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

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 817 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

grinding70 negative mentions

Unique crafting mechanics that encourage exploration and experimentation.
Dynamic difficulty system that rewards sustainable actions and punishes destructive ones.
Active developer engagement with the community, leading to regular updates and improvements.

Steep learning curve that can be frustrating for new players.
Clunky UI and inventory management that can hinder gameplay.
Initial survival can be overly punishing, leading to frequent deaths and discouragement.

gameplay
176 mentions
20 % positive mentions
71 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Wayward is characterized by its deep crafting mechanics and survival elements, offering a unique blend of roguelike and sandbox experiences. While many players appreciate the complexity and challenge, they also note that the interface can be clunky and the learning curve steep, often leading to frustration, especially for newcomers. Overall, the game provides a rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its intricate systems, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its punishing mechanics and lack of intuitive guidance.
- “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 gameplay itself (default is turn-based) is enjoyable, though I can agree with some other reviews in that certain actions require too many clicks, especially those you do frequently.”
- “The mechanics in Wayward are deep and provide a satisfying experience when you finally figure something out.”
- “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.”
- “When you respawn, you will respawn on the verge of starvation, so your gameplay devolves into a cycle of trying to find food before you die and running to a central location to find it after you die.”
- “The game mechanics are clunky, there's very little instruction on how to do things that are necessary to survive, and nine times out of ten you'll die after one day either from thirst, hunger, or by some monster killing you.”
graphics
78 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are primarily described as simple pixel art, evoking nostalgia for retro gaming, which some players appreciate while others find lacking. While the visuals may not match the expectations set by promotional materials, they are often considered charming and fitting for the game's mechanics, with some reviewers noting that the graphics do not detract from the overall depth and gameplay experience. However, there are mixed opinions on the quality, with some players expressing a desire for improvement and others enjoying the minimalist aesthetic.
- “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 music is perfectly fitting for the game's style, the pixel graphics are easy on the eyes and quite charming.”
- “A great game, don't let the simple graphics fool you, it is extremely in depth and allows for massive freedom and tons of crafting.”
- “How tolerant are you of clunky controls and primitive graphics, and how much do you value player agency?”
- “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
70 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it tedious and overly complex due to the numerous clicks and menu navigation required for basic tasks. While some enjoy the skill progression and resource management, others feel that the game's realism leads to unnecessary grindiness, making survival feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable mechanics and frustrating grind, appealing primarily to those who appreciate a more hands-on, albeit tedious, survival experience.
- “Fully completing all the milestones is incredibly boring and tedious; if you're obsessed about completing and maxing out everything, there's pain ahead.”
- “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
47 mentions
53 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising its catchy and immersive soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the charming 8-bit style and the fitting melodies that complement the game's colorful graphics, although some note that the music can be overpowering or unfitting at times. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many stating it alone justifies the game's price.
- “Simply addicting... with a bomb ass soundtrack.”
- “The music is perfectly fitting for the game's style, the pixel graphics are easy on the eyes and quite charming.”
- “The soundtrack in this game is worth the cost at full price.”
- “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 it, which is constantly.”
- “I generally switch the music in games off.”
story
30 mentions
13 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily conveyed through journals and lore discovered during gameplay, creating a backdrop of supernatural elements on an island chain. However, many players feel that the narrative is underdeveloped, lacking a clear questline or satisfying conclusion, which detracts from the overall experience. While the survival mechanics are engaging, the absence of a robust storyline leaves some players wanting more depth and purpose in their adventures.
- “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.”
- “You got very simple mechanics but a very thought-through story and game progress.”
- “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
15 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
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 and fun, 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.”
- “Vastly in-depth crafting system, replayability, and challenge (if you'd like it to be).”
- “Which makes it very replayable, so I'm going to play it again when I have a writer's break.”
humor
8 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 invincible goats and the quirky interactions with the environment. Players find themselves in hilariously frustrating situations that lead to laughter, especially when discovering the game's odd mechanics and interactions. Overall, a good sense of humor is essential for enjoying the game's chaotic and entertaining gameplay.
- “The gameplay is very challenging at the start, and although frustrating at times, makes for a funny and entertaining game experience.”
- “Hardcore mode is set as default, but even if you switch to casual or custom and spawn in, you might just be instantly ganged up by a mob of goats that take no damage and lock you in from all sides. Even then, if you set the world to peaceful, there is no point in playing other than making funny caves and swimming around in the barren waters; you might as well just give in to the goats.”
- “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.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of frustration and determination in their emotional journey with the game, often feeling challenged by its mechanics. The struggle to grasp basic elements, like obtaining a branch, leads to feelings of inadequacy, yet the discovery of guides rekindles their confidence and motivation to continue. Overall, the experience mirrors the initial learning curve of other survival games, evoking nostalgia and a sense of perseverance.
- “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.”
- “In fact, I honestly only ever die from stupidity, e.g. touching poison ivy, going underground with low health, or at all, and of course eating unsafe food.”
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
150 % positive mentions
-150 % 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 significantly, making the game much more enjoyable.”
- “I appreciate the developers' efforts in optimizing the game, as it has made a noticeable difference in gameplay smoothness.”
- “The optimizations have really enhanced my experience, allowing me to enjoy all the elements of the game without lag.”
- “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.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is currently inconsistent, with some users reporting significant bugs and poor controls, while others have experienced a smoother experience in the browser alpha version. Overall, potential players are advised to wait for further improvements before purchasing.
- “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.”
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. The game focuses too much on grinding and not enough on creating a compelling narrative or character arcs that would make me care about the characters.”