Wayfinder

I’m pleasantly surprised by just how far Wayfinder has come since I first played that beta. From its lukewarm early access launch, the game has transformed into an experience that’s well worth your time if you’re a fan of the ARPG/MMO genres.

There was nothing that stood out from the game, and the story didn't particularly grab me. The main selling point for me was the combat and dungeon-crawling, which was quite fun. However, Wayfinder still needs some work to give it that extra sparkle.

Overall, Wayfinder as a game saw a very transformative change throughout its early access. Airship Syndicate no doubt did not anticipate having to change a live service MMORPG to a fully functional and fun-to-play ARPG, however. The work that was put into adding multiple layers of build crafting depth, several large locations with lots to do and see. As well as a staggering variety of wayfinders, weapons, enemies, and bosses all wrapped in a beautifully simplistic art style is easily recommendable. Especially at its very low price tag. It is worth every penny, as it was to play every second that I did throughout its early access and many forms.

Wayfinder has made significant strides from the online-only Wayfinder game I played when it launched into Early Access in August of 2023. The overhaul to a single-player game with optional multiplayer still has an echo of the MMO design it once aspired to be. The expansive world, character archetypes and end game loop are all remnants of what was, and yet Airship Syndicate has managed to twist the formula just enough to make it worthwhile for solo and co-op RPG players. While some systems may be as dense as the Gloom itself, Wayfinder ultimately lights the way to an enjoyable and rewarding adventure.

Wayfinder is a fun, fast-paced action RPG with some great world-building and excellent progression systems.

Despite its minor bugs and glitches, Wayfinder is a terrific ARPG. It is full of content and potential, that casual and hardcore players alike will have a blast playing.

With the official 1.0 release, Wayfinder gained additional features, such as a new hero and open-world area. I anticipate that the developers will maintain this trend with future updates because the game's current patches have also included numerous additions that improve players' overall experience.

In keeping the grind but removing the online requirements, Airship Syndicate are sending a clear message: Wayfinder is a game for the players.