Wayward Strand

Wayward Strand is a narrative adventure game by Ghost Pattern. It was released in September 2022 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Gameplay
Set in 1978, the player controls 14-year-old Casey Beaumaris, who explores a hospital airship above Victoria, Australia and interact with the residents and staff, while the game world changes in real-time.

Development
The game was developed by Melbourne-based team Ghost Pattern, formed in 2016.

Reception
GamesHub said its exploration of the theme of growing old is heartfelt, while they encountered moments unsure what to do. GamesRadar+ lauded the writing for connecting the "innocence of youth" and "candidness of old age" and compared it to a soap opera.

It won Best Narrative at the Freeplay Independent Games Festival in 2024.