Winds of Change
- August 21, 2019
- Klace
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam"Winds of Change" is a 2D visual novel/point-and-click adventure game set in a richly detailed fantasy world. As the Seer of Valinorth, you'll join the Rebellion and use your spiritual visions to guide your choices in a story inspired by Dragon Age and Mass Effect. With fully voiced dialogue, romance options, and a multitude of side quests, players can shape their role in the fight to liberate Alestia from tyrannical rule.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The story is engaging and emotionally impactful, with well-developed characters that players can connect with.
- The voice acting is superb, enhancing the overall experience and bringing the characters to life.
- The game features a unique blend of point-and-click mechanics and visual novel storytelling, allowing for exploration and interaction with the world.
- Some players found the pacing slow at the beginning, with lengthy dialogue that could feel drawn out.
- There is a noticeable lack of female characters and romance options, which may disappoint some players.
- The choices made throughout the game often feel less impactful than expected, leading to a sense of predictability in the story.
- story932 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Winds of Change" is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and engaging character development, with many players noting the significant influence of player choices on the narrative. While some critiques mention pacing issues and occasional plot holes, the overall consensus highlights a rich, immersive experience that combines fantasy elements with moral dilemmas, making it a standout title for fans of visual novels. The voice acting and art further enhance the storytelling, creating a memorable journey that resonates with players long after completion.
“An engaging story and great, complex characters, WOC is a must for any fan of visual novels.”
“The story is exceptional in every way, the music really hits hard in certain scenes, the characters are lovable, and the lore/world is extremely intricate.”
“The story, the cast of characters, the different paths you can take... all of it make for a great adventure.”
“So much of what happens in this game you are simply informed of, rather than shown, and the game seems breathlessly eager to repeat and over-explain plot points as if it is worried you will miss them if it doesn't hold your hand the entire way.”
“It frequently pretends that it does, encouraging you to agonize about your choices, only to shortly after reveal some as yet unforeseen plot twist that means the entire binary option was meaningless, and everything returns to the status quo.”
“To be blunt, this game tries to pull off a myriad of concepts, but ultimately, falls flat in terms of its execution, with its multiple narrative flaws, the illusion of choice, and a skewed moral system, it's hard to take this game seriously when your choices don't matter in the slightest because the writers cop-out and play it safe whenever an 'important' decision needs to be made, ridding crucial points of the story of meaning and emotion.”
- music278 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the story, with many players praising the quality of the soundtrack and the inclusion of vocal tracks that complement key moments. While some found the vocal music occasionally distracting during dialogue, the majority appreciated how the music seamlessly blends with the gameplay, creating an immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to purchase it for personal enjoyment.
“The soundtrack does a good job in setting the mood without being so noticeable as to detract from the dialogue happening at the same time, with the super special treat of a full song with vocals playing just as the world really opens up to you -- it was so good that I listened to the whole thing before continuing on to start new scenes.”
“The music is top tier, and the vocal songs add greatly to the emotional impact at certain points in the game.”
“The story, characters, music, art, and voice acting are all astonishing and really puts you into the world of Alestia.”
“I'm sorry to say this, but during the majority of the game the background music is just straining to fill an auditory void.”
“And that feels significantly out of place, where there is little to no narrative set dressing to justify vocals, and for the most part the music is vocal-less.”
“The music is somewhat mediocre, but it's good enough to not sound boring after long sessions of gameplay.”
- emotional146 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players reporting profound connections to the characters and story that led to tears and heartfelt moments. The voice acting and music significantly enhance the emotional impact, creating an immersive experience that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the game is described as a powerful emotional journey, filled with relatable characters and complex narratives that evoke a wide range of feelings.
“Honestly great story and the end made me cry, incredibly worthwhile to play.”
“This game is one of, if not the best game I've ever played; it made me cry, it made me laugh, and makes me look like a furry.”
“It was a magical experience and it really made me cry at the end.”
- graphics108 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and charming art style, which effectively brings the characters and story to life. Many reviewers highlight the high production value, beautiful backgrounds, and engaging character designs, complemented by a fantastic soundtrack and solid voice acting. While some found the art style initially off-putting, most grew to appreciate its unique aesthetic, contributing to an immersive gaming experience.
“Winds of Change is an impressive visual novel with stunning visuals and high production value.”
“The artwork is beautiful with a fantastic soundtrack to match - I've bought and downloaded it to listen in the car or at work.”
“Amazing game, art style and music were top tier, and the talented voice actors and actresses made playing this game feel like watching a movie.”
“As an example, my two 'friends' often lapse into sad diatribes about how sad it is that our village is going to be destroyed, but to me, the village in question is simply 5 or so background scene artworks and 3 people.”
“I remember… back when Winds of Change was teased with the first screenshots, I was kind of put off by the setting and its art style, or rather, the unusually bright coloring of the characters.”
“The artwork for the backgrounds is really interesting, containing sometimes very detailed images jumbled up with a bunch of vague blurry imagery, that leaves me wondering if the artist was trying to draw attention to certain things, or if it was just all whimsical.”
