contrasts sharply with the challenges players face, such as resource management and unexpected threats. This musical choice enriches the game world, making it feel more immersive and dynamic.
- “It lulls you into a false sense of security with its easy-going music and atmosphere, and before you know it, you're overencumbered and tired, thirsty and running from a giant rat.”
- “Minecraft's system of having more atmospheric music playing only occasionally would work better for this game, in my opinion.”
- “It lulls you into a false sense of security with its easy-going music and atmosphere, and before you know it, you're overencumbered and tired, thirsty, and running from a giant rat.”
- “It coats the game in an atmosphere that seems to flesh out the game world in a way that it wouldn't be otherwise.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant lag issues despite recent updates aimed at improving performance. Many feel that the game's potential is hindered by these optimization problems, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
- “The recent optimizations have improved performance, but I still experience significant lag due to the amount of content in my game.”
- “This game has every element I'd want in a game if I made it myself, but the optimization issues are holding it back.”
- “The big negative to this game is that it's horribly optimized.”
- “I think I have too much stuff going on in my game as it lags an absurd amount still, even with the recent optimizations. It's a shame because this game has every element I'd want in a game if I made it myself, which I cannot currently do.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being overshadowed by excessive grinding and a lack of engaging story elements, leaving players feeling that their investment in the fictional world is not rewarded. The cumbersome controls and user interface further detract from the experience, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters.
- “There's far too much time investment and an excruciating level of grind. There's essentially zero story from what I can see and have experienced. I'm huge on story and character development; why else would you invest in a fictional world? If you just want to work, well, real life fits that plenty.”
- “The character development feels non-existent, and the lack of engaging storylines makes it hard to connect with the characters. It seems like the game prioritizes grind over meaningful interactions.”
- “I found the character development to be lacking depth. The focus on grinding detracts from any potential growth or story arcs that could have made the characters more relatable.”