Airship Syndicate is putting forth all of the stops to call attention to the return of Wayfinder, as the action RPG has now shifted from a live service game with microtransactions and an always online component to a cash shop free, buy-to-play model that makes co-op optional and allows the RPG to be played completely solo and offline.
“This effort underscores Airship Syndicate’s dedication to Wayfinder. Rather than discontinue the online-only title, the studio has worked to honor its founders by transforming it into a game that can be enjoyed forever. Although this shift was not part of the original plan, the resulting updates have made the game better overall, creating a more meaningful experience.”
This new update brings the title back to Steam early access at a $25 price point, with additional new features like four selectable difficulty levels, randomized weapon drops, collectible armor sets with unique stats, streamlined character acquisition, expanded limits for housing items, UI updates, new RPG talent systems, and the new character Grendel, who has been highlighted in an excellent animated trailer directed by Joaquim Dos Santos (Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse) and Barry J. Kelly (Star Trek: Lower Decks).
Airship has also talked up future update plans over the game’s early access, which will include another new character, an expansion of the game’s housing, the return of online matchmaking, new items, new quests, and new areas.
As for future platform releases, Wayfinder is currently playable in its original format on PlayStation 4 and 5, with the Echoes update slated to launch sometime later this summer on PS5, after which PS4 support will end, though PS4 players will be able to upgrade to the PS5 edition at no extra cost. Full launch is scheduled for the end of the year, which will also bring the game to Xbox X|S.
For more on Wayfinder, make sure to check out our interview with Airship’s AJ LaSaracina, a recent livestream of the Echoes update, and our more in-depth impressions of the title as it stands.
