Wayward Strand is a new digital game that takes players on an adventure aboard an airship that serves as a hospital for elderly patients. The game is set in 1978, on the Bass Coast of Victoria, Australia, and features stunning animated landscapes inspired by the region. The game was made by Melbourne-based studio Ghost Pattern, with support from Film Victoria and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
The game follows the story of Casey Beaumaris, a 14-year-old girl who accompanies her mother, the head nurse of the hospital, to work during the school holidays. Casey’s task is to interact with the staff and residents of the airship, and learn about their lives, histories, and perspectives. The game is designed to help young players develop empathy, social skills, and intergenerational relationships.
A diverse cast of characters and stories
The game boasts an impressive voice cast, including veteran actors Michael Caton and Anne Charleston, who play some of the elderly residents. The game also features over a dozen other characters, each with their own personality, background, and story arc. The game uses a real-time system, where the stories of the characters unfold simultaneously around Casey, and the player can choose who to talk to and when.
The game explores themes such as ageing, memory, identity, culture, and family, through the lens of different generations and backgrounds. The game also incorporates elements of Australian history, such as the Vietnam War, the White Australia policy, and the Indigenous land rights movement.
A new wave of Australian digital games
Wayward Strand is part of a new generation of Australian digital games that are being made by diverse designers for diverse audiences. The game was nominated for five Freeplay Independent Games Festival Awards this week, and won the award for Best Narrative. The game is also a finalist for the Australian Game Developer Awards, which will be announced later this month.
The game is a testament to the creativity and innovation of the Australian digital games industry, which is growing rapidly and gaining recognition internationally. The game is also a reflection of the changing landscape of digital games, which are becoming more accessible, inclusive, and story-driven.
How to play Wayward Strand
Wayward Strand is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms, and can be purchased from the game’s website or from Steam. The game is suitable for players of all ages, and does not require any prior gaming experience or skills. The game can be played with a mouse, keyboard, or controller, and has options for subtitles, audio, and accessibility.
The game takes about three hours to complete, but can be replayed multiple times to discover different stories and outcomes. The game also has a companion website, where players can find more information about the game world, the characters, and the creators.
Wayward Strand is a game that invites players to immerse themselves in a rich and captivating world, and to connect with characters who have something to teach and something to learn.
