LostWinds
- March 24, 2016
- Frontier Developments
- 3h median play time
"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.
Reviews
- Charming graphics and a relaxing atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience.
- The wind manipulation mechanic is unique and adds a fun twist to platforming and puzzle-solving.
- The game is short but sweet, making it a great option for casual gamers or those looking for a quick playthrough.
- The game is very short, with many players completing it in under three hours, leaving a sense of incompleteness.
- Controls can be frustrating, especially when using the mouse for wind manipulation, leading to occasional awkward gameplay moments.
- Frequent crashes and lack of options (like audio settings) detract from the overall experience.
- story80 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and somewhat generic, often revolving around classic themes of adventure and heroism, such as saving a town from peril. While some players appreciate its charm and emotional resonance, others find it lacking in depth and resolution, particularly noting that it ends on a cliffhanger, necessitating a sequel for a complete narrative experience. Overall, the story is seen as enjoyable and fitting for a casual gaming experience, complemented by appealing graphics and music.
“A journey of wonder, a story to unfold.”
“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 story is generic and forgettable.”
“The game leaves you on a cliffhanger just to make you buy the second game; it doesn't even end the story.”
“This game does not only end in a sequel hook/cliffhanger, it doesn't even have the decency to finish the story set up in this one.”
- gameplay71 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Lostwinds is characterized by its charming wind-manipulation mechanics, which offer a unique and engaging experience, though they can be clunky and frustrating at times. While the game is visually appealing and features simple, intuitive controls, many players find the overall gameplay to be minimal and lacking in challenge, with a short playtime that may not justify its price. Overall, it provides a casual and relaxing puzzle platforming experience, but some players feel it could benefit from more depth and content.
“The gameplay is very unique and makes the experience more enjoyable than it would be otherwise.”
“A very cute little game, with a fun (although sometimes a bit finicky) mechanic of platforming with the help of wind spirits, with lovely visuals and a nice atmosphere.”
“Lost Winds is a casual puzzle platform game where the player uses different wind abilities as the primary mechanic.”
“The biggest disappointment has to do with what I alluded to in the introductory paragraph, which is how minimal the gameplay is.”
“I hit a couple of frustrations, one with the controls and one with the gameplay learning loop; the mechanic needed for the final boss is not needed before that point in the game, even though it exists for the final half.”
“Conclusion, there isn't much content involved in Lost Winds; it's really short and the gameplay is for kids.”
- graphics56 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute art style, with many reviewers noting the bright colors and beautiful animations that create a relaxing atmosphere. While some mention that the graphics may not be technically advanced or detailed by modern standards, the overall aesthetic is considered enchanting and well-suited to the game's lighthearted nature. Despite a few criticisms regarding controls and camera issues, the visuals are generally seen as a highlight, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
“The art style is so charming; it's like the game is giving you a warm hug 🤗”
“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.”
“The game's delivering an okay graphic with okay puzzles, but nothing hooked me.”
“Graphically, the game is simple, being a WiiWare port.”
- music55 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as soothing and beautiful, enhancing the overall atmosphere with its tranquil melodies. However, many reviewers noted the limited variety, with only a few tracks that can become repetitive over time. While some found the soundtrack enchanting and fitting for the game's aesthetic, others expressed a desire for more diverse musical compositions or the option to mute the music entirely.
“The music, world, and art design create a seamlessly cute experience that's worth checking out.”
“Lostwinds embodies everything I want in a game - a beautiful art style, an emotional story, strong game mechanics, and a wonderful soundtrack.”
“The music is very tranquil and has a zen Japanese garden aesthetic that complements everything really well.”
“As other reviewers have mentioned, the music is a big let down.”
“There are only 2 tracks that play throughout the game that I recall: first is this panflute melody that is your general overworld track, and the second is this drumbeat that is the battle music.”
“I was initially very impressed by the soundtrack until realizing that the two songs I'd enjoyed were basically all there was.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Lost Winds" is characterized by its vibrant visuals and soothing soundtrack, creating a casual and immersive experience. Players appreciate the charming art style and the integration of wind mechanics, which enhance the overall ambiance, although some find the gameplay pace a bit too fast. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful aesthetics and pleasant atmosphere.
“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.”
“With that said, it runs smoothly; the art style and atmosphere are beautiful.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find "Lostwinds" to be a deeply emotional experience, highlighting its heartwarming narrative and beautiful art style that evoke strong feelings. The game successfully combines engaging mechanics with a touching story, creating a memorable adventure that resonates with players.
“Toku becomes my new partner in crime, and we embark on an adventure more heartwarming than a fuzzy blanket on a winter's day 🌬️❄️”
“A blessing on the winds, touching my world.”
“Lostwinds embodies everything I want in a game - a beautiful art style, an emotional story, strong game mechanics, and a wonderful soundtrack.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % 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.”
“I hope the sequel is better optimized because I really want to play it.”
“It's fairly poorly optimized.”
- humor3 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 mechanics that elicit funny reactions. Players enjoy the lighthearted moments created by these interactions, enhancing the overall comedic experience.
“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.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of Lostwinds to be tedious and occasionally frustrating, with some noting that the game's mechanics can feel repetitive. Despite its unique gameplay and low price, the experience is marred by crashes and a lack of challenge, leading to a generally boring grind.
“It's not a hard game, just a bit tedious.”
“Boring and tedious game that keeps crashing.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and straightforward gameplay, 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, leading to a consensus that the game may not justify its 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 playstyles to experiment with, the replayability is high, allowing players to enjoy the game in new ways each time.”
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report a stable experience with no glitches encountered during gameplay, allowing them to fully enjoy the engaging story.