In fact, I noticed frame spikes instead of drops. In my experience, the moment to moment performance is quite stable, with few frame drops. However, having played it, I find a more apt comparison to be Sea of Thieves. I’ve seen some compare its visuals to Breath of the Wild, and that is indeed a fair comparison. In terms of visual fidelity, Windbound is absolutely gorgeous. I appreciated how its summer vibes are off the charts – it would be a perfect pick to play while unwinding after a day at the pool or beach. The procedurally generated world feels alive and organic, with creatures roaming the islands and storms moving through dynamically. Taking to the waves gives players a moment to digest the story, plan their next moves, and wind down from the challenge of survival on land. Sailing in particular can be downright soothing at times. In a game about survival and philosophical introspection, it’s surprisingly calming. This peaceful imagery is accompanied by equally calming music that sets an atmosphere somewhere between The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy. When booting up Windbound, players are greeted by a shot of the sea with an island in the distance. Suffice to say, if you enjoy games that reward player exploration with lore, Windbound may be right up your alley. I could go into more detail on story specifics, but its greatest strength is in its organic discovery. I found myself going well out of my way on numerous occasions simply to learn more of these deserted islands and the fate that befell their inhabitants. The story itself, while not groundbreaking, kept me on the hook for the entirety of my playthrough. Major beats are told through ornate hieroglyphs, but the majority of the narrative is gathered through exploration alone. The narrative from this point forward is told mostly through environmental storytelling, broken poems, and written memories of long-dead voyagers who used to call the mysterious islands home. She awakes on a peaceful beach on a small island, and thus the player’s journey with her begins. Before Kara can react, the beast sends a tentacle crashing down onto her boat, plunging her into the abyss. Her fellow Voyagers aren’t faring much better, and just when things seem like they couldn’t get any worse, a sea monster rises from the depths to annihilate the small ships. Windbound’s story begins in a moment of chaos as a young Voyager named Kara desperately tries to keep her boat from being sunk by a raging tempest. This urge to explore and understand was strong enough to carry me through multiple glitches and crashes to see this voyage through to its conclusion. I wanted to know more, I wanted to see more, and I wanted to master its world. Windbound, however, grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go until I finished it. There are few games nowadays that can get me to sit and play for hours on end. When the opportunity came to review it, I didn’t hesitate. I was immediately drawn in by what looked to be a mashup of Breath of the Wild, Don’t Starve and Moana! I followed the game loosely from announcement until launch, and wishlisted it as soon as I saw it on the eShop. Being a lover of all things tropical, Windbound caught my eye early on.
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