Windblown

About

Windblown is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game. It was developed by Keplerghost and was released on October 24, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Brave the Vortex and dash your way to greatness in this lightning-fast action roguelike from the creators of Dead Cells. Alone or in coop, become the ultimate killing machine as you enhance your skills and master your weapons in search of that perfect run.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,930 reviews

gameplay519 positive mentions

optimization15 negative mentions

Fast-paced and fluid combat that feels satisfying and engaging.
Beautiful art style and an incredible soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
Great co-op multiplayer experience that adds to the fun and excitement of the game.

Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially with certain bosses that feel overtuned.
Limited content in early access, leading to repetitive gameplay after a few runs.
Some visual clutter can make it hard to see enemy attacks and manage combat effectively.

gameplay
1,106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The gameplay of Windblown is characterized by its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that blend elements from popular titles like Hades and Dead Cells, offering a satisfying combat experience with a focus on weapon combos and unique mechanics such as "alterattacks." While many players praise the engaging gameplay loop and the depth of build variety, some express concerns about the punishing "sudden death" mechanic in multiplayer, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a promising addition to the roguelike genre, with a solid foundation that is expected to improve as more content is added.
- “The gameplay is incredibly smooth, with visuals and a soundtrack that sync perfectly, creating a seamless flow without a single stutter or hitch in performance.”
- “The core gameplay loop is solid, blending elements of Hades (base interaction, camera, combat) with Dead Cells (a nearly identical weapon/trinket system).”
- “Fast-paced and responsive gameplay combined with a beautiful art style and a banger soundtrack makes Windblown well worth your time even in these early months of early access.”
- “In a game that is known for its speed, all these game mechanics somehow make the game feel very slow.”
- “While the core gameplay shines, the quests often feel repetitive and lack depth, which can detract from the otherwise stellar experience.”
- “The core gameplay might be fine, but the progression system is so punishing that it makes the entire experience feel frustrating and unrewarding.”
music
923 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its energetic and immersive quality. Composed by Danger, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, often being referred to as "banger" and "phenomenal." While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment, making it a key element of the experience.
- “The soundtrack is unbelievable and gets me so into this world, and I cannot get enough.”
- “Complementing the visuals is a pulsing soundtrack by Danger, whose synth-heavy tunes perfectly match the game’s energetic pace and atmosphere, enhancing both the frantic battles and the quieter moments in the hub world.”
- “The music is phenomenal, and really ties the game together.”
- “I mute the game music now and just listen to my own, but coming from one of the greatest OSTs I've heard to extremely repetitive house music was not the move.”
- “The music is so atrocious it killed my soul, enjoyment and all expectations from the game.”
- “On top of the visuals getting grating on the eyes after 10 minutes, the music gets repetitive just as fast.”
graphics
457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and colorful art style, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the unique and charming visuals, noting that they complement the fast-paced action and fluid combat mechanics. However, some users have expressed concerns about the brightness and occasional visual clutter, which can hinder clarity during intense moments. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal.
- “The visuals are stunning, combat is snappy and progress seems very rewarding.”
- “Windblown is a gorgeous roguelite with stunning visuals and an incredible soundtrack that pulls you into its world.”
- “The art style is colorful and unique, and the controls are smooth and easy to learn.”
- “I'm also not a fan of the art style: it is too bright and flashy.”
- “Fyi, I run my game at the lowest possible settings and still die constantly due to freeze-frame issues, and I have a fairly decent graphics card and plenty of RAM.”
- “The graphics are rough around the edges, as expected.”
story
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
3%
The game's story is currently minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop to its gameplay mechanics, with many players expressing a desire for deeper narrative elements and character development. While some appreciate the intriguing premise and environmental storytelling, others find the quest structure repetitive and lacking in depth. Overall, there is optimism for future updates to enhance the story, as players recognize the potential for a richer narrative experience.
- “The gameplay loop is fast-paced and fun while leaving a pretty good story to uncover and mysteries to think about as the game develops.”
