Windbound (2020)

 PC
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 30
  3. Negative: 12 out of 30

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  1. geralto
    Jan 20, 2021
    9
    This game is not for everyone, but that does not mean it's a bad game. I really enjoyed it and it felt like a journey. I loved the scenery, which is truly peaceful and beautiful, the sailing mechanics are very interesting and the sailing is my favorite thing to do in the game, and building your own boat is also exciting. Although I have played around 200 games, this was my first survivalThis game is not for everyone, but that does not mean it's a bad game. I really enjoyed it and it felt like a journey. I loved the scenery, which is truly peaceful and beautiful, the sailing mechanics are very interesting and the sailing is my favorite thing to do in the game, and building your own boat is also exciting. Although I have played around 200 games, this was my first survival game, and I didn't like the survival mechanics at first, because I was bad at it, but I have learned to like it as I got better at it. What also helped me appreciate the game more is that Moana is my favorite movie and it reminds of that a bit, and the fact that I have played it in the summer which has also helped with the immersion. It felt like a relaxing trip on a warm summer day. I haven't encountered any bugs btw, and I truly appreciate the work that was put into this game.… Expand
  2. Tredaus
    Oct 4, 2020
    7
    The visuals and graphics are aesthetic. It brings a Zelda-like nostalgia. The game environment is also relaxing and beautiful. I had no problem when it comes to combat and survival. However, a few things this games needs for improvement. One, the repetitive quest in all the five chapters is a bit tiresome and boring. If there were only different tasks and quests in each chapter, then itThe visuals and graphics are aesthetic. It brings a Zelda-like nostalgia. The game environment is also relaxing and beautiful. I had no problem when it comes to combat and survival. However, a few things this games needs for improvement. One, the repetitive quest in all the five chapters is a bit tiresome and boring. If there were only different tasks and quests in each chapter, then it would have being enjoyable. Two, the difficulty levels. As much as there is story difficulty that is supposedly the easy difficulty, more difficulty levels should be included. For example, many hardcore players would want the survival difficulty, but dying and starting right from the beginning after almost 8 hours of playing till like chapter 4 is very irritating. At the same time losing all your progress will make you feel like you wasted all your time. And even on easy difficulty, as much as you die but keep your inventory, you loose your boat, and every upgrade and structure you build on the boat goes. I feel that should not be the case. An additional easy difficulty should be included, like one that doesn't have the starvation option. Third, the save mechanism. This game should include an autosave option instead of an only-manual save option. One can easily forget to save their progress. Fourth, the bugs and glitches. Bugs, crashes and glitches can be a gamer's overall nightmare, and Windbound is the center of all of it. At one point the game can crash, and, like I explained, without saving, you loose all your progress. Even though you saved, the game crash can wipe out all your saved progress. Lastly is the game combat, I liked the game combat to be honest, but at one point it becomes slow. If they added something like skills and combo mechanism, it would make the combat a bit quicker and easier. Overall, this game is promising and enjoyable, but requires more room for improvement.… Expand
  3. ClikeX
    Jul 6, 2021
    4
    The premise of this game is intriguing. It offers Wind Waker nostalgia in a sandbox(y) setting. And on paper, I should love this game. Yet, it's interesting mechanics clash so drastically that it ultimately strips them of their enjoyment. This is a game where luck matters more than skill, most of the time.

    Windbound starts you of in an ocean with a few procedurally generated islands.    The premise of this game is intriguing. It offers Wind Waker nostalgia in a sandbox(y) setting. And on paper, I should love this game. Yet, it's interesting mechanics clash so drastically that it ultimately strips them of their enjoyment. This is a game where luck matters more than skill, most of the time.

    Windbound starts you of in an ocean with a few procedurally generated islands. The goal is to activate 3 towers and then go to a large shrine to go to the next chapter. Each chapter increases the ocean's size and available islands. Meanwhile, the player needs to maintain a boat, craft equipment, and feed a hunger meter.

    While the survival aspect does add a certain flair to the isolation of the story. The game regularly fails to generate appropriate resources for the player to use. At times, I've found resources I'd have no use for yet early in the game, while giving me nothing that I could use. Forcing me to leave it behind since I wasn't able to craft any storage yet.

    The most annoying thing is when it fails to generate enough food to satiate the ridiculous hunger meter. Which depletes at such a high rate that it forces you to rush from island to island. Which in effect kills the seemingly calm aesthetic that the game is trying to push.

    This clash in mechanics could've been forgiven somewhat if the controls were smooth enough. Unfortunately, these are just as unpolished.

    Combat feels sluggish, and unimpressive. Combat tactics usually boil down to standing on a boulder and throwing rocks at an enemy, as they are unable to reach you here. I know there's better weapons and skills later on. But the starting combat is so unsatisfying that you'll be likely to turn off the game before getting to that point.