- gameplay82 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this visual novel is primarily focused on narrative and character interactions, with minimal traditional gameplay elements. While it features point-and-click mechanics and some exploration, many players feel that the story and character development overshadow the gameplay itself. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging narrative and character depth, making the limited gameplay acceptable for those who prioritize story over mechanics.
“The addition of the point and click adventure mechanics makes it even more alluring as if you are indeed a part of the world you're exploring.”
“There's a lot of content which makes for a very immersive gameplay experience and the choices you make feel more impactful than in Tall Tale Studio's last game, Major/Minor.”
“Beautiful game honestly, been a long time since I haven't been in such a story and involved in it; the story is very well written, and the gameplay is just balanced between the point and click and the involvement of the player.”
“Gameplay is basically non-existent.”
“In terms of gameplay, there isn't much to say.”
“This is a common problem with visual novel type games in that they have very little in the way of gameplay.”
- character development22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and relatability, with compelling backstories and significant plot twists that enhance the overall narrative experience. While some reviewers noted flaws in character design, they appreciated the engaging world-building and the evolution of both main and side characters, which contribute to a rich storytelling experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a strong aspect, despite some minor criticisms regarding pacing and design choices.
“Im no expert on character design or writing, but these are up there alongside my most cherished from books and gaming alike.”
“That series really got me into heavily playing story-driven games: the world building, story, plot twists, main character development, side character development, main character relationships, and lastly finding love through the struggles.”
“Although I think the game moved rather quickly, it still had some really well-done world and character development.”
“However, the character design is something I find severely lacking.”
“I know that the protagonist doesn't have a character design yet.”
“The story and character development is okay; there are a bunch of minor flaws, but nothing that will really ruin the experience in any way.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a standout feature, effectively blending immersive moments with comedic elements that call out player decisions and enhance character interactions. Players appreciate the mix of funny, relatable, and sometimes heartbreaking dialogues, alongside a range of voice acting quality that adds to the comedic experience. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the emotional depth of the game, making it both joyful and engaging.
“The game has a way of calling you out when you make rather questionable decisions, which is as hilarious as it is immersive.”
“The humor of this game will truly make you feel joy.”
“The dialogues between characters can be funny, interesting, heartbreaking, and relatable.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, primarily due to its branching narrative choices that lead to different endings, with some players reporting over 40 hours of gameplay. However, opinions vary, with some suggesting that the replay value may be limited to one or two playthroughs, and a few additional achievements tied to player choices could enhance this aspect further. Overall, the engaging relationships and charming art contribute positively to the game's replayability.
“Easily 40+ hours of gameplay and replay value.”
“High replay value due to choices that strongly change the narrative.”
“I'd recommend getting it on sale though, as it only really has a replay value of once.”
“Maybe including a few more achievements that are dependent on your choices would have added a bit more to the replay value (like earning an achievement when you complete the game by picking nothing but flirty responses).”
“It would probably take about 15 hours at most to complete at a leisurely pace, but from what I can tell, it has at least one repeat replay value since the choices can really deviate to provide a different ending.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, driven by strong character development, compelling writing, and an evocative soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the story. While not every musical track stands out, the overall sound design effectively complements the narrative and setting, creating a cohesive and engaging experience. The combination of well-executed voice acting and detailed backgrounds further enriches the game's atmospheric appeal.
“Good characters, good writing, good music, just an all-round atmospheric experience.”
“This game is innovative in the way it handles itself from its simple but depth-filled story, to the atmospheric soundtrack, as well as the well-done voice acting, well-crafted and entirely human-feeling characters, and well-made backgrounds.”
“"Winds of Change" is also accompanied by a well-produced soundtrack, one that effortlessly creates an atmosphere suiting the story and world.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, the voice acting performances are praised for their quality and emotional impact, though some users report performance issues that may be system-specific, along with minor typos and grammatical errors.
“The performances on show from many of the voice actors were great, with a couple emotional moments being particular standouts that had me on the edge of my seat.”
“There are some pretty decent actors here who do the best with what they were given and all manage to give solid performances.”
“The only complaints I have are related to performance issues (that may be caused by my particular system) and a few typos/grammatical errors.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players report that grinding in the game can be quite time-consuming, with some estimating around 3-5 hours dedicated to the first act alone. Achieving all Steam achievements and farming for additional content may require significant investment, suggesting that players should be prepared for a lengthy commitment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“On that note, expect a good 3-5 hours of reading, etc. for the first act in the game. It took me about 4.3 hours to finish the entire first act with all Steam achievements unlocked. I'm officially farming for the rest of the cards at the moment, so please don't take my total game time at face value.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability with no significant glitches reported, though some users have noted minor typos and voice-over issues that do not impact the overall experience. The graphics and background music are well-received, contributing to a smooth gameplay flow.
“That being said, as of this writing there are still some typos and voice-over glitches, but that doesn't detract from the flow and story.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express that the monetization strategy, particularly through advertisements, has led to heightened expectations for the game's quality and content.
