The Stillness of the Wind

Only fiddly controls and minor pacing issues mar a melancholic and affecting story, simply and refreshingly told.

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In "The Stillness of the Wind" , you play as Talma, the last resident of a departed village, living a solitary life and maintaining a farm. Engage in daily routines like tending to goats, making cheese, growing vegetables, and scaring off birds. As the traveling merchant brings letters from the city, a contrasting view of life and loss emerges in this quiet, introspective game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 522 reviews

story84 positive mentions

grinding83 negative mentions

Beautiful art style and atmosphere that enhances the emotional experience.
Engaging and poignant storytelling that explores themes of loneliness, aging, and loss.
Unique gameplay that encourages players to reflect on the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

Slow pacing and repetitive tasks can lead to boredom and frustration.
Limited gameplay mechanics and lack of clear objectives may leave players feeling unfulfilled.
Bugs and glitches can disrupt the experience, causing confusion and hindering progress.

story
312 mentions
27 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant exploration of loneliness, loss, and the passage of time, primarily conveyed through letters from the protagonist's family. While some players found the narrative beautiful and emotionally resonant, others criticized it for being vague, confusing, and lacking depth, often feeling that the gameplay mechanics detracted from the storytelling experience. Overall, it is a short, slow-paced game that prioritizes atmosphere and introspection over traditional gameplay, appealing to those who appreciate narrative-driven experiences.
- “A story that truly evokes emotion, especially after investing the time we put into it.”
- “Beautiful art style and a story that discusses our mortality and the choices we made along the way.”
- “What starts as a beautifully simple slice of life game takes a slow spiral into a gnawing story about loss and how things fall apart.”
- “I won't spoil the ending (or rather, endings?) but it just leaves you kind of empty, and I spent time picking up and clicking on everything I could find that would give me more story and background and I'm still not entirely sure what happened.”
- “The story is just confusing.”
- “After taking care of farms/goats/making cheese for half an hour you've seen all the game has to offer gameplay-wise and you're really just spending the next 3 hours waiting for the mailman to expand on the story for you.”
gameplay
109 mentions
22 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Stillness of the Wind" is characterized by its slow pace and minimalistic mechanics, focusing on daily farm tasks like milking goats and growing crops. While some players appreciate the calming and introspective nature of the gameplay, many criticize it for being tedious, glitchy, and lacking in variety, which detracts from the overall experience. Ultimately, the game prioritizes narrative over engaging gameplay, making it more of an emotional journey than a traditional gaming experience.
- “It has an addictive and calm gameplay; everything felt the way it should as a relaxing type of game for the first few days, but soon things will start to change.”
- “The slow pace and minimalistic mechanics contribute to this ambiance, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the game's introspective narrative.”
- “The gameplay consists of Talma's day-to-day life on the farm and reading the letters sent to her by her distant family.”
- “On the other hand, the few gameplay mechanics that do exist are broken.”
- “The gameplay itself is very slow, but due to the nature of the game, I am willing to let it slide.”
- “The stillness of the wind bundles a beautiful art style, wonderful soundtrack, and interesting story, then soils the whole thing with tedious gameplay that never ends up being enjoyable.”
grinding
83 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that while "The Stillness of the Wind" incorporates farming mechanics, it is not a traditional farming simulator; instead, it serves as a backdrop for a deeper, often melancholic narrative. Many players found the gameplay tedious and repetitive, with the farming tasks feeling more like a means to pass time rather than a rewarding experience. Overall, the game is characterized by its slow pace and emotional storytelling, which may not appeal to those seeking a more engaging farming simulation.
- “It's not actually a farming simulator.”
- “Nothing you do matters and the farming element is 100% just something to do while they drip-feed you a very bleak and confusing story.”
- “The stillness of the wind bundles a beautiful art style, wonderful soundtrack and interesting story then soils the whole thing with tedious gameplay that never ends up being enjoyable.”
emotional
75 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings, with many players reporting that it made them cry and left them feeling heartbroken yet uplifted. The narrative intertwines themes of love, loss, and introspection, often surprising players who initially expect a light-hearted experience. While some found the pacing and gameplay frustrating, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a poignant and thought-provoking emotional journey that resonates long after playing.
- “Beautiful, heart-wrenching, heartwarming... this game will uplift you while gutting you emotionally.”
- “It is highly recommended because of how I felt when I reached the ending, and it made me feel some emotions I didn't want to feel, but I appreciated it anyway and made me pause and think a lot after the ending.”
- “This game is far from perfect, but the story is brilliant and emotional, and while the gameplay isn't always great, the game doesn't overstay its welcome.”
graphics
54 mentions
57 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the emotional storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the soothing color palette and charming visuals, although some note that technical issues and gameplay limitations detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's aesthetics are considered its strongest aspect, providing a visually pleasing and immersive experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.
- “The art style is beautiful and it just feels so wholesome to play the game.”
