Windbound

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 673 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Windbound Game Cover
Windbound follows Kara as she must rebuild her boat and discover the truth behind a long-forgotten battle between the land and sea.
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"Windbound" is a single-player Role Playing Game with an interesting plot and good mechanics, featuring a shipwrecked warrior, Kara, who must explore and adapt to survive on uncharted, mysterious islands. The game boasts masterful graphics and music, while also being somewhat grinding and buggy. Players must hunt, craft, and defend themselves against wild creatures, uncovering the islands' secrets and potentially finding their way home.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 673 reviews
gameplay79 positive mentions
stability58 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and graphics that evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.
  • Engaging sailing mechanics that provide a unique experience compared to other survival games.
  • Relaxing atmosphere with a soothing soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Clunky combat system that feels unresponsive and lacks depth, making encounters frustrating.
  • Limited inventory space and resource management that can lead to tedious gameplay and constant backtracking.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop with minimal variation in objectives and environments across chapters, leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
  • gameplay296 mentions

    The gameplay of Windbound is a mixed bag, with standout sailing mechanics and beautiful visuals often overshadowed by clunky combat and frustrating survival elements. While the exploration and crafting aspects can be enjoyable, many players find the resource management and death mechanics overly punishing, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its potential, the game struggles with balancing its various mechanics, leading to a gameplay loop that can feel tedious and unrefined.

    • “The sailing mechanics are the shining core of this game.”
    • “From the excellent sailing mechanics, through the uplifting score by Zander Hulme to the near perfect crafting tree… it’s obvious a lot of love has gone into this game.”
    • “The gameplay loop is to climb (jump) on 3 different 40-foot tall pillars on 5 levels.”
    • “However, the resource management mechanic is really, really broken in the first chapter.”
    • “Survival: one of the worst survival games to date, there are multiple other games with much better survival/crafting mechanics and gameplay than this one.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely tedious.”
  • story266 mentions

    The story in Windbound is described as intriguing yet simplistic, often conveyed through minimalistic means such as environmental storytelling and murals, rather than extensive dialogue. While some players appreciate the emotional resonance and beautiful visuals, many criticize the narrative for being thin and repetitive, with a lack of depth and character development. Overall, the game offers a cozy exploration experience, but those seeking a rich, immersive story may find it lacking.

    • “The story makes it worthwhile, and I find myself coming back to it even after fully completing the game many times over.”
    • “The silent and progressive storytelling is great, and the story itself has kept me interested enough to where I want to reach the end and see it all.”
    • “The story is intriguing and fun, the mechanics are enjoyable, and the graphics are evidently cartoonish but very pretty and captivating.”
    • “The story is abstract and insipid, and the music very underwhelming/amateurish.”
    • “The story is very thin, and mainly serves as a backstory to the main point of the game, which is just to survive to the end.”
    • “I see her fall into water at the beginning and then? It really lacks in giving us a compelling reason to have any sort of connection or care about what is going on.”
  • graphics172 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful, cel-shaded art style reminiscent of titles like "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker" and "Breath of the Wild." Many players appreciate the vibrant color palette and atmospheric visuals, which contribute to an immersive experience, despite some minor performance issues and graphical bugs. Overall, the game's aesthetics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.

    • “Lovely graphics, really a dream world to look at.”
    • “Graphics, animation and art style are all incredibly beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the world is very atmospheric.”
    • “Graphically it's pretty lo-fi and the soft and simple color palette is warm and vibrant.”
    • “The graphics look unfinished.”
    • “There are also many graphical errors to be fixed when climbing, sailing and dodging on certain terrain but they are not the main issue, just persistent enough to warrant mentioning.”
  • music155 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beauty and fittingness, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Many players appreciate the adaptive nature of the soundtrack, which changes according to gameplay elements, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.

    • “The music is beautiful.”
    • “I absolutely adore the soundtrack, and you can tell the composer loves his craft.”
    • “The music is really pleasant, fitting, and has the nice touch of being adaptive.”
    • “The story is abstract and insipid, and the music is very underwhelming and amateurish.”
    • “I had to keep clicking in and out of the game to a music player for stream so that they weren't listening to just nothingness for large extents of time.”
    • “The music in the game gets repetitive after 10 minutes, especially when you have 2-3 tracks overlapping each other.”
  • stability59 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing, clunky combat mechanics, and issues with character movement. While some users find these glitches manageable and not game-breaking, others express frustration over the frequency and severity of the issues, suggesting that the game feels unfinished and in need of significant optimization. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game has potential, its current state is marred by technical problems that detract from the overall experience.

    • “There's no glitches or lag, and the game is pretty amazing.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it really enhances my enjoyment.”
    • “My biggest problem with this game is the sheer repetition of the tasks and the absolutely messy and clunky combat system, which feels unresponsive and buggy.”
    • “Oh yeah, my playthrough came to an end this last time because I fell through the floor, and the game autosaved on me, no way for me to die (stuck inside the rock) and quitting and coming back just put me right back there... what I might have given 9/10 gets 3/10 at best, for just how buggy everything feels, it's more an alpha than even 'early' access feel to it sadly.”
    • “A fun and interesting game with a lot of potential, marred and held back by massive bugs, glitches, and poor optimization.”
  • atmosphere28 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals, beautiful art style, and immersive music, creating a relaxing and enchanting experience. While some players note moments of emptiness or repetition, the overall ambiance, particularly during sailing, is described as captivating and well-integrated with the gameplay. Despite some criticisms regarding controls and enemy design, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that draws players in.

