Wayward Strand
Released Sep 2022
Wayward Strand is a heartfelt story told in a curious way. Hop aboard an airborne hospital and meet its fully-voiced cast of eclectic characters. As time passes for everyone on board, explore the interwoven lives of the patients and staff; discover something new on each and every playthrough.
94% positive · 108 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $19.99
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Evaluation
Wayward Strand launched on September 15, 2022 as a complete, self-contained narrative experience. Following launch, ghost pattern shipped a handful of patches addressing bugs and adding quality-of-life features like chapter select (patch v1.0.3 on September 21, 2022 and v1.0.4 on October 28, 2022). The only DLC ever listed is the game's soundtrack, which released on launch day.
On September 15, 2023 — the game's one-year anniversary — the developer published a candid status update. They mentioned ongoing work on a within-day save feature, but acknowledged it was being paused due to personal life circumstances and that significant work remained before it could ship, with no promises on timing. They also noted that the team had "scattered a bit" to work on other projects, hinting at future plans together but with nothing specific to announce.
Since that September 2023 post, there have been no further developer communications. The promised mid-day save feature was never delivered. The absence of any further updates, combined with the developer's own admission that the team had dispersed to other projects and could make no promises on the save feature, paints a picture of a game that has effectively concluded its post-launch support — even if that one feature was left on the table.
The game launched as a finished, story-complete product with no expansion content ever announced or hinted at. The single in-progress feature (mid-day saves) was a quality-of-life improvement, not new story content. With no unreleased DLC, no announced future content, no sustained update cadence, and developer communications pointing toward the team moving on, Wayward Strand is a complete game.
Evidence
One-year anniversary post confirmed the team had scattered to work on other projects. Work on the mid-day save feature was being paused for 'a couple of months' with significant work still remaining and no promises on delivery. No new story content was announced. The developer hinted at future projects together but nothing specific.
Game launched on Steam on September 15, 2022 as a complete narrative experience.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
ghost pattern
Achievements
30
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Welcome to the Hospital
It's the summer of 1978, and Casey Beaumaris is trying to make the most of her holidays, when her mum asks her to spend a long weekend helping out at the airborne hospital where she works.
Casey prefers the company of books to people, but she agrees, secretly planning to write an article about her visit for the school newspaper.
With her trusty notebook at the ready, Casey arrives on board the airship. The staff are overworked as they prepare for the visit of an important official, while the patients react to grief, or deal with active trauma.
In the midst of these and many other interlocking and overlapping stories, Casey spends time with the patients, learning about their lives, and, as the stories unfold, discovering what she can do to help.
Explore A Living World
Within the world of Wayward Strand, time passes for everyone - characters continue their lives without waiting for you to interact with them. In Wayward Strand’s unique narrative structure, the stories of over a dozen characters constantly unfold around you in real time, as you, as Casey, roam freely throughout each day.
Choose which story to be a part of by following people, having conversations, and exploring the hospital.
The hospital’s residents are an eclectic cast of characters – some charming, some eccentric, some rude – each with their own desires, goals and imaginations. Every character moves and acts of their own accord, at their own pace, on their own timeline - sharing news with each other, arguing, joking, gossiping - or having a chat with Casey when she comes by.
Every playthrough gives you the opportunity to discover something you didn’t see previously - what you missed the first time, you might see the second, third, or fifth time around.
Your Journey
When you see someone, you can follow them, to see where they go and what they get up to. You can eavesdrop on peoples’ conversations, or come into the room and be a part of the discussion.Spending time with particular characters will lead you to new storylines, locations, revelations and resolutions.
As the journalist for her school newspaper, Casey keeps track of events and information in her notebook. Players use Casey’s notebook to delve deeper into peoples’ stories, to make new discoveries, and to piece together mysteries.
Voice & Screen Language: English
Accessibility
The Family Video Game Database's page on Wayward Strand has details on our accessibility features and requirements:Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 26, 2026
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