- “The graphics are stylized, which makes for a unique visual experience, but regardless of what functions you actually perform on the farm, the outcome is always the same.”
- “The color theme is very enticing and pleasing to the eye, along with the art style where details are soft and are playfully put together.”
- “Despite its aesthetics, the game is not comfy, nor laid back.”
- “Lovely atmosphere and aesthetic but just plain bad game design in many areas, and game-breaking bugs that remain unaddressed months and years after being reported.”
- “The graphics are stylized which makes for a unique visual experience, but regardless of what functions you actually perform on the farm, the outcome is always the same.”
atmosphere
37 mentions
57 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beauty and immersive qualities, creating a serene and sometimes mysterious environment that enhances the storytelling experience. Many players appreciate the atmospheric soundtrack and art style, which contribute to a contemplative and emotional journey, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and narrative clarity. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as a key element, making it particularly appealing for fans of slow, atmospheric games.
- “Absolutely gorgeous story and atmosphere; it was truly an experience.”
- “One of the standout aspects of the game is its serene atmosphere.”
- “The stillness of the wind is like a slow horror movie or an existential book, the kind that is all atmosphere with hints of terror and philosophy mingled in the mundane day-to-day situations.”
- “The stillness of the wind is like a slow horror movie or an existential book, the kind that is all atmosphere and with hints of terror and philosophy mingled in the mundane day-to-day situations.”
- “Gameplay is tedious which I wouldn't mind if the story or atmosphere carried the rest of the game, but it doesn't.”
- “A few minor bugs here and there, that should be addressed, as they put a slight damper on the atmosphere and immersion.”
music
28 mentions
39 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional experience. Players appreciate the ambient soundtrack, which evokes nostalgia and tranquility, complementing the charming art style. While the gameplay may be repetitive, the elegant and blissful music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a memorable experience.
- “The designs are beautiful and the music is so relaxing... I recommend it!!!”
- “What really grabs my attention is the ambient music playing in the background; it's incredibly soothing and evokes a sense of nostalgia.”
- “The art style, accompanied by a soothing soundtrack, creates a sense of peace and tranquility that envelops the player throughout their time in Talma's world.”
- “The laughter and songs stop coming.”
- “The game is quite beautiful with a charming design and soothing soundtrack but do not expect exciting gameplay.”
- “Farming does take time and is repetitive, but the relaxing music and Talma's laugh and happy tunes show her contentment and happiness despite living alone doing the usual routine.”
replayability
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, with some players noting a few different endings and collectible gathering as the main incentives to replay. However, many reviewers emphasize that the story remains largely linear and unchanging, leading to a consensus that the game lacks significant replay value. While it may be worth experiencing once, the overall sentiment suggests that it does not encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “There's a few different endings, so some replayability.”
- “Short game but has a limited amount of replayability if you want to see all endings or try to find out more story tidbits.”
- “Only real form of replayability for interested players lies in gathering collectibles scattered around the area you might have missed, which slightly change the ending screen.”
- “It's not a replayable game, for the story never changes.”
- “After one playthrough, I have the impression that the game's story is pretty linear, and there isn't a lot of replayability.”
- “I definitely recommend it, but be aware that it has no replay value.”
stability
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by numerous small glitches, including visual issues and bugs that can hinder progress, leading to frustration for players. While the atmosphere and graphics are generally appreciated, the frequent technical problems and clumsy controls detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “Not to mention I had 2 glitches that prevented progress, but it took a very long time to figure that out because there isn't anything engaging to do in this game.”
- “Cute at first but I quickly got overwhelmed with small glitches that made the snail's pace the game plays at even more frustrating.”
- “I hate giving a bad review to an indie dev that seems to have poured their heart into this game but so many bugs and glitches, not to mention clumsy controls.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by nostalgic elements, such as the sounds of children playing, and clever, pun-filled dialogues that add a lighthearted touch, exemplified by lines like "this lack of cheese is dairy dairy depressing." Overall, the humor effectively blends playful nostalgia with witty wordplay.
- “The funny dialogues are a highlight; for example, when you don't have many cheeses stocked, the merchant says, 'This lack of cheese is dairy dairy depressing!' (very very = dairy dairy)”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of depth, making it challenging for players to connect with the protagonist, Talma, and her experiences of aging and isolation. While the theme of cherishing life and relationships is prominent, the insufficient development of characters detracts from the emotional impact of the narrative.
- “The main theme of the game is aging and how, at the end of the day, enjoying every day of your life until the end is as important as having people around you when death comes. However, Talma's isolation and loss of real contact with family, especially due to the lack of actual character development, makes it difficult to care about.”
- “Character development feels shallow and unengaging, leaving me disconnected from the characters' journeys and struggles.”
- “Despite the game's interesting premise, the characters remain one-dimensional, making it hard to invest emotionally in their stories.”