Wayfinder: Impressions From Hands-On Demo at Summer Game Fest

If you’re looking for a new free-to-play fantasy action MMO RPG, look no further than Wayfinder. Developer Airship Syndicate brings this character-driven online game to life with incredible environments, creative heroes, and easy-to-learn combat. At Summer Game Fest I had the chance to try out a demo of Wayfinder for just a few minutes, but even in that short time, I was able to learn a lot.

Many of the playable characters fall into classic RPG class stereotypes. There is everything from the showboating barbarian to the heavily armored paladin and the high damage-dealing rogue. But each of these characters is more than just their stereotype. For example, the “showboating barbarian” behaves that way because she used to be a gladiator, and she actually gets various bonuses to her attacks if she shows off a little.

The core gameplay centers around challenging dungeons full of enemies, and an ultimate boss battle. These dungeons will have valuable loot, like most dungeons, but in Wayfinder, players have the option of modifying the dungeon before entering. Players can find higher-value loot but at the trade-off of a much harder dungeon. This turns what could be somewhat repetitive dungeon crawls into more dynamic decisions.

Characters have their strengths and weaknesses, but all characters can use all weapons. In the demo, I was able to try out a two-handed sword, a pair of knives, and a rifle. Of course, each one handles very differently, but finding the combo of character and weapon that works best for your playstyle will be fun. Plus, players are able to switch between characters anytime they want, so don’t worry if one combo doesn’t work out for you. With all progress saved across characters, you won’t have to start over completely.

Wayfinder promises a great story and an engaging cast of characters all wrapped up in an MMO RPG package. Gather your dungeoning group, Wayfinder will be coming to Early Access this summer on Steam, PS5, and PS4. Thanks to Airship Syndicate and Summer Game Fest for the opportunity to try this game out. You can also check out the latest trailer here.