Wayfinder, originally released last August, was a live service game with seasonal updates, regular new characters, and a wide range of microtransactions youd expect from a free-to-play game. While fun, it suffered from many of the pitfalls that most new F2P games suffer from, including monetization concerns and the usual launch server issues. All of that was exacerbated when the developer and publisher parted ways, leaving fans hanging.
Well, those fans can rejoice, because Wayfinder is now back as a paid co-op action RPG that has kept the same satisfying loot and gameplay mechanics but has done away with the aggressive monetization and always-online elements. The result is a game that people have been clamoring for all along, and one that, in a way, offers hope that other promising live-action games that havent quite made it in the tough F2P market can be reimagined in a similar way. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but Wayfinder has at least laid out a plan for how to do it right.
Much like the original, its still an action RPG at its core, with a ton of unique characters to choose from, each with a different role and set of skills to master. Theyre fun to play in their own way, and can be equipped with any weapon you want, as well as passive buffs, armor, and all the usual accessories.
While you can play solo, and its definitely fun , the game really shines in multiplayer, when you all roleplay and work together. Perhaps thats not surprising given its original F2P online nature but its nice to see that the creators of Airship Syndicate have managed to keep the core multiplayer experience as good as it is despite removing all the other online elements (monetization, server issues, etc.).
As you might expect from any game with the term RPG in its description, there's a ton of stuff to do, a ton of combat to get stuck into, and a ton of unlockables hidden throughout the world. Overall, it's just a very satisfying experience, and its resurrection is also something of a boon to the game's preservation, as Wayfinder is no longer tied to expensive server costs, so instead it can stay in your game library and be downloaded and played however you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. You know, like we all wish all games were.
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