Wayward

About

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.

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 984 reviews

gameplay48 positive mentions

grinding83 negative mentions

Wayward offers a unique blend of survival and roguelike mechanics, providing a challenging yet rewarding experience.
The game features a deep crafting system with a wide variety of items and recipes to discover, enhancing replayability.
The developers are responsive to community feedback and regularly update the game, showing a commitment to improvement and player engagement.

The learning curve is steep, making it difficult for new players to get started without extensive trial and error or external guides.
The user interface can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration when managing inventory and crafting.
The reputation system can feel punishing, as actions that are necessary for survival can negatively impact gameplay by spawning tougher enemies.

gameplay
228 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
71%
8%
The gameplay of Wayward is characterized by its deep and intricate mechanics, particularly in crafting and survival, which can be both rewarding and challenging for players. While many appreciate the unique turn-based system and the dynamic difficulty influenced by player actions, others find the interface clunky and the learning curve steep, often leading to frustration. Overall, the game offers a rich experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its complexities, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its grindy nature and lack of hand-holding for newcomers.
- “The game’s mechanics are impressively deep, yet accessible.”
- “The attention to detail is remarkable, with mechanics like item durability, realistic crafting, and even subtle interactions between objects that make the world feel alive and immersive.”
- “Wayward's customizable gameplay settings allow for modifying difficulty so that you can simply learn from your numerous deaths, start out slow and turn up the heat as you learn, or create a safe haven to sandbox build yourself a farm or something.”
- “This game has heavy emphasis on survival with unique in-game mechanics such as malignity and benignity, which alter the difficulty dynamically as you develop, craft, fight, etc.”
- “The biggest issue with the game is that hardcore and slow grind mechanics is a problematic combination, and the late endgame devolves into endless grind that isn't really fun.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, easy, and uninteresting.”
graphics
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic gaming, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics. While some players appreciate the simplicity and polish of the visuals, others criticize them as basic or outdated, suggesting that the graphics may not meet the expectations of those seeking high-end visuals. Overall, the graphics serve the gameplay well, complementing the game's depth and mechanics, though opinions vary widely on their quality and appeal.
- “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: 5/10 - they could really use improvement.”
- “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
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious due to the complex crafting systems, micromanagement, and repetitive tasks required for survival. While some appreciate the depth and realism that comes with grinding skills and resources, others feel that the mechanics can become frustrating and detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is described as grindy, with a significant emphasis on farming and resource management, which may appeal to players who enjoy such challenges but can be off-putting for those seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “This game was fun before, but in recent updates they changed the mechanics around crafting and made it a lot more grindy. On top of that, the game has become a lot more unstable and keeps crashing.”
- “Doing basic tasks becomes very tedious due to the excessive number of clicks required - choosing which hand(s) to use for a task, using dropdown menus to select what you want to do, sorting your inventory, reordering tools and crafting items in your inventory to change which ones get used... very fiddly, and not in a satisfying way.”
- “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 because the interface and crafting just don't feel satisfying or intuitive with the way they're set up right now.”
music
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many players praising its charming and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, often described as a mix of lofi vibes and chiptune, is noted for being both enjoyable and fitting for the game's style, making it a highlight for many players. However, some users mentioned that the music can become repetitive over time and suggested a need for more ambient tracks to balance the experience.
- “Major props to the soundtrack - I get instant serotonin upon loading up the game and hearing the music start.”
- “The retro-style pixel art is charming, and the atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s tone.”
- “The music is perfectly fitting for the game's style, the pixel graphics are easy on the eyes and quite charming.”
- “One thing I will say is that the music is extremely unfitting at times; maybe some more ambient, soft music.”
- “Music is alright overall, but I felt it was overpoweringly melodic for how often you're going to be hearing them, which is constantly.”
- “Minecraft's system of having more atmospheric music playing only occasionally would work better for this game, in my opinion.”
story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
8%
The game's story is primarily conveyed through journals left by previous shipwrecked individuals, creating a backdrop of supernatural forces affecting the island chain. However, players find the narrative lacking depth and clarity, with many expressing a desire for a more structured questline and a satisfying conclusion. While the world is intriguing and encourages exploration, the overall storytelling feels minimal, often overshadowed by the game's survival mechanics and grind.
- “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/craft in the world.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
The game is praised for its high replayability, offering extensive content, a deep crafting system, and various challenges that encourage players to return. Many users highlight the enjoyable experience of exploring and crafting, with some rating its replayability as high as 8/10. Overall, it provides significant value for its price, making it a compelling choice for fans of roguelike survival games.
- “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 play it again when I have a writer's break.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurd and unexpected scenarios, such as being overwhelmed by invulnerable goats and the quirky interactions with the environment, which lead to amusing discoveries. Players appreciate the need for a lighthearted approach, as the game's challenges often result in funny situations that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the blend of humor and gameplay creates a uniquely entertaining atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
- “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.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's retro-style pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack create a charming and immersive environment, enhancing the overall experience. While some players suggest a more sporadic use of music, the current easy-going tones effectively build tension, lulling players into a false sense of security before introducing challenges. This combination enriches the game world, making it feel more fleshed out and engaging.
- “The retro-style pixel art is charming, and the atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s tone.”
- “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 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.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of frustration and determination in their emotional experiences with the game, often feeling overwhelmed by its mechanics initially. Many describe a journey of self-discovery and learning, where following guides helps rebuild their confidence, despite moments of feeling inadequate or lost. The game's slow and grindy nature evokes nostalgia for early gaming challenges, reminiscent of their first experiences with titles like Minecraft.
- “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 Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 require further development to reach its full potential.
- “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.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
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 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 could use further improvement.”
- “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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is noted for its solid and diverse mechanics, but players express frustration over excessive grinding and a lack of engaging story elements. The lengthy investment required for character progression detracts from the overall experience, particularly for those who prioritize narrative and character depth in their gaming.
- “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 in a fictional world? If you just want to work, well, real life fits that plenty.”
- “After playing through a lengthy development process, some mechanics have changed, but the core exploration and character development remains solid and diverse.”