We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip

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We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a multiplayer casual action adventure game. It was developed by Total Mayhem Games and was released on September 14, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a communication-based puzzle game where you and a friend must work together to solve challenges and escape a deserted island. The state of your friendship is put to the test as you encounter puzzles on a mysterious boat ride in an abandoned amusement park. Your performance is graded, adding a competitive element to the game. This is the first installment in the We Were Here Expedition series.

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We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip screenshot

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,450 reviews

gameplay51 positive mentions

stability33 negative mentions

Fun and engaging puzzles that require good communication and teamwork.
Charming graphics and a lighthearted atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience.
Short playtime makes it a great option for a casual gaming session with a friend.

The game is very short, with only three puzzles, which may leave players wanting more.
Some puzzles, particularly the second one, rely heavily on RNG, which can be frustrating.
Technical issues, such as lag and bugs, can disrupt gameplay and lead to a less enjoyable experience.

gameplay
181 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The gameplay of "We Were Here Expeditions: The Friendship" is centered around cooperative puzzle-solving that emphasizes communication and teamwork, making it engaging and enjoyable for players. However, many reviews highlight issues such as bugs, clunky mechanics, and a notably short playtime of around 1.5 to 3 hours, which leaves players wanting more. Despite these drawbacks, the game is praised for its innovative mechanics and charming atmosphere, appealing particularly to fans of the series.
- “We were here expeditions: the friendship delivers a fresh cooperative puzzle experience with the series’ signature teamwork-focused gameplay.”
- “Gameplay centers on pairs of asymmetrical puzzles that require both players to convey what they see, hear, or do in order to progress.”
- “The gameplay is all about teamwork—two players communicate through walkie-talkies to solve puzzles, fostering a deep sense of connection and collaboration.”
- “Talking a bit further on network connectivity, I will stress this again, this is the most buggy 'We Were Here' game we have played. Boats starting off with one person in, clipping through things, puzzles bugging out, issues before we have even got into proper gameplay. This is by far the buggiest 'We Were Here' game.”
- “Definitely should've and could've been longer - and my god the last 'puzzle' was a painful ride because of the messy jumping mechanics (especially in a level design that heavily relies on one of the players jumping over obstacles most of the time). Also, it was so annoyingly time-consuming to restart it, so dying because of a failed jump and going all the way back to play it all over again only to fail the jump... again... was frustrating in a not-so-fun way.”
- “I was really disappointed that the game is so short (about an hour and a half of gameplay).”
story
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
72%
6%
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and lighthearted, focusing more on cooperative puzzle-solving than on a deep narrative. While some players appreciate the playful atmosphere and humor, many express disappointment over the lack of a substantial plot or connection to previous titles in the series. Overall, the experience is described as a fun, albeit brief, diversion rather than a story-driven adventure.
- “The story takes players on a lighthearted journey through new environments aboard the titular ship, filled with clever challenges, humorous moments, and surprising twists.”
- “The game’s story ties in beautifully with the gameplay, and it brings an emotional layer to the experience, making it feel even more immersive.”
- “Despite being short, the story is beautiful and memorable.”
- “The game doesn’t have much of a plot besides you navigating yourself and your friend to an island attraction park and trying to get out of there.”
- “There is no storyline, just three random challenges to achieve a random ending.”
- “Unlike the other entries, this one does not have any story or mysteries to it, but hosts three distinct puzzles, without sacrificing any of the quality of the previous games.”
graphics
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming aesthetic, which offers a refreshing departure from the darker themes of previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the immersive visuals that effectively capture the game's lighthearted and slightly spooky atmosphere, with many noting the attention to detail and thematic consistency. While some reviews mention minor performance issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics enhance the gameplay experience, making it visually appealing and enjoyable.
- “The graphics are pleasing to the eye, effectively capturing the atmosphere of the setting, and the level design is very well executed.”
- “Visually, the game is a bright departure from the icy, foreboding aesthetics of earlier entries in the franchise.”
- “The art style is charming, and the atmosphere is both lighthearted and immersive.”
- “The graphics are not great, staying consistent with the visuals of previous games in the series, but the artistic direction remains strong.”
- “Insanely disappointing compared to its previous games, extremely short, has nothing to do with the main 'story', and contains the worst puzzle in the series. The puzzle in question is buggy, poorly explained, and heavy on RNG. Do not attempt getting gold tickets; you'll only ruin your day and friendship. The only redeeming quality in my opinion was the art style and charming theme.”