- “The characters are cute, well-designed, and memorable, making the story engaging and interesting-- I really enjoy the learn-as-you-play dynamic, and I haven't had this much fun during a roguelike since The Binding of Isaac.”
- “The world has potential for a good story which is, as of now, just sprouting.”
- “The story is only barely present, and the progression mostly boils down to unlocking items similar to other roguelites.”
- “While the core gameplay shines, the quests often feel repetitive and lack depth, which can detract from the otherwise stellar experience.”
- “The characters and story are still meh for me; it might get better.”
optimization
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
71%
15%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, where frame rates can drop significantly during intense sequences. While some users report solid performance on high-end PCs, others note stuttering and lag in specific areas, especially during combat or when numerous effects are present. Overall, players hope for continued improvements in optimization as the game progresses through early access.
- “Gameplay is great especially with friends, graphics are good and performance/stability is extremely good.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly smooth, with visuals and a soundtrack that sync perfectly, creating a seamless flow without a single stutter or hitch in performance.”
- “Buttery smooth performance, very few bugs, excellent visuals... it'll just keep getting better!”
- “Your quality of fun heavily relies on your positioning with a 2-inch dash and trying not to get completely screwed by the game's lack of optimization or poorly timed attacks due to slow animations on weapons.”
- “The worst part about this game is the optimization; I've encountered bugs where my screen would freeze for 3 seconds, I'd be able to walk around and run, and it would freeze again, repeating this same loop.”
- “The game's performance is quite all over the place; I am well above the recommended specs and it's still rather unstable, with some areas running worse even though less is going on than in other areas.”
replayability
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
38%
5%
Overall, the game boasts very high replayability, driven by diverse build options, procedural generation, and a variety of weapons and mechanics that encourage experimentation. While some players note that the current content is limited due to its early access status, many express optimism for future updates that could enhance replay value further. The engaging gameplay loop and modular difficulty settings contribute to a satisfying experience that keeps players coming back for more.
- “Very high replayability with a lot of build diversity across the existing weapons, trinkets, and gifts, in addition to weapon perk synergy and just a lot of awesome stuff.”
- “The fact that it is endlessly replayable is just icing on the delicious game cake.”
- “There's already a ton of replayability with a good chunk of weapons, gifts, and trinkets variety that play off of each other in all manner of unique ways.”
- “Currently quickly played through and not so much replay value; nothing new comes out, just to max out your character, but it's early access and the promise is for more.”
- “At the time of this review, there is not that much content or much replay value to be had.”
- “After getting through the story and unlocking almost everything, I feel almost no interest in replaying - unlike Dead Cells, which has far higher replay value and depth of progression.”
grinding
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
3%
95%
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, with many players finding it tedious and slow, particularly when it comes to unlocking essential items and upgrades. While some appreciate the challenge and the rewarding nature of combat, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall enjoyment, making progression feel like a chore. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some players enjoying the grind as part of the roguelike experience, while others find it excessive and uninspired.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Essential unlocks (health flasks, necessary items) also require grinding, making progression very slow.”
- “Extremely unforgiving, extremely grindy, and not particularly satisfying.”
- “The meta progression is pretty grindy with very little growth between runs - you'll be relying mostly on building skill, learning to time dashes, and learning just to not use melee weapons.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
28%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant visuals, immersive art style, and an energetic soundtrack that enhances both combat and exploration. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of music and gameplay, creating a captivating experience that encourages players to return even after challenging runs. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as unique, engaging, and beautifully crafted, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.
- “Complementing the visuals is a pulsing soundtrack by Danger, whose synth-heavy tunes perfectly match the game’s energetic pace and atmosphere, enhancing both the frantic battles and the quieter moments in the hub world.”
- “Its mesmerizing art style and deeply atmospheric soundtrack immediately immerse you in a world that feels both fragile and alive.”
- “The atmosphere is unique and surreal, reminiscent of Bastion, and uses the same camera angle that Hades also employs.”
- “The atmosphere, music, gameplay, art style, and character designs are bloody amazing.”
