Wayward Strand is a touching, empathetic narrative game, woven together from many distinct threads, all of which play out simultaneously aboard an airborne hospital in 1970s Australia. In Wayward Strand you play as Casey Beaumaris, a teenage girl visiting the hospital for the first time. Over the course of three days, she will explore the history of the ship, the lives of its inhabitants, and their relationships to one another. Once aboard, she can visit the rooms of the ship’s odd and delightful residents, choosing who she wants to spend her time with, and get to know. She can also shadow the staff and snoop around; or explore the ship itself, seeking to uncover the secrets of its murky past. The hospital’s residents are an eclectic cast of characters – some charming, some eccentric, some rude – each with their own desires, goals and imaginations. They do as they wish, completely independent of the player character. During the three days Casey spends on the ship, the characters around her live out their own stories - stories which she can investigate. Each character moves and acts of their own accord, on their own timeline - sharing news with each other, opinions; arguing; joking; gossiping - or having a chat with Casey when she comes by. As Casey explores the airship and its many intertwined stories, she will discover that the effect of her actions can reverberate far beyond her expectations.
Some of our key influences in developing this multi-linear narrative style - simultaneous stories that you explore as they play out around you - are Sleep No More, a fascinating piece of interactive theatre, the late ‘90s adventure game The Last Express, and Building Stories, Chris Ware’s graphic novel collection of intricate, multilayered stories.
Features
A deep story - Over a dozen characters, each with their own timeline and story.
A living world - All stories play out in real-time, along-side each other, throughout the ship.
Follow your curiosity - Eavesdrop on, follow, and talk to your favourite character to discover their stories.
Casey’s Notebook - Follow leads, investigate mysteries and strange happenings.
A unique experience every time - Choose your own path through the world as it moves around you.
Source: The Game Website.