Wind Peaks
- July 28, 2020
- Actoon Studio
- 3h median play time
There’s certainly something to be said for a game that leaves me thinking about it and wanting more. Wind Peaks definitely grew on me. But, reaching the end after playing for just over three hours (and getting all achievements) is a tough pill to swallow for a $14.99 game. I hope the sequel plays it less conservatively.
Wind Peaks is a charming adventure puzzle game that follows a group of young campers on a quest to uncover the secrets of a mysterious forest. Players will solve puzzles, collect hidden items, and experience a heartwarming story in a hand-drawn, cartoon-style world. With its relaxing gameplay and vibrant visuals, Wind Peaks offers a peaceful retreat for players of all ages.
Reviews
- The game features a charming art style and relaxing atmosphere, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
- It includes light puzzles and a hint system that helps players find hidden objects, adding a layer of engagement.
- The game is suitable for short play sessions, making it a fun and casual experience for those who enjoy hidden object games.
- The game is very short, with many players completing it in under three hours, leading to concerns about its value for the price.
- Many objects are hidden in frustrating ways, often obscured by other elements, making it tedious to find them.
- The story is minimal and lacks depth, with some players feeling that the game is repetitive and doesn't offer enough variety in gameplay.
- story29 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, presented through comic-style scenes with minimal voice acting. While some players appreciate the cute art style and find the narrative enjoyable, many express frustration over its brevity, vague elements, and an unsatisfying cliffhanger ending that suggests a continuation that may not come soon. Overall, the story serves as a light backdrop to the gameplay but leaves players wanting more substance and resolution.
“The art style and story elements are both enjoyable, but it's lacking in content.”
“Loved the story to drive the game and look forward to season 2 :)”
“Super cute seek and find game that incorporates environmental puzzles and moving of objects as well as adorable characters and a story-line.”
“The bare-bones story is awful and the ending is infuriating.”
“Somewhat annoyed that what little story it has ends in a cliffhanger, revealing this is supposed to be season 1 of more to come, but doesn't seem like it's being continued anytime soon.”
“All the levels were very similar, just looking through bushes and the story didn't make much sense or add much.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming and whimsical art style, which many players find visually appealing and immersive. However, some users note technical issues, such as pixelation on high-resolution displays and unfinished UI elements, which detract from the overall experience. While the graphics are considered a highlight, they are seen as underutilized in a game that lacks depth and content.
“The art style and story elements are both enjoyable, but it's lacking in content.”
“The graphics are fun, there's a little story with cutscenes as you go, and I like getting 100% achievements in games, which this one makes easy 'cause all you have to do is beat it.”
“I love the whimsical art style.”
“Many of the spawn points were selected before a major update that changed some of the graphics, which means that now some spawn points are behind unmovable items.”
“When zooming in, some graphics are pixelated or smudged on my 4K monitor, which is distracting.”
“You do see a bit of weirdness in some scenes at times, signs that these scenes are layered graphics that sometimes have weird cuts, but it's really nothing major.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay received mixed reviews; while some players appreciated the cute art style and found certain gameplay elements enjoyable, many felt that the mechanics were underutilized and the level design lacked depth. Critics noted that key interactions, such as shaking trees and moving objects, were limited to tutorials and did not enhance the overall experience.
“The art is cute and the gameplay is fun.”
“The art style is very pretty and there are many little gameplay elements and surprises that set it apart from other search-type games.”
“That being said, the art is nice and I enjoyed the gameplay, and I absolutely wasn't rushing.”
“I liked the art style of the game, but I found the gameplay rather lacking.”
“I took my time and eeked out less than 3 hours of gameplay.”
“Frankly, I would have expected the mechanics of 'shaking the tree', 'moving the bush', and 'pushing the rocks' to have an impact in the game, but they are never used elsewhere than in the tutorial that introduces those.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its decent quality and art style, while others find it monotonous and easy to overlook, likening it to a lack of a soundtrack. Overall, the music is described as good but not particularly memorable, with some users noting the absence of voice acting.
“It has nice music and art style, and the gameplay is not too difficult.”
“The music is okayish.”
“It's so easy to not pay any attention to it, like there's no soundtrack at all.”
“Monotonous music, no voice acting at all.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its immersive quality and engaging storyline interactions. The gentle movement of trees contributes to a serene and enjoyable vibe, enhancing the overall experience.
“I liked the atmosphere and the storyline interactions.”
“Amazing atmosphere; I vibed with it.”
“The trees gently swaying added a very nice touch to the atmosphere of the game.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as nice and funny, complemented by cute drawings and a charming storyline, creating a simple yet delightful experience.
“Nice and funny, with cute drawings and a unique story.”
“Simple, funny, and lovely.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be boring and tedious, often feeling uninspired by the repetitive tasks required to locate elusive items. Suggestions for improvement include implementing a hint system to alleviate some of the frustration associated with item hunting.
“Boring, tedious, and uninspiring.”
“Add a system for item location hints (cryptic ones if you must) to give the player a better, less tedious chance to find that last elusive item in a huge forest.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game evokes nostalgia and joy, reminiscent of childhood experiences in a library, creating a sense of wonder and excitement as players engage in exploration and discovery.
“It's short, sweet, and it made me feel like a kid again in a library trying to find every single item off a list.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game is straightforward and unobtrusive, appealing to players who appreciate its meditative item-hunting aesthetic without relying on large budgets or aggressive advertising.
Critic Reviews
Wind Peaks (Nintendo Switch)
There’s certainly something to be said for a game that leaves me thinking about it and wanting more. Wind Peaks definitely grew on me. But, reaching the end after playing for just over three hours (and getting all achievements) is a tough pill to swallow for a $14.99 game. I hope the sequel plays it less conservatively.
65%Wind Peaks Review
80%Wind Peaks Review
75%