The Great Wastes

The Great Wastes

Released Sep 2026

"The Great Wastes" is a pixelated fantasy RPG. Players take on the role of a mysterious young man living in an isolated village. One day, the village is suddenly attacked by a group of unidentified black-clad individuals, forcing the young man to flee with his childhood sweetheart and companions.

72% positive · 128 reviews
Not yet
Recently released, post-launch plans unclear
Low confidence
Recently Launched
Not yet
Recently released, post-launch plans unclear
Low confidence
Recently Launched

Where to buy

Steam $12.74 $14.99 −15%
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Evaluation

The Great Wastes launched on September 27, 2026. Since launch, the developer has issued a rapid series of bug-fix hotfixes (versions 1.0.13 through 1.0.16) across September 28 – October 1, 2026, addressing combat bugs, equipment issues, art assets, and controller support. This post-launch patch activity is consistent with a typical stabilization period immediately following release. Prior to launch, the game ran a public demo that received updates through at least June 22, 2026, including a significant demo update on June 15, 2026 that added Chapter 1 story content and reworked the prologue. The store description presents the game as a complete linear narrative RPG divided into multiple chapters, without mentioning any planned DLC, season passes, or ongoing content additions. There are no unreleased DLC listings on the store. The developer has not communicated any plans for post-launch expansions or additional content. Because the game launched only 4 days ago as of today's date, there is simply not enough post-launch history to determine whether further content updates will follow. The developer has not stated the game is complete and done, nor have they announced anything more is coming.
Evidence
Store description presents the game as a complete linear narrative RPG with chapters unlocking through story progression; no DLC or post-launch content additions mentioned.
store metadata · Sep 27, 2026 source ambiguous
medium
HotFix 1.0.16 released — one of several rapid bug-fix patches issued in the days immediately following the September 27, 2026 launch.
news post · Oct 1, 2026 source development ongoing
low

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
大荒游戏
Achievements
30
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

Classic Pixel RPG

The Great Wastes is crafted with classic 2D pixel art and features a story told through a traditional linear narrative. The main storyline is divided into multiple chapters, and as the story progresses, new areas for free exploration will be unlocked.

Classic Turn-Based Tactical Combat

The combat system in "The Great Wastes" employs classic turn-based tactical battles, maintaining a flow of "player round" and "enemy round" on the battlefield. However, status effect durations and skill cooldowns are resolved based on character actions, and the game features extensive character re-action mechanisms. These changes result in faster-paced combat, enhanced controllability, and richer strategic depth.

Intuitive Battle Controls

The battlefield UI interactions are meticulously designed. Selecting a target allows players to view character status and skill information without leaving the battlefield for a secondary interface. Basic attacks can be executed quickly by selecting a character and clicking on a valid target.

Skills can be activated using hotkeys to enter targeting mode, after which moving the cursor previews the skill's effect range. Clicking a tile immediately triggers the skill.

With the support of hotkeys, the mouse can remain within the target area to swiftly preview the effect ranges of different skills, ensuring smooth and seamless combat decision-making.

The game is also fully optimized for controller use, delivering an experience as fluid as keyboard and mouse controls.

Character Combat Synergy

The game emphasizes teamwork, as going alone cannot overcome numerous enemies. During their adventure, players will meet new companions who join the battle party. Each companion specializes in specific weapons and possesses unique skills and talent systems. The combination of skills among companions adds variety to combat gameplay.

Pre-Battle Preparation and Battlefield Rewind

Before each battle, players can make preparations, adjusting party members, equipment, and skills. If the battle becomes challenging, the battlefield rewind mechanism can be used to return to the preparation phase, readjust strategies, and challenge again. This mechanism not only allows for undoing moves but also lets players review status information from each character's action turns, aiding in analyzing and understanding enemy skill mechanics.

Diverse Wild Monsters and Bosses

Every enemy in the game has its own unique talents and skills, and each map with wild monsters features a field boss for players to challenge. These bosses possess distinct skills and mechanics, requiring players to strategically combine character skills and understand enemy mechanics. Knowing both oneself and the enemy is key to achieving victory in every battle.

Equipment forging

Challenging field bosses yields exclusive materials that can be used to forge unique equipment. These pieces of equipment possess distinctive traits that, when combined with a character's innate talents, create unexpected synergistic effects.

Equipment can be enhanced to improve attributes and will not become obsolete as the player's level increases.

Equipment can be refined to acquire new traits, allowing players to customize their combinations.

Equipment can be infused with spirits to focus attributes on a certain aspect, and the four pieces of equipment can be infused with spirits to achieve resonance effects.

Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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