Wayfinder is a fun game, will be released at an equally interesting time for the live service gaming industry. Games drop like flies. Not just bad games – really good games with a future. The challenge of releasing a free-to-play MMO action RPG in 2023 must be daunting, but the team at Airship Syndicate is pushing hard no matter what.
So what happened to them? Well, thanks to the developers providing access to the closed beta, a live demo, and a short Q&A, it’s clear to see how Joe Madureira and his colleagues have succeeded. Whether this approach will prove correct remains frustrating.
So what is the elevator pitch for Wayfinder? The game is a third-person action MMO set in a fantasy world where basic technology clashes with shields, swords, and flasks. The game is character-centric, with each fighter having their own unique abilities. Weapons are just as important as mods, and all three mods can be upgraded with loot dungeons looted and open world loot.
Even in the closed beta, you can quickly see the loop at Wayfinder’s core, even though it’s in patchwork shape right now. You set yourself a weapon or character you want, and then research what materials you’ll need to create them. You give yourself a shopping list, and head to dungeons or open world PvE content until you get what you need. Once you’ve got them, you can stimulate them by leveling them up until you’re satisfied, and then go collect other stuff.
The more you collect, the more your arsenal will grow, providing passive bonuses to your entire character roster, increasing your overall player power and helping you access higher difficulty content. Rinse and repeat forever; treadmill collectors love endless runs in video games.
As a demon who loves to tick boxes and make numbers go up, the appeal of Wayfinder is obvious. I like the look of that sword, maybe I’ll get it. Now that I have it, let’s go for it. Now, I’m bored; oh look, another sword. It’s the carrot on the stick, and it’s proven to be true, but it relies heavily on one factor. How fun is it to actually play Wayfinder?
By that, I mean how fun it is to walk around and shoot monsters. Between each new weapon are hundreds of bandits, spiders, beasts of dark power and slimes that you must carve your way from. One concern I have with Wayfinder is whether the actual combat will remain entertaining. The reason Warframe and other MMOs can get away with hundreds of hours of relatively basic combat is because the tools given to them are fun and responsive. I can play Mesa Prime for hours on defense missions, and I can spend days with my Wolf Sledge bounties. Wayfinder must capture that engagement, or risk turning it into a job rather than a risk.
In the closed beta, I believe they were successful to some extent. The ax-wielding strongman Senia is perfectly executed. Both her light and heavy attacks pack a strong punch, and her abilities are explosive. Every minute with her was a joy. Wingrave, on the other hand, was largely a disappointment. His Shield Slam and Righteous Strike are powerful, but the rest of his gear feels subdued and invigorating. I could play this game for weeks with Senja and hours with Wingrave.
But maybe that’s the nature of this kind of game. You can’t love every character, any more than you can love every gun in Call of Duty or car in Gran Turismo. I still hope that future characters added to Wayfinder will be able to do this.
I also want to touch the world! During the live demo and our previous interviews with the team, the importance of creating a good social space for players was emphasized. Skylight is that space, a crazy mix of faded fantasy buildings and dimly lit neon back alleys where artisans and merchants do their business. It’s unique, if nothing else, and while most unique NPCs are currently represented with generic models, Wayfinder’s Hub paints a promise of improvement and expansion over time. It, like the rest of the game, has a lot of room to grow.
So, after a few hours of using the closed beta and the Wayfinder live demo, what did I gain? I’m having a lot of fun with the game, but I’m also worried about Wayfinder. It’s a game with a solid heart, and one that has the potential to actually have a community that digs into the world. These guys, if sought after, will gnaw off every morsel of this delicious roast from nose to tail. My concern comes from outside the game, that’s the environment the game enters.
It seems like the field service game is dropping like flies these days. They’re usually decent games with real potential. Wayfinder is for those who love collecting stuff and a small party PvE experience. That’s enough to earn a following among the MMO fanbase. But with so many competitors in the market, one big mistake could spell disaster. Something I’m sure the team is aware of and trying to avoid.
If it can find its footing and lure players in with tons of content, few technical issues, and an exciting array of characters and weapons, I believe Wayfinder has a chance of sticking around for a while. I hope so. All in all, Wayfinder tickles the MMO-loving part of my brain and makes me eager to see their journey until release.
