The Waste Land
Released Sep 2014
The Waste Land, a "metroidvania" style side-scroller inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem of the same name, puts players in the role of a fallen king who must find his way to right the wrongs caused by his own failings.
50% positive · 104 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $9.99 Green Man Gaming Steam key $9.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
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Evaluation
The Waste Land launched on September 16, 2014 as a complete, self-contained metroidvania. Following launch, the developer (Fledermaus) released a series of bug fixes and minor feature patches through late 2014 and into early 2015. The most recent and only major content update was published on June 8, 2016, adding a Bestiary system with 41 collectible pages, a 16:9 widescreen upgrade, boss health bars, and various balance improvements. That June 2016 post is the last developer communication on record. There are no unreleased DLC entries, no announced roadmap, no season pass, and no outstanding content commitments of any kind. The store description presents the game as a finished product with a defined feature set. With no further posts or announcements from Fledermaus since June 8, 2016, and no pattern suggesting additional content was ever planned beyond what shipped, the game is considered complete as of that final update.
Evidence
Major update added a Bestiary with 41 unlockable pages, 16:9 widescreen support, boss health bars, and balance tweaks. This is the last developer communication on record.
Store description presents the game as a complete package with a defined feature set: 15+ hours of gameplay, 10 weapons, 5 bosses, 7 continents. No mention of future content or updates.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Digital Tribe
Achievements
30
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
The Waste Land, inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poem of the same name that is imbued with feelings of despair and lost innocence, puts players in the role of a fallen king who must find his way to right the wrongs caused by his own failings. Players explore a vast world across seven continents and meet memorable characters while fighting off twisted creatures to survive a hostile land - all in gorgeous 8-bit style.
In The Waste Land you are the King Zyron III, ruler of all the known lands, who’s actions on a an ordinary hunting trip cause a rip in the balance of nature. Creatures mutate sending your once loyal subjects into a state of fear and it is up to you to set things right. Seek out more powerful weapons and secret items to give you an edge while exploring the vast lands in your quest to take down five giant beasts to reset the balance of nature you upset.
In The Waste Land you are the King Zyron III, ruler of all the known lands, who’s actions on a an ordinary hunting trip cause a rip in the balance of nature. Creatures mutate sending your once loyal subjects into a state of fear and it is up to you to set things right. Seek out more powerful weapons and secret items to give you an edge while exploring the vast lands in your quest to take down five giant beasts to reset the balance of nature you upset.
Features
- “Metroidvania” style open world with over 15 hours of classic gameplay
- Find and collect hidden Upgrades, Secrets and Bonuses that boost stats and abilities
- Discover 10 deadly weapons, 5 swords and 5 arrow types, imbued with unique properties such as the Battle Sword, Chain Sword and Katana as well as the Fire, Bomb and Cursed Arrows
- Slay 5 giant twisted Bosses that include a mutated slug, colossal hornet and demented whale
- Encounter colorful characters in each town you discover
- Watch the ominous moon rise each night as the skies darken and light with the Day/Night cycle
- Explore vast maps across 7 continents, each with their own challenges to overcome
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 28, 2026
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