A Winding Path
- August 26, 2021
- Three Eyed Games
Get on Steam"A Winding Path" is a hand-drawn adventure game set in a whimsical fantasy world where the rain has stopped falling. As the player, you'll seek to restore balance to the world by exploring diverse landscapes, meeting colorful characters, and solving their troubles. Along the way, you'll discover secrets and magic within the land. The game encourages players to enjoy the little things and find the beauty in the world.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming story with a heartwarming tone, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate narrative-driven experiences.
- The minimalist hand-drawn art style and ambient sound design create a cozy atmosphere that enhances the overall immersion.
- Puzzles are gentle and creative, providing a relaxing challenge without being overly difficult, which allows for exploration and discovery.
- The game has a short runtime, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth.
- Initial gameplay can feel slow and generic, with some players expressing frustration during the first hour before the experience improves.
- Navigation and quest tracking can be confusing at times, leading to backtracking and potential frustration for players who miss key dialogue.
- story60 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story is described as charming, fairytale-like, and immersive, with a strong focus on character development and emotional depth. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and creative quests, particularly in the latter half of the game, which enhances the overall experience. While some found the beginning slow, the overall consensus is that the story delivers a satisfying and wholesome conclusion, making it a recommended choice for fans of narrative-driven games.
“The lovely story and beautiful finale, along with hidden rewards, make for a delightful 2D adventure.”
“This is a lovely game whose primary appeal is the characters, story, and great atmosphere.”
“Its focus is on immersion and storytelling, and my god does it deliver on these.”
“As for the story, I was invested more in the second half of the narrative; for whatever reason, I didn't fully grasp the intended theme of the world. It's not a familiar setting to me, but I will say that I loved the ending; it gave me a satisfying closure.”
“I don't want to say that navigation in the quest lines was difficult, but I can see where you might have a problem if you don't read the first part of the dialogue. Sometimes I thought I finished the interaction only to backtrack all the way back because I didn't do it.”
“Obviously, this is a story-driven game, so there are no complex gameplay aspects.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and focus on narrative, making it enjoyable for players who prefer story-driven experiences over complex mechanics. While the game features light puzzles and exploration, some players found the control scheme cumbersome and noted inconsistencies in character interactions that could lead to frustration. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate a creative approach to gameplay without the need for challenging mechanics.
“The gameplay is not complex but well done; both keyboard and controller work perfectly fine.”
“I appreciate when devs try to avoid doing any meta puzzles. Most of the puzzles are not mechanical, and you simply have to explore and interact, which in my opinion is a more enjoyable way to play a narrative game.”
“So if you like story-driven games and don't mind simple gameplay, you have to check this game out.”
“Also, I am questioning the use of WASD and 1234 in a game like this. I really feel like a mouse UI would be a more relaxing option. I even got a finger cramp because there is a mechanic you need to constantly spam if you are curious about hidden interactions.”
“One thing that kind of annoyed me is that some characters will react to a mechanic in the game, but others will not. This is a problem because for a curious player like myself, it forces me to spam the 'rain' on everything in the game, only to find out I had to do it like 5% of the time.”
“Obviously, this is a story-driven game, so there are no complex gameplay aspects.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of "A Winding Path" are characterized by a charming minimalist hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of animated pencil sketches, which evokes nostalgia for many players. The black-and-white aesthetic and imperfections in the drawings contribute to a unique visual experience that enhances the game's overall mood and storytelling. While the visuals are appreciated, some players feel that the audio elements play a more significant role in immersion.
“The minimalist graphic style, reminiscent of animated pencil drawings, reminded me of my school days when I used to doodle similar sketches during breaks and was the main reason for my purchase.”
“I adore everything about 'A Winding Path' - the simple hand-drawn art style, the black-and-white aesthetic, and the charming pencil drawings with their imperfections.”
“The interesting visuals and great sound design really add to the experience.”
“For me, audio has been way more important to immersion than graphics.”
“The minimalist graphic style in the form of animated pencil drawings reminded me of my school days when I used to doodle similar sketches during breaks, and it was the main reason for my purchase.”
“Also, as far as the mood, I do feel like whoever did the miscellaneous sounds did a great job; it has a good sense of escapism, and the minimalistic approach to the visuals helped too.”
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's music is minimal, featuring only in-game performances, which some players initially found disappointing. However, many reviewers appreciate this choice, noting that the lack of a looping soundtrack enhances the cozy atmosphere and allows for a more immersive experience with the ambient soundscapes. Overall, the decision to prioritize silence over background music is seen as a positive aspect that complements the game's tranquil nature.
“The music and sounds are fitting and create a cozy atmosphere.”
“So, resist the urge to put on your own music and enjoy the (relative) silence.”
“One decision I was initially a bit irritated by is that the game has hardly any music (except for when someone is actually playing music in the game world).”
“And since this is a game to soak in with very little action to distract you, a looping music soundtrack would become annoying real fast and would detract too much from the nice ambient soundscapes.”
“I think the choice to not have background music for this game was exactly right.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional tone of the game is consistently described as heartwarming and wholesome, with a heartfelt overarching message. Players appreciate the portrayal of life in a different time and culture, highlighting themes of courage and self-confidence, even if some found the story's theme unclear. Overall, the ending resonates positively, leaving a lasting impression.
“Overall, the best way I can describe the tone is heartwarming.”
“The overarching message is nice and heartfelt.”
“It is a good, heartwarming but not overly sentimental portrait of life in a different time and culture when a young man embraces with courage and self-confidence a world with endless possibilities.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its fitting music and ambient sounds, which together create a cozy and immersive environment that enhances exploration. Reviewers highlight that the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's overall appeal, alongside its characters and story.
“The music and sounds are fitting and create a cozy atmosphere.”
“The ambient environment sounds create a wonderful atmosphere for exploration.”
“This is a lovely game whose primary appeal is the characters, story, and great atmosphere.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting the enjoyment of discovering hidden trinkets and engaging in amusing interactions throughout the gameplay. This element adds a layer of charm and encourages exploration.
“Take your time, play around, and find all the little hidden trinkets and funny interactions.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users with mid-tier gaming PCs report that the game's performance is generally smooth and manageable, indicating effective optimization for a range of hardware. However, specific performance metrics may vary depending on individual setups.
“Performance is hard to judge for me as I have a mid-tier gaming PC that can handle gems like this without a sweat.”
