Lost Winds (WiiWare) Review
Posted by Jacob Lopez on 06.14.2008
Vitals
Genre
Action Adventure
System
Nintendo Wii
Release Date
Q0 0000
Lost Winds is a simple action-platformer that just recently launched with WiiWare. The game is developed by Frontier Developments, the team behind Thrillville and RollerCoaster Tycoon. 411 is here to give you a little look at what is in store for gamers looking into what is possibly the most highly-anticipated WiiWare launch title out there.
Anyone who hasn’t heard at least something about Lost Winds by now, either doesn’t have a Wii or just isn’t too into the whole gaming thing. Assuming you are reading this review, my guess is that you are at least somewhat interested in this WiiWare Launch Title. What can we expect for ten bucks on the Wii? Well, a hell of a lot more than you might expect.
You play as Toku, a young boy from a small village, who is introduced in the game’s title screen. The game begins as Enril, the wind spirit, awakens Toku from a nap, with a gentle breeze. The game plays just like many of the classic platformers of our time, but the Wii Remote adds a new dimension to a genre we have all played time and time again. Nothing is overly difficult to control, even right from the get go. As you progress through Lost Winds, the game explains new moves and abilities quickly in the form of text boxes. No annoying tutorial levels here. Sometimes, limited space has its advantages.
Your ability to control the wind with the Wii Remote is essential in getting you around the game, defeating enemies and solving many of the puzzles you will encounter. Toku controls with the ‘chuck while the pointer directs the wind. The player will press a specific button and draw in a certain direction to perform numerous abilities, at the time of this writing, I have two. The wind will many times help you reach high ledges or glide across broken bridges. You must also use the breeze to insure safe landings when needed or use a strong gust to push flames in a direction needed to burn an obstacle.
The wind also works as a weapon. You can use it to toss around enemies or slam them into cave walls in a satisfying little splat (don’t worry parents, they are just little blobs with eyes). It is also pretty fun to see what happens to the townsfolk when you hit them with a strong burst of wind, they respond differently to wind from each direction, nice touch. While on the subject of nice touches, I was playing the game earlier this morning and had to set the controller down for a minute or two. Upon my return, Toku, our young hero, had decided to take a little nap. Cute…I gave him a quick burst of wind and he woke up.
The game is a 2.5D sidescroller. I describe it as 2.5D because, you have fully-rendered 3D graphics, but the game plays like a classic sidescrolling title. The game also plays somewhat like a Zelda or new-school Castlevania in the sense that it is non-linear. You must explore and talk to characters for help. Solving small puzzles gets you through the game, and new abilities you collect will gradually allow you to advance further and further into the game.
Oh, and the game looks great. I hate to say it, but this game looks better than some of the full retail games we are getting (I’m looking at you Iron Man Wii, and all you other PS2 ports.). Really, Lost Winds is beautiful. The environments are great, especially some of the underground areas. The music is relaxing, and the action is fun, but hasn’t gotten intense or frustrating in any way.
The game was relatively easy. Either way, the game is fun, and puts more awesome in its 10 bucks and less than 40 Megs than some games can for $50 on 4 gigs.
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2nd Opinion
Ramon Aranda
You know this game really is a benchmark for future WiiWare titles. Not only is the the game a pretty decent length but it looks great. I have no problem stating that Lost Winds looks better than more than a handful of Wii titles on the market right now which means that Frontier put a ton of time and effort into making this game and it shows. The music is appealing and relaxing which works very well with the concept of controlling the wind. Though I would have liked for it to have a bit higher difficulty, the game is still very enjoyable and makes good use of the Wii remote such that nothing feels forced. A solid first entry for them in the WiiWare market.
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Graphics
8.8
This is a WiiWare title, so I am trying to be fair. Since I don't have a whole lot to compare it to as far as WiiWare goes, I will just say that the game looks nice. As said before, the game looks better than some actual Wii games out there right now.
Gameplay
8.5
The game is great at what it does. Simple platform action that makes better use of the Wii Remote than most full-on Wii Releases.
Sound
8.0
The music is pretty 'lax. It is very well orchestrated, but don't expect much variety.
Lasting Appeal
8.0
The game is fun and a pretty good sized game. Lengthy enough to be appropriate for a solid WiiWare title.
Fun Factor
9.0
The game is pretty awesome so far. I won't lie though, the first 30 minutes were a bit slow, but after that I really got sucked in. Check it out.