- “A couple of weird performance/graphical issues on a 12700k/4080 which was strange but otherwise recommended.”
humor
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to create hilarious moments through miscommunication and cooperative challenges. Many reviews note that the game is a fun and lighthearted experience, perfect for playing with friends or partners, often leading to laughter and memorable interactions. Despite its short length, the comedic elements and clever puzzles ensure a delightful time, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a humorous gaming experience.
- “The story takes players on a lighthearted journey through new environments aboard the titular ship, filled with clever challenges, humorous moments, and surprising twists.”
- “It's a fun and often hilarious experience, especially when you think you're being clear—but your friend hears something completely different.”
- “Each challenge pushes you and your partner to work together in ways that can only strengthen your bond—whether that means you’re laughing at a hilarious miscommunication or screaming as the clock ticks down on a time-sensitive puzzle.”
replayability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the competitive aspect of achieving better scores and completing challenges, while others find the limited number of puzzles and short playtime restricts long-term engagement. Many appreciate the cooperative nature and the potential for varied experiences based on player interactions, but some express frustration with the repetitive nature of certain puzzles once the solutions are known. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, such as mini-games and score challenges, the consensus is that replay value is somewhat limited.
- “These scores add a layer of replayability and competition, enticing duos to retry puzzles in pursuit of a perfect run.”
- “The puzzles do vary some between playthroughs, and you can also switch sides and play on the other side of the track for your second run, plus the whole experience can be very different depending on who you play with, so there is decent replayability for a smallish game.”
- “But the actual puzzles are great, and there is much more replayability due to the challenges of trying to achieve the golden tickets.”
- “Very good gameplay but very short and not really replayable.”
- “Limited replay value once you know the solutions.”
- “The games are relatively short, which can be a positive or a negative depending on your perspective, and the replay value is limited (once you've done the puzzles, the details may change, but the puzzle itself stays the same).”
music
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
36%
7%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its catchy and thematic qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some find it fun and immersive, others note that it can become repetitive or annoying over time. Overall, the soundtrack is described as charming and fitting, contributing positively to the game's experience despite some minor technical issues.
- “There's still a sense of urgency, but it’s wrapped in bright colors, carnival music, and game-show aesthetics.”
- “The music of this game is absolutely amazing.”
- “The haunting and atmospheric soundtrack adds depth to the experience, creating an eerie and immersive ambiance that enhances the sense of mystery and adventure.”
- “Also, the music and narration tend to be annoying and tedious, and there is close to no story.”
- “My only minor issue with this was the ending music after the final 'ride' seemed to be affected by our poor internet, and created heavy static and dead silences, jumping in between them, in our headphones.”
- “The music is decent and the story itself okay.”
stability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs that significantly detract from the overall experience, including freezing issues, puzzle glitches, and network connectivity problems. While some players found enjoyment in the core gameplay, the instability and frequent crashes led many to recommend against purchasing it, even at a discount. Overall, the game's stability issues overshadow its potential, making it a frustrating experience for many users.
- “Runs great on Linux with Proton; all features worked without tinkering.”
- “Talking a bit further on network connectivity, I will stress this again, this is the most buggy 'We Were Here' game we have played. Boats starting off with one person in them, clipping through things, puzzles bugging out, issues before we have even got into proper gameplay. This is by far the buggiest 'We Were Here' game.”
- “To close this out, however, I will have to give this game a not recommended, even on sale, as this game was, as previously stated, the most buggy. The lag experienced throughout our entire playthrough caused the puzzles to be a slog to get through. On top of fighting the random chance nature of these games, I could not fully enjoy it.”
- “Crashes constantly, buggy, hints don't work, and overall the puzzles are frustrating and not fun.”
grinding
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
49%
48%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating, particularly in relation to certain puzzles that require repetitive attempts to improve scores. While some appreciated the challenge and the option to adjust difficulty levels, others felt that the extensive grinding detracted from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of burnout. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game offers engaging elements, the grinding can be excessively time-consuming and monotonous.
- “You might not understand the time pressure at first, but restarting this trial is not tedious at all.”
- “100%'d this game after a year of infinite grinding. My wife left me, I lost the house, my children were taken, but I finished the game.”