    Meanwhile, the required towers feels like they were just an afterthought. Jumping to a ledge doesn't trigger the climb animation a lot of times. For such an integral piece of the game, this should've been polished a lot more. It's not even that the towers are a challenge to climb, but the annoying ledge mechanic makes them a tedious chore.

    In the end, Windbound feels like a great concept. The procedural generation needs to be balanced to have a better spread of resources, so the game doesn't feel like it's punishing players for bad luck.

    As it stands, this game feels like an Early Access indie title, and not a final release.    … Expand
  4. crestnest
    Feb 7, 2022
    9
    I create account on Metacritics solely to post this comment.
    I think the game is great. Some people didn`t like it - and I get it (it is not for everyone). But I found it beautiful. I like how sailing works. I like crafting. I like the style of visuals. And simplistic story was actually nice.
    Most of all I really REALLY like sailing (especially with strong wind). You almost feel the    I create account on Metacritics solely to post this comment.
    I think the game is great. Some people didn`t like it - and I get it (it is not for everyone). But I found it beautiful. I like how sailing works. I like crafting. I like the style of visuals. And simplistic story was actually nice.
    Most of all I really REALLY like sailing (especially with strong wind). You almost feel the speed and wind in your hair. The game started shining for me from the point when i create my first mast...
    I`m very sad that the game gets so many negative reviews. It is sad to see. I hope at least people get enough money from creating this game. I personallu would like to see if not Windbound 2, then at least some game of same quality and style.    … Expand
  5. Chnmmr
    Feb 21, 2022
    5
    I tried to like this game. Slow paced, maybe a bit too much. Died to a goretusk very early and had to restart. Finally got to cook meat from a boar and when I saw how long it took to cook a single piece of meat I realised the game does not respect your time.

    I sat at my PC, dumfounded, watching the little picture of meat cooking... far too slowly filling up. I got so bored waiting I    I tried to like this game. Slow paced, maybe a bit too much. Died to a goretusk very early and had to restart. Finally got to cook meat from a boar and when I saw how long it took to cook a single piece of meat I realised the game does not respect your time.

    I sat at my PC, dumfounded, watching the little picture of meat cooking... far too slowly filling up. I got so bored waiting I gave up and uninstalled. It's a shame, the premise seemed alright, but games shouldn't waste your time on trivial things like this.    … Expand
  6. psolord
    Feb 14, 2021
    9
    A fantastic little game, that is plagued by its initial release if I am not mistaken? I've read many complaints, but it was smooth sailing for me (pun intended). No hassle in the survival department, the sailing is manageable, extremely fun and interesting.

    In the vast sea of constant repeat, this game is a breeze of fresh air (second pun also intended). It can get frustrating at the    A fantastic little game, that is plagued by its initial release if I am not mistaken? I've read many complaints, but it was smooth sailing for me (pun intended). No hassle in the survival department, the sailing is manageable, extremely fun and interesting.

    In the vast sea of constant repeat, this game is a breeze of fresh air (second pun also intended).

    It can get frustrating at the beginning with the extremely limited inventory. A tutorial showing the basics should save players some trouble. Also the fights are really not well thought. The only problem of the game. But once you get the bow, it's a whole lot of fun.

    I'd like to see a part II of this game, with RPG elements, more weapons, more enemies, bigger worlds.    … Expand
  7. Antibomb
    Sep 1, 2020
    2
    There are some things that this game does right, like the feeling of heading out on uncharted waters. But when everything around those few good moments is full of clunky movement, bad design choices and bugs, then it's really hard to forgive this game.

    The worst design choice is the difficulty setting this game wants to be played on. Having potentially hours of progress erased everytime    There are some things that this game does right, like the feeling of heading out on uncharted waters. But when everything around those few good moments is full of clunky movement, bad design choices and bugs, then it's really hard to forgive this game.

    The worst design choice is the difficulty setting this game wants to be played on. Having potentially hours of progress erased everytime you die is a really stupid decision in a game where there is so much trial and error. Also, when the overall gameplay is both tedious and unintuitive you get bored really fast if forced to repeat everything over and over again because of something stupid the game did.    … Expand
  8. bladex
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    i can honestly say it is one of the worst survival games i have ever played if you think it's like windwaker well get ready to be disappointed it's NOTHING like it! the controls are terrible (was using SN30 Pro plus controller). you always run out of food, combat is slow and sluggish and the crafting menu is clunky and bad.

    the game should be $1.99 that's all it's worth. just terrible!    i can honestly say it is one of the worst survival games i have ever played if you think it's like windwaker well get ready to be disappointed it's NOTHING like it! the controls are terrible (was using SN30 Pro plus controller). you always run out of food, combat is slow and sluggish and the crafting menu is clunky and bad.

    the game should be $1.99 that's all it's worth. just terrible! yet another indy dev who don't have a clue what they are doing!    … Expand
  9. MCmetacritic
    Nov 18, 2020
    0
    Although no part of this game is in any way fun or successful, it's an interesting thought experiment. What if Deