Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
LostWinds; A Wonderful Experience
Topic Started: May 14 2008, 12:00 PM (453 Views)
eomund

LostWinds is a third party developed game for the Wii, and is one of the launch titles for WiiWare.

Posted Image

The game starts with our protagonist Toku sleeping in the fields. As he wakes up you stumble along untill you find Enril, a wind spirit trapped in a stone shard. After a brief description of how it got there and the main baddy, your off to find the rest of the shards.

It may seem like I'm giving away too much, but trust me I'm not. The game starts out a bit generic, but beleive me, it doesn't stay that way.

Posted Image
Even from the screen shots you can tell this game is different.


One of the most important aspects of this game is it's game play. I've been complaining that publishers haven't been making use of the remote technology, and I'm excited to say this game makes great use of it.

The game plays similar to a classic side scrolling platformer but allows some manipulation with the background. In this instance (and this instance alone) it's similar to Viewtiful Joe.

With the remote you control Enril and you use enril's powers to manipulate objects and Toku himself. It takes a couple of minutes to get used to, but real fun to play around with while you do. As you progress, as I'm sure you can guess, Enril becomes stronger and learns new abilities. Each of these new abilities add a large chunk to the puzzle solving portions of the game.

Posted Image
Manipulating elements such as water and fire are important to solving puzzles.


The sound of the game adds a very pleasing aspect to it. Many of the ambient sounds along with the traditional Japanese style music add a great feel to the game.

True to Nintendo style, instead of speach there's a series of grunts and yells along with a lot of text. Honestly, where it bothers me elsewhere, it really doesn't here. There's not enough involved in talking to people for it to have helped if it were there.

Posted Image
The ambience really helps give the game a great feel.


The graphics in the game, albeit not steller, gives the game character. It gives the game more of a sence of 'fun' then a mad rush to save the world like in so many other titles.

And the environments are very alive as well. Every single bush russles, every NPC reacts as the wind blows by and many stationary objects can be manipulated by the wind. This interaction gives you more to explore and play with as you journey through your quest.

Posted Image
Even though it's not one of the most detailed games in history, it's still very athstetically pleasing.


I'm really having a hard time finding anything to complain about with this game. At a price of $10 this game is more fun and has more lasting appeal than most $50 games. And finally someone was thinking outside the box with gameplay and created something wonderful. The game is a bit short, but that's not a bad thing. It doesn't over stay its welcome.


Scoring:
Gameplay: A+ - A rare score, but well deserved.
Sound: A/A- - Good music and great sounds really enhance the game play.
Graphics: A- - Not overly detailed, but very fluid with amazing character.
Story: A - Simple, but effective. It adds a certain attachment towards the game.
Replay Value: A- - Games like this rarely come along. Something that's fun to play, just to play.

Overall Score: A - A well deserved A at that.


Closing comments:
I hate being this flowery with my reviews but it's not every day that a game this special comes out. A game with not only some unique gameplay and amusing puzzles, but also has real character. And for the price of a measly $10, it's more than worth the price. It's rare for me to find a game I enjoy this much. I definately recommend this game to everyone.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dan
Member Avatar

Great review. I'm going to get a points card soon, and buy this game :)
My new signature will be up when the new forum is up.
Same with my avatar.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
pollywolly94

Good review. I've heard good things about it, from ign, from eomund, from my friend, and when i get Wiiware (and wifi) i'll be sure to get it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RunawayRed
Member Avatar
Graphics Specialist
Great review. I heard some goods things about this game. Eomund maybe, if you have the Wii Points and want to buy it, you could do a review on Defend your Castle. I heard good things about that too.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
eomund

^ I thought about picking up that game, but it looks like a port of the original flash game. If I get bored I might get it, if I do, you can count on a review ;)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Adam

Why don't you just play defend your castle on the computer? is it better on wii are there bonus features?
Posted Image

Itachi the strongest of the uchiha Clan, fear him and his ultimate power!!...Mind Crush!

My number one catchphrase: Banzai!!

Dr. Octagonapus...Bleh heh heh heh heh bleck... blaaaaa!!

Like a windstorm at a kindergarten picnic...It is I...The pleaser of crowds...The Master of Dimensions...I am Adam!!
Screw the rules...I have money!
Adam has spoken!! Deal with it!!
Shoop da whoop!
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
eomund

Adam
May 14 2008, 02:14 PM
Why don't you just play defend your castle on the computer? is it better on wii are there bonus features?

That's why I didn't buy it. I don't think there'll be any differences, or at least any important differences between the 2. It's only $5 though so like I said, maybe when i get bored.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HUNTER JAWA
Member Avatar

hmmm if its only 10 bucks i might get it, too lazy to go get the points tho...
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
RunawayRed
Member Avatar
Graphics Specialist
eomund
May 14 2008, 03:49 PM
^ I thought about picking up that game, but it looks like a port of the original flash game. If I get bored I might get it, if I do, you can count on a review ;)

Awesome. I'll be looking forward to that review. Because I've been pondering on whether to get it or not.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
eomund

Quote:
 
The Wii version of Defend Your Castle boasts a new graphic style that was described by N-Europe as having "more style, colour and life to them, as if they were drawn by a three year-old hyped up on sugar with unlimited supplies of Crayola." The new style prominently features elements taking the form of household objects, such as bottle caps, bread ties and wooden ice cream sticks for sprites, with backgrounds made out of construction paper with clouds of tissue paper.[2]

Because of rating reasons, the Wii version does not contain the use of blood; the stickmen just collapse instead of splatter, although their heads remain on screen before fading, something which did not happen in the original version.


Sorry, not buying it. About the only reason to actually get the game is to obliterate stick people and they killed that so no. Someone else 'll have to do it.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Game Reviews · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Page views since 09/22/04 ^_^

counter Firefox Bookmark and Share

..:: Affiliates ::..