The new coop game Wayfinder (Steam, PS4, PS5, Xbox) was shown for the first time at the Game Awards 2022. It impressed with an exciting setting and a wild genre mix – and evoked strong memories of the deceased MMORPG WildStar. Now, the developers of the MMORPG classic are speaking up.
What is Wayfinder? The game is a mix of dungeon crawler, crafting, and the great hunt for loot. It is not really an MMO, but it is playable in coop and designed to be so. It relies on different heroes with different abilities.
If the project is not quite an MMORPG in terms of gameplay, like WildStar, the overall setting still reminds of the deceased MMO. Wayfinder mixes fantasy and sci-fi in its setting and implements it with a rather colorful graphics.
Additionally, some steampunk and martial arts elements are present in the world of Wayfinder, and fireballs as well as shotguns are also not in short supply. In its overall impression, Wayfinder shares quite a lot with the much-missed WildStar.
In 2020, there was even a petition to bring WildStar back, which garnered over 10,000 signatures. But so far, it has been quiet on that front. Therefore, many see Wayfinder as a good alternative to WildStar. Apparently, even the former developers themselves.
Here you can watch the trailer for the game:
Even the developers of WildStar think that Wayfinder looks like WildStar – and they think that’s really good
What do the WildStar developers say about it? Recently, two well-known figures from WildStar spoke on Twitter about an update for Wayfinder. The game had announced that on February 28, new tests will take place as part of a closed beta on the PS5. They also point out that early access on Steam will start in May.
The former producer of WildStar, Stephan Frost, comments on the post with the words “Ooooh, this is exactly the kind of update I was waiting for.” You can already hear here that the former developers are excited about Wayfinder. But it gets even bigger.
In response to Frost’s tweet, the former creative producer of WildStar, Chad Moore, says: “This is the 2nd chance for the best MMO ever.” And with that, he describes that he sees a rebirth of the dead but still beloved WildStar in Wayfinder.
You can also see the tweet here:
Release within this year – tests are already running
When is Wayfinder coming out? The action RPG is set to enter early access on the Steam platform in May 2023. At the same time, the version for PS4 and PS5 will go online. Other platforms like Xbox are expected to follow in the fall.
By the year 2023, the game should also be released and will offer a free-to-play approach.
Cross-play and cross-save between platforms will be possible, so you should be able to play together with everyone and also switch to your console of choice at any time.
How can you participate in the tests? If you are on PC, it is very easy. Just visit the Steam page of Wayfinder and press the big green button that says “Request access”. However, not everyone will get in right away, so a little luck is also involved.
To participate in the console tests, you need an account on playwayfinder.com. There you can register for the upcoming tests. This also works for the Steam version, should you not have luck directly through Steam.
Currently, a closed beta phase is running on PC and PS5. However, more beta tests are to follow before the early access starts in May, but they currently do not have a date yet.
What do you think of Wayfinder? Do you see the game as the great 2nd chance of WildStar? Are you excited about the game and participating in the tests? Feel free to let us know in the comments here on MeinMMO.
