Ready for a throwback platformer? Hey, who isn’t? After all, a majority of us grew up on favorites like Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario World 2 and Donkey Kong Country, didn’t we? And if not, hey, good time for rediscovery. But the team at Top Hat Studios (alongside the devs at WeatherFell) clearly remember this era. And it shows in every step of its Kickstarter success, Windswept, which is now available for consoles and PC.
In the game, you guide the heroics of a bird and a turtle, who must work together in an effort to get home. They’ve been swept away by a storm, so the journey is easier said than done. Still, you get to venture through 40 levels of goodness, discovering hidden secrets and bonus goodies along the way.
Windswept works with its solid gameplay, harkening back to the good ol’ days of quality 16-bit platformers. It feels just about right, though the challenge level definitely picks up a wee bit much later on in the game. Fortunately, there are assists and modifiers that can help you out. And, hey, if you like that sort of thing, you can unlock even more difficult modes for future run-throughs.
Did I also mention that the game looks and sounds charming? The soundtrack will stick with you for some time; and the colorful 16-bit visuals will grow on you. All of this combines together into a worthwhile $20 package that fans of the genre are sure to love.
That Darn Windswept Misplaced My Animal Friends!
A storm has erupted in the land. And as a result, Marbles and Checkers (great names) find themselves misplaced. They do know the way back, but there’s a long road ahead of them. So the two decide to work together, combining their abilities to overcome enemies, find secrets and eventually get back home.
A game like Windswept definitely reflects the “journey not the destination” route, and it shows. The developers at WeatherFell clearly understand what makes 16-bit platformers work so well. And most of that leans upon the gameplay. It just feels right, as you combine the two’s abilities together to get around in stages.
Plus there are discoveries galore. The game harbors all sorts of hidden secrets, including bonus rooms akin to Donkey Kong Country. They’re a great deal of fun, though they do follow the “one and done” sort of deal. So if you screw up, you can’t return unless you revisit the level later on. So…be good with these guys, yeah?
One big negative about Windswept is its difficulty curve. Actually, it’s more of a sharp left turn. The second act of the game becomes ridiculously hard, to the point you need pinpoint precision to stay alive. Luckily, you can activate several modifiers and assists that make the trip a little easier. Some may see it as cheating, but, honestly, they make a world of difference – especially for younger players.
For those that crave the challenge, however. There’s more where that came from. You can actually unlock two additional difficulty settings after beating the game (even with modifiers). And, yes, those are even tougher than before. Hope you’re craving a challenge, because you’ll get one.
In essence, Windswept is a great game. Could something have been done about the difficulty level? Sure. But at least the developers were wise enough to include options for those having trouble. And it’s still a ton of fun, especially when you discover unexpected secrets. And the game has puh-lenty.
Prepare To Get Windswept With a Nostalgic Presentation
On top of top-notch gameplay, Windswept also benefits from an old-school setup of visuals and sound.
The graphics look like something out of the 16-bit playbook, complete with intricate level designs and neat little animations. It really comes off well, especially playing on a bigger TV screen. But if you’re playing on a portable system (like Steam Deck), you still get a lot out of the presentation. It does have mild screen issues here and there, but nothing severe.
As for the soundtrack, it’s dazzling. The in-game music is a lot of fun to listen to, paired up nicely with the simple but effective sound effects. WeatherFell is on a tear here, and it shows. (Well, for your ears, anyway.)
Windswept Will Easily Knock Your Socks Off
If you can accept the difficulty shortcomings and other mild problems, Windswept will easily fit into your game library. It’s got some nice innovations within its gameplay, along with modifiers to ease the tough excursion. Not to mention that the presentation isn’t too shabby at all, especially when it comes to the music.
It may not be the first name you think of when it comes to quality platforming. But Windswept definitely deserves to have a spot in your collection. Nothing like adopting a couple of abandoned pets for the holidays, yeah?
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to Top Hat Studios for providing us with a review code! Windswept is available now for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Need more retro platforming goodness? Check out our review of the classic Aero the Acrobat!
