Wayward Strand Explained

Wayward Strand
Developer:	Ghost Pattern
Released:	15 September 2022
Genre:	Adventure
Modes:	Single-player

Wayward Strand is a narrative adventure game by Ghost Pattern. It was released in September 2022 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Gameplay

Set in 1978, the player controls 14-year-old Casey Beaumaris, who explores a hospital airship above Victoria, Australia and interact with the residents and staff, while the game world changes in real-time.

Development

The game was developed by Melbourne-based team Ghost Pattern, formed in 2016.^[1]

Reception

GamesHub said its exploration of the theme of growing old is heartfelt, while they encountered moments unsure what to do.^[2] GamesRadar+ lauded the writing for connecting the "innocence of youth" and "candidness of old age" and compared it to a soap opera.^[3]

It won Best Narrative at the Freeplay Independent Games Festival in 2024.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lucas . Rachael . Generations take to the air in new Australian-made digital adventure game . . en-AU . 4 March 2024.
2. Web site: Spindler . Emily . Wayward Strand review - The clock keeps ticking . Gameshub.com . en-AU . 15 September 2022.
3. Web site: Loveridge . Sam . Have you tried... getting lost in the stories aboard a floating hospital in Wayward Strand? . . en . 9 December 2022.