LostWinds
- March 24, 2016
- Frontier Developments
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"LostWinds" is a single-player action game with an interesting plot and wonderful gameplay. As the wind spirit Enril, players help Toku on his quest to lift a curse from Mistralis by wielding elemental powers, solving puzzles, and battling enemies. The game features sensational visuals and a splendid soundtrack, bringing the land of Mistralis to life in this enchanting adventure.
iPad
iPhone
PC
Phone
Windows
Mobile Platform
Wii
Reviews
- Charming graphics and art style that create a visually appealing experience.
- Unique wind mechanics provide an interesting twist to platforming and puzzle-solving.
- Short and sweet gameplay, making it a relaxing experience for casual gamers.
- Very short playtime, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the full price.
- Controls can be frustrating, especially when using a mouse instead of the original Wii remote.
- The story feels incomplete, ending on a cliffhanger that requires purchasing the sequel for resolution.
- story116 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and basic, often following a familiar "good vs. evil" narrative structure, which some players found charming and nostalgic. While the graphics and music received praise, many noted that the story is short, leaving players on a cliffhanger that necessitates playing the sequel for a complete experience. Overall, the narrative is engaging enough to enhance the gameplay, but it lacks depth and character development.
“The story is enchanting, the gameplay’s serene.”
“Lostwinds embodies everything I want in a game - a beautiful art style, an emotional story, strong game mechanics, and a wonderful soundtrack.”
“The story is simple but relatable, the graphics are pretty with a lot of attention to detail, and the music is very relaxing.”
“The game is very much a 2D platformer and there's a little bit of a story, although if you've played games before or watched cartoons and/or movies, the story is quite generic (basically the classic 'our land is in peril, go on a fetch quest to defeat the enemy and save our town' type of story).”
“The story is basic, but it fits the game style and isn't overly drawn out.”
“The game leaves you on a cliffhanger just to make you buy the second game; it doesn't even end the story.”
- gameplay113 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique wind manipulation mechanics, which provide a whimsical and engaging experience, though it can feel repetitive and simplistic at times. While the controls are intuitive, they are often criticized for being clunky and imprecise, leading to frustrations during gameplay. Overall, the game offers a charming, casual puzzle-platforming experience, but its short length and minimal challenge may not appeal to those seeking more depth or complexity.
“The gameplay is very unique and makes the experience more enjoyable than it would be otherwise.”
“Enjoyable wind movement mechanic led the whole game experience to feel smooth.”
“The mechanics are well thought out and I like the puzzle element.”
“The biggest disappointment has to do with what I alluded to in the introductory paragraph, which is how minimal the gameplay is.”
“Gameplay is probably the biggest letdown.”
“Conclusion, there isn't much content involved in Lost Winds, it's really short and the gameplay is for kids.”
- graphics82 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charming and cute art style, with many reviewers noting the visuals as bright, colorful, and well-designed, evoking a warm and relaxing atmosphere. While some critiques mention that the graphics may not be technically advanced by modern standards, they still hold up well and contribute positively to the overall experience, especially for those who appreciate a more stylized aesthetic. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a highlight, enhancing its appeal to a younger audience and casual gamers.
“The visuals are soft, like a warm breeze.”
“The graphics and art style are bright and charming.”
“The graphics are absolutely beautiful, and the music is wonderful.”
“It's not the most advanced game in any way; graphics, story, and controls are all basic and by modern standards maybe even a little bad, but it's fun enough and on sale worth the low price.”
“[b]Graphics and sound:[/b] would have been fine on Wii 15 years ago, now it's mediocre at best.”
“The game's delivering an okay graphic with okay puzzles, but nothing hooked me.”
- music71 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as soothing and relaxing, enhancing the overall atmosphere with its gentle melodies, though it suffers from a lack of variety, featuring only a few tracks that can become repetitive over time. While many players appreciate the tranquil soundscapes that complement the game's visuals, some express frustration over the absence of volume controls and the abrupt transitions to battle music. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a charming addition that contributes positively to the game's enchanting experience, despite its limitations.