- “While it's strongly reminiscent of Hades, I found myself more eager to keep playing because it didn't have the same oppressive atmosphere of that game.”
- “The soundtracks, the atmosphere, and the challenge bring back vibes from Hades and Dead Cells.”
humor
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying the comedic elements of gameplay, such as the absurdity of dying early and the amusing interactions between funny characters and creatures. The combination of fast-paced action, witty dialogue, and entertaining mechanics creates a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, especially when playing with friends. While some bugs and balance issues are noted, they often add to the humor rather than detract from it, making for a fun and engaging roguelike experience.
- “Especially if you're playing with a friend, you can achieve some pretty bonkers builds where your builds synergize with each other and you can melt/cheese enemies in hilarious ways.”
- “The game is beautiful, great style, great music/sound, crisp reactions, and small but funny conversations.”
- “With fast-paced, addictive combat, an amazing soundtrack, and a colorful world full of funny characters, it’s got all the ingredients for roguelite greatness.”
character development
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
19%
10%
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised for its distinctive and beautiful designs, which enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the unique character aesthetics, animations, and the seamless integration of art and music, contributing to an engaging atmosphere. While some reviews mention that character development could be more pronounced, the general consensus highlights the creativity and variety in character design as a standout feature.
- “The character designs and environment work in tandem with the amazing soundtrack to shape an unforgettable experience.”
- “Hades is amazing because it has a through-line on plot and character development throughout the game.”
- “I only hope Twin Motion considers bringing the character designs to resemble the intro!”
- “The aesthetics, art style, character design, and soundtrack are all incredibly crafted and original.”
stability
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
3%
66%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting occasional visual glitches, lags, and performance issues, particularly during intense gameplay moments. While some players have experienced significant bugs, especially in multiplayer and boss encounters, others have noted that the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck. Many reviewers express optimism that the developers will address these issues, given the game's early access status.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck, which is even better.”
- “The game is fast and fun, runs great on the Steam Deck with minor lag here and there; overall worth the money.”
- “Relatively bug-free, but I have experienced one or two crashes so far.”
- “In a game designed around tight dodges and quick movement, FPS drops and micro-freezes are far more noticeable and annoying than they would be in a different kind of game.”
- “I love it, but I can't recommend a game that has a polished beginning and then starts getting buggy 3 hours in, when it's too late to refund it... I'm sure they'll fix it and all, but that's a bit much to me.”
- “Here, in addition to the bad balance, there also lacks optimization: lags, freezes, drops in FPS - all this, of course, is present here to the maximum.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the emotional depth and potential of the game, praising its ability to evoke strong feelings through character development and immersive environments. The combination of strategic gameplay and emotional storytelling creates a meaningful experience, with some players expressing that it has moved them to tears. Overall, the game is recognized for its emotional resonance, enhancing both victories and defeats.
- “The game feels loaded with emotional potential; I'd love to see it fulfilled.”
- “*windblown* delivers a stunning mix of strategy, adventure, and emotional storytelling, setting a new benchmark in the rogue-like genre.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters and the haunting beauty of the environments make every victory—and defeat—meaningful.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game is priced at $25 with a current discount bringing it to around $18, and it features no microtransactions, which many players appreciate as a return to a more traditional gaming experience. Reviewers feel that the game could compete with AAA titles if it had a larger advertising budget, highlighting its quality compared to more expensive games that rely on monetization strategies. Overall, the lack of monetization practices is seen as a positive aspect by players.
- “In my late 40s, so my reaction time isn't what it used to be. That said, this company and this game really take me back to the days of gaming before monetization was normal and accepted.”
- “In my late 40's, so my reaction time isn't what it used to be. That said, this company and this game really take me back to the days of gaming before monetization was normal and accepted.”
- “The game costs $25 with no microtransactions. It is on discount right now for about $18. This is all conversion from my currency, so I'm unsure how much it will be for you exactly.”
- “Could be a triple-A game if it had the same advertising budget as big-name companies.”