- “My only issues are with the final puzzle which has some elements that rely on collision physics that aren't great, and since you have to restart the puzzle to improve your score, it can get a little tiring and tedious to repeat.”
- “We even tried to get the golden tickets everywhere, but at the end it was just tedious and we stopped.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
19%
9%
The atmosphere in "We Were Here: The Friendship" is characterized by a charming and immersive design, blending lighthearted elements with engaging puzzles. While it departs from the spookier tones of previous titles, it maintains a captivating environment that enhances the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the colorful graphics, atmospheric sound design, and the overall sense of adventure, making it a delightful co-op experience despite some technical shortcomings.
- “The environments and atmosphere are captivating, with each new room and puzzle presenting a fresh challenge that feels organic rather than repetitive.”
- “The atmospheric environments, intricate set pieces, and hauntingly beautiful landscapes create a sense of wonder and intrigue that draws you in from the moment you start playing.”
- “The haunting and atmospheric soundtrack adds depth to the experience, creating an eerie and immersive ambiance that enhances the sense of mystery and adventure.”
- “It’s more of a standalone game compared to the other game, and the atmosphere is pretty different (not as spooky).”
- “Overall the game is awesome, but I prefer the original 'We Were Here' atmosphere and story.”
- “I am a big fan of the main series, and this felt like a mini version of it with a more lighthearted atmosphere.”
emotional
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create a wholesome and immersive experience, often evoking laughter and tears through its engaging narrative and cooperative gameplay. Players appreciate the emotional connections formed with friends while navigating challenges, with many noting the game's heartwarming moments and the depth it adds to the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding its value, the emotional journey it offers is frequently described as unique and rewarding.
- “The game’s story ties in beautifully with the gameplay, and it brings an emotional layer to the experience, making it feel even more immersive.”
- “The emotional rollercoaster you experience with your friend is like no other.”
- “The puzzles are as engaging as ever, but what really stands out is the emotional connection you’ll build with your partner as you navigate the game’s challenges together.”
optimization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and offers engaging performance-based scoring, players have reported various bugs and graphical issues, particularly on higher-end systems, leading to frame rate drops and stuttering during cutscenes. Despite these concerns, the game remains playable, though many hope for future optimization improvements.
- “Players receive scores at the end of each puzzle based on their performance, and can earn bronze, silver, or gold medals depending on how efficiently and precisely they collaborate.”
- “There are three stages that grade you on your performance - if you manage to get through it without making a mistake, you’ll get a gold, but if you don’t want to try too hard, there is the option to finish the puzzles at bare minimum, which is great for casual play.”
- “It's got 3 major puzzles, and your performance in each is measured unlike the previous games where you just had to solve the puzzle and move on.”
- “This game is so poorly optimized and buffers hard with frames.”
- “At my 30fps, I found that I was sad it was over; I wish it was longer and better optimized.”
- “Hope to have some optimization done; while the game is playable for me, it has trouble when loading the cut-scenes.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as overly focused on promoting older titles, with players feeling that they are essentially paying to engage with an advertisement rather than a standalone experience. Many reviewers express frustration over the game's brevity and the perceived lack of effort from the developers, viewing it as a lazy attempt to drive sales for previous games.
- “This game is basically an advertisement that you pay to play, only to be told to pay for and play their older games which you may have already played. It's a clear display of laziness from the developer.”
- “What was the point? It's basically just advertising for the fourth game.”
- “This game is an advertisement for the other games and is decently short with only three puzzles.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While users appreciate the character designs, they primarily highlight the engaging and challenging puzzles, suggesting that character development may not be the central focus of the game.
- “I really like the character designs; they are unique and add depth to the story.”
- “The character development is fantastic, with each character evolving in meaningful ways throughout the game.”
- “The way the characters grow and change based on player choices makes the experience feel personal and engaging.”

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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 35 analyzed playthroughs

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We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a casual action adventure game.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip was released on September 14, 2023.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip was developed by Total Mayhem Games.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include We Were Here Forever, We Were Here, We Were Here Too, Operation:Tango, It Takes Two and others.

We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip

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