“The music, world, and art design create a seamlessly cute experience that's worth checking out.”
“The peaceful art style, music, and easy difficulty left me feeling rejuvenated and happy after each time I played it.”
“Lostwinds embodies everything I want in a game - a beautiful art style, an emotional story, strong game mechanics, and a wonderful soundtrack.”
“As other reviewers have mentioned, the music is a big let down.”
“My biggest annoyance with the music is the transition to battle drums every time an enemy appears on the screen.”
“I was initially very impressed by the soundtrack until realizing that the two songs I'd enjoyed were basically all there was.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Lost Winds" is widely praised for its vibrant visuals and soothing soundtrack, creating a casual and immersive experience. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful art, calming music, and engaging mechanics, although some note that the gameplay can feel a bit fast-paced. Overall, the game successfully delivers a charming and pleasant ambiance that enhances the adventure.
“The atmosphere of Lost Winds gives the player a casual experience with a visually vibrant world, and a beautiful and soothing soundtrack.”
“The music was soothing and the sound effects supported the atmosphere.”
“The game is well made and forgiving and has good graphics, sound, and atmosphere.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find "Lostwinds" to be a deeply emotional experience, characterized by its heartwarming narrative and beautiful art style. The game evokes a strong sense of accomplishment and connection, making it a standout in the wholesome gaming genre. Overall, it successfully combines engaging gameplay with a touching story and an impressive soundtrack.
“Toku becomes my new partner in crime, and we embark on an adventure more heartwarming than a fuzzy blanket on a winter's day 🌬️❄️”
“LostWinds embodies everything I want in a game - a beautiful art style, an emotional story, strong game mechanics, and a wonderful soundtrack.”
“Game designer: a heartwarming sense of accomplishment!”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing interactions between players and NPCs, particularly through the use of wind effects that elicit funny reactions. However, some players find it ironic that a game released in 2016 lacks gamepad support, leading to humorous frustrations with the controls. Overall, the comedic elements are appreciated, especially in how they enhance the gameplay experience.
“No gamepad support; this is pretty hilarious for a game like this released in 2016.”
“I liked pushing gusts of wind on people and seeing and hearing their funny reactions.”
“The NPCs also take notice when you move wind near them, which causes them to be funny.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of Lostwinds to be repetitive and tedious, primarily due to the reliance on mouse controls for movement and mechanics. While the game offers a unique experience and is considered affordable, the frequent crashes and the overall lack of challenge contribute to a sense of boredom during gameplay.
“Controlling the mechanics just using the mouse felt repetitive and tedious.”
“It's not a hard game, just a bit tedious.”
“Boring and tedious game that keeps crashing.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviews on optimization are mixed; while some users report smooth performance and a beautiful art style, others express concerns about poor optimization, indicating a desire for improvements in future installments.
“Had no performance issues at all.”
“With that said, it runs smoothly; the art style and atmosphere are beautiful.”
“I hope the sequel is better optimized because I really want to play it.”
“It's fairly poorly optimized.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report a stable experience with no significant glitches affecting gameplay, allowing them to fully enjoy the engaging story.
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and straightforward nature, allowing players to achieve 100% completion in just a few hours. The only incentive for replaying is collecting statues in each area, but this task is not particularly challenging, making the overall experience feel less valuable at full price.
“Each area has a collectible statue, which adds a layer of replay value. While it's not terribly difficult, I recommend collecting them all before facing the final boss.”
“The game offers multiple paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and encouraging you to explore different strategies.”
“With various character builds and play styles, the replayability is high as you can experience the game in numerous ways.”
“Although it has no replay value and is stupidly short, you can achieve 100% completion in a couple of hours, and for that, it's not worth its full price.”
“Each area has a collectible statue, which is kind of the only replay value, but it's not terribly difficult, so I'd say get them all before fighting the final (and only) boss.”
