Stepping into the boundless realm of Wayfinder, brought to life by Airship Syndicate, felt like diving headfirst into an intergalactic rollercoaster when it kicked off its early access bonanza on August 17th, 2023. Airship Syndicate has been tinkering away, fine-tuning the game ever since, but the final destination? Still as mysterious as a cat’s plan for world domination. The plot thickens, folks!
Initially hyped to be the MMO to rule them all—think Guild Wars 2 meets Final Fantasy XIV in a cosmic tea party—Wayfinder took a detour. It’s like Destiny 2 or Warframe decided to breakdance in the MMO universe, creating its groove instead of following the usual MMO dance steps.
Off the Beaten Path: Where Everyone Dances to Their Tune
You kickstart your Wayfinder journey by choosing among six trailblazing characters, each a walking arsenal with its own unique mojo. From Niss, the ethereal shadow twirler, to Wingrave, the close-combat healer (who probably bakes cookies too), they’re all about dishing out damage in their own spectacular styles.
And let’s not forget Silo! This guy’s a master of both close-up and long-range chaos. He’s got tricks up his sleeves that would make Houdini go green with envy—fake-outs, slowing enemies with oil (yes, oil), and setting things on fire like a pyromaniac artist.
Senja? Lightning storms are her jam. She’s like a one-woman electric rock band, zapping enemies or flinging them around the battleground with lightning kisses.
Kyros prefers keeping distance—think mystical powerhouse. He’ll zap foes with raw energy or flatten them with a shockwave that could ruffle even a dragon’s feathers.
Venomess? She’s the switcheroo master, gliding between ranged and up-close combat like a cosmic ninja. Her bag of chemical tricks poisons enemies and boosts buddies, while her thrusters let her dance circles around trouble.
The Name of the Game: Grind and Glitter
At Wayfinder‘s heart lies the grind—the endless hunt for every weapon and Wayfinder tweak possible. If you’re a grind connoisseur, this game is your personal Zen garden. You’ll spend hours in dungeons, crafting gear like a blacksmith possessed. The Echoes system—your ticket to character upgrades—adds layers to this grind, earned by smiting foes and bosses.
Echoes: A Sneak Peek into Evolution
The Echoes system’s still in its early access diapers, mostly just adding some pizzazz to stats. But there are glimpses of potential fireworks, especially with boss echoes that jazz up gameplay based on your in-game antics.
Combat: Symphony of Chaos
The fight scenes in Wayfinder can swing from meh to “grab-the-popcorn” exciting. Some weapons feel about as weighty as a plastic spoon, while others demand tactical finesse that’d make Sun Tzu nod in approval. Choosing between close combat and ranged warfare adds spice, like a mix of Gears of War and a tactical salsa dance-off.
Uncharted Depths: Dungeons of Mayhem and Mischief
Wayfinder‘s dungeons are like mazes on steroids, evolving every time you hit the play button. You can even spice things up with modifiers—think surprise bombs or vicious, man-eating plants. These dungeons are your solo playground or a co-op fiesta with two pals.
The Lowdown: Navigating Early Hiccups
Early access always comes with its own bag of gremlins, and Wayfinder isn’t exempt. Expect crashes, quest hiccups, foes that decide to take a snooze mid-battle, and servers acting like a rollercoaster. On the PS5, it’s mostly a consistent 60 frames per second—until it decides to play hide-and-seek.
Story: Gloom, Glitches, and a Dash of Mystery
It seems like Wayfinder‘s story is facing challenges, getting lost in a rather sombre tone and complex terminology. It’s as if someone repeatedly pressed the “gloom” button a bit too much. Despite its earlier version in early access receiving numerous updates and now being packed with content to explore, the passing of Wayfinder’s rights to Airship Syndicate leaves me wondering about the game’s future direction.
Monetization: The Cash Conundrum
Some might frown at Wayfinder’s wallet tactics. It’s got those premium currency packs that might raise a brow, and its cosmetics price tag can be as clear as mud. But hey, things have gotten better.
Aesthetics and Earworms
At first glance, Wayfinder’s visuals reminded me of a mashup between Dauntless, Fortnite, Battle Chasers even Ruined King but its true allure lies in the play of light and colors. From neon-lit markets to cozy taverns, it’s a feast for the eyes. But the NPCs could use some Red Bull—their static vibe breaks the illusion of a breathing world.
But here’s the kicker: the audio experience is a hidden treasure! The voice acting is top-notch, and the soundtrack’s like a musical chameleon, blending flawlessly with every scene.
The Big Question: Endless or Ephemeral?
Wayfinder aims to hook and keep players with its intricate reward systems that dole out goodies like candy at a parade. With a battle pass and seasonal treats, it’s aiming to be the party that never ends. Yet, for now, some might find themselves craving more during this early access bash.
Final Thoughts in Uncharted Territories
As an early access tale, Wayfinder feels more like a canvas waiting for the final brush strokes than a fully polished masterpiece. Sure, it might feel a tad sparse at times, but the groundwork laid out? Promising! With a bit of TLC, this game could soar higher than a rocket on a sugar rush. Despite some wallet worries and server acrobatics, Wayfinder‘s calling out to all you grind enthusiasts—a rough gem waiting for that extra sparkle in future updates.
Wayfinder Early Access Trailer
Check out more early access previews here https://invisioncommunity.co.uk/category/previews/
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