1. LostWinds is a platformer where there is no jump button and a platformer that you cannot play with a standard controller. Somehow, it is actually good.
2. Also somewhat surprisingly, it is made by the same people who made Elite: Dangerous. Odder still is the fact that they bothered porting this old Wii game to the PC nearly a decade after the fact. It is not like this was some landmark title that people were clamoring for. It was either very easy to do or a small passion project or something. I can't imagine folks are getting rich off this title so it's just kinda cool to seem them give this little game a longer lease on life.
3. Subbing in the mouse and keyboard for a Wii Remote actually works really well. This felt like a natural fit on PC.
4. The folks at Frontier actually argue they are an indie game company in spirit but that is going to be a bit of stretch for most people due to their number of employees being in the triple digits. Nevertheless, LostWinds feels very much like an indie game. It's rather short, w/ graphics that are stylish rather than technologically impressive and game-play is focused on a few more experimental mechanics.
5. LostWinds setup is, pretty much, it's a videogame. You are on an exotic-type island being taken over by a dark evil. You've got to save everyone. Along the way, you enlist some wind spirits to help out. It's all good.
6. The wind spirits are the excuse for the game's chief mechanic, which is that instead of jumping, you blow yourself around w/ the wind. For something that is more-or-less a gimmick, it proves to be a remarkably robust gameplay element. It is not accurate enough replace the good, old, press-button-to-jump mechanics platformers usually use but it adds a neat wrinkle.
7. As you push through, your ability to control wind increases and you are able to blow larger objects and enemies farther and farther. This allows for some light puzzle solving elements such as placing rocks on switches or blowing a flame from a torch to burn down a wooden door. It's not exactly braniac stuff but it keeps the mind engaged. The puzzles aren't so much hard as they are satisfying in their cleverness.
8. This is a nice looking game, technically, esp. for something that was originally WiiWare but it is really more about style. The sense you get is one of a fairy tale. The world is cute and vibrant. There are enemies but they feel more like obstacles than something that is actually dangerous to you. In a short game, LostWinds does an incredible job of evoking the wonder of exploration.
9. W/ its cherry blossoms and rolling country scenery, it has a Japanese feel to it which is complimented by its soundtrack. Soft flutes and koto intermingle for a light, airy mood that suits a game about wind spirits quite well.
10. Progression through the game happens in limited a Metroidvania-style. As you gain new wind abilities, it allows you to get to new areas. I say limited because there is very little backtracking involved and outside of the central area of the map that connects everything, you only need to go to each area once.
11. Savepoints are pretty generous and death is fairly rare but there was one particular section towards the end I failed a couple times that set me back by a really irritating amount. Enough so I am wasting a whole point to tell you this.
12. LostWinds is definitely a one and done type game. After playing through, there are a few collectables to explore and find but, really, if you come back, it will be more for the same reason you rewatch your favorite movies rather than the expectation of finding new gameplay. It's going to be about the same experience each time.
13. I don't use this term often but this is something of a hidden gem. I got it in a bundle or I never would have heard of it yet it is not only a solid game but one that feels pretty unique and special. It requires neither a large monetary nor time commitment and provides a tight gameplay experience w/ experimental controls that work and aren't annoying. Yes, I am thinking LostWinds is definitely a game you all should play.
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