    • “Overall, the game offers an amazing experience with a really nice and relaxing atmosphere.”
    • “Altogether it creates a really enthralling mystical atmosphere.”
    • “Windbound is a game that is brimming with potential both in atmosphere and gameplay, and is a beautiful idea in that right.”
    • “In my opinion, this new enemy doesn't add anything to the lore and ruins the ocean atmosphere.”
    • “Windbound tries to be a lot of things, and while it may not succeed in some of them, it thrives in its atmosphere and sailing mechanics.”
    • “Even though the game has its bugs, I love the atmosphere and general feel of this game.”
  • grinding26 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be excessively tedious, particularly in inventory management, crafting, and sailing mechanics. While some players find a sense of accomplishment in overcoming early challenges, many express frustration with repetitive tasks, poor drop rates, and the overall slow progression, which detracts from the enjoyment of exploration and combat. Ultimately, the grind can feel more like a chore than a rewarding experience, especially as the novelty wears off.

    • “Combat feels nice, crafting isn't too tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Repetition is fine and all, but there's a line between grinding and doing the exact same thing over and over when it takes forever just to get to where you were.”
    • “It is somewhat fun to unlock new crafting options and build up your boat (raft), but grinding materials quickly becomes a chore.”
  • replayability19 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting limited value due to repetitive content and predictable environments, while others appreciate the procedural generation of levels that offers new challenges. Many reviewers express disappointment in the lack of additional content or modes after completing the story, leading to a general consensus that replayability is not a strong point of the game. A few players do find enjoyment in aspects like boat building and different difficulty settings, but these features alone do not significantly enhance replay value for most.

    • “The entire game has a good deal of replayability, as the levels are procedurally generated and hold different challenges and treasures each time you play.”
    • “Good, kindly realistic sailing in a way, very fun, few bugs, good replayability.”
    • “Infinite replayability and respawning depending on difficulty selected.”
    • “Replayability is limited, and after completing it once I don't want to go back.”
    • “I would refund if I could, because it fails to deliver that potential in so many ways, and has little replayability.”
    • “Also if you beat the game there is no replay value like unlocked content, harder difficulties, even a freeplay mode would have been awesome.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance and impressive visuals, often achieving high frame rates even at maximum settings. While some users experienced minor performance issues and occasional confusion regarding gameplay direction, the technical stability and lack of significant bugs or crashes contribute positively to the overall experience. However, a few players noted that the game may not be fully optimized for all systems, leading to varied experiences.

    • “Game runs smoothly on my PC, has an impressive art/visual style with a solid soundtrack, and I haven’t had any issues with crashes or bugs thus far.”
    • “And it does this while running at 1440p 150+ fps, so it’s definitely an optimized game if anything.”
    • “No performance issues, it runs very well at 1440p.”
    • “I don't know if it's just not optimized or directed well, but you're left on your own to figure things out, with no idea what to do and often having to restart.”
    • “Performance isn't that great.”
    • “The story is your typical indie, ambiguous nonsense, but it's fine overall. However, the gameplay ruins the experience, and while performance was mostly fine for me with everything maxed, it isn't an intensive game.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing mechanics and quirky animations, such as the hilariously small inventory system and the comical behavior of creatures and enemies. Players find joy in unexpected moments, like watching mobs roll down slopes or navigating incomplete boats, although some repetitive gags, like skyrocketing enemies, can lose their charm over time. Overall, the game delivers a lighthearted experience filled with laugh-out-loud scenarios amidst survival challenges.

    • “I've had really high highs, laughing at seeing a mob helplessly roll down a slope, and other hilarious and hair-raising moments near death with no food or potions, fighting to find the next few scraps to proceed to the next map.”
    • “The sailing mechanic needs some training on the player's side, and sometimes the physics cause some funny animations.”
    • “I think it's funny when you try to navigate in an incomplete boat and it ends up overturned in the middle of the sea.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players expressing deep investment in the protagonist's journey and experiencing moments of heartbreak and resonance, particularly towards the end. While some find the story somewhat thin and open to interpretation, the overall emotional impact is significant, enhanced by beautiful music and engaging gameplay elements. However, expectations for a different type of game may lead to mixed reviews from some players.

    • “Overall, the story is perhaps a bit thin (and told wordlessly, leaving a fair bit of room for interpretation until the end), but by the end of chapter 5, I had built enough investment in Kara's journey that the ending still had emotional resonance for me.”
    • “I cried at the end; good game :)”
    • “This is a wholesome game, peaceful yet challenging at times.”
  • character development2 mentions

    While the game features great character design and an engaging story, many users feel that it lacks sufficient character development, progression, and customization to truly qualify as an RPG.

    • “Great character design, lovely soundtrack, beautiful graphics - plus an interesting story and plenty of exploration.”
    • “Not enough character development, progression, or customization to be considered an RPG.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “There is a severe lack of choices that impact character development, making the experience feel linear.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of Satellite Reign has been met with mixed feelings, as players find the game's identity and gameplay loop compelling despite some confusion stemming from its pre-release marketing and interviews.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

Buy Windbound

Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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