Fast-Paced Combat That Stands Out
One of my favorite developers is Motion Twin, the development team behind the immensely successful action roguelite Dead Cells, which is probably my preferred take on the popular genre. So, following Dead Cells’ final gameplay content update, it was only natural for the developer’s next project, Windblown, to grab my attention. I received access to an early build state of this highly anticipated title. While I’m concerned about performance, the gameplay identity here has the potential to be an addictive hit.
Windblown does have a narrative and a setting it tries to moderately invest you in when you begin, but I focused on the gameplay above all else throughout this pre-release iteration. The general gameplay loop is immediately understandable if you’ve played other outings from the genre, with you progressing across various stages battling enemies, with your crucial choices determining your overall build for your current run.
Windblown is the fastest roguelite I’ve ever experienced, with dashes and reflex-driven combat.
Yet, despite this innate structural familiarity, Windblown stands out for its gameplay distinction; this is undoubtedly the fastest roguelite I’ve ever experienced. Your default movement includes a lightning-quick dash that speeds past miniature floating islands at a breakneck speed, instilling a refreshing sense of progression, even if that particular facet is illusory. However, the actual combat itself requires embracing this swiftness to its fullest.
Enemy attacks are telegraphed with a brief flash that demands quick reflexes with that same aforementioned dash. And when considering the sheer initial fragility of the player character, with only a handful of notable attacks eliminating their health, you are intrinsically a glass cannon.
Reflex-Driven Action and the Alterattack Mechanic
This general design approach can be overwhelming, but it also has the benefit of providing runs that don’t last that long, an issue in even the most accomplished roguelites/roguelikes, such as Hades. At the same time, the lack of perceptible semi-permanence with your runs, especially in the beginning when you will likely falter quite often, can make the overarching progression not particularly compelling. So, at least with first impressions, you must be more open to failure in Windblown than many other forays into the genre.
Other combat features include sub-weapons and tools equipped to the triggers, which are fairly typical implementations expected of action titles. Still, one of the most noteworthy and standout combat tools is the Alterattack, a technique that occurs when you swap your used weapon at the right moment mid-combo, instilling great damage. This seemingly simple gameplay ability is crucial to the overall flow of combat, particularly against groups of foes that you need to reduce swiftly to even the playing field.
The weapons are also significant in that each type guarantees a critical hit in some specified way. Conceptually, no encouraged playstyle is left behind, but that’s more of a result you’d know for sure after extensive playtime. Above all else, it’s clear that Windblown prioritizes offense and being as in your face toward enemies as much as possible. It’s all quite cathartic when your movements and attacks click in tandem, bolstered by the speed of it all.
However, Windblown definitely needs optimization. Of course, this is a pre-release build, but I suffered heavy frame drops for no detectable reason. The issue moderately persisted as it came and went, though it was never to the extent that my gameplay experience was majorly hindered. Still, this is obviously far from desirable, so here’s hoping improvements are made for release.
There’s plenty more to Windblown, such as its hub, narrative premise, and unlockables from your typical roguelite progression. Yet, the distinctive combat system makes this ambitious roguelite worth eyeing, demonstrating the developer’s mastery of action outings in this genre. I’m eager to experience the full release and potentially even try out multiplayer at a more opportune time.
Windblown will be released for PC via Steam Early Access on October 24, 2024. Additionally, a limited-time single-player demo featuring the first biome will be available to download for free between October 14 and October 21, 2024. Progress will be transferred to the early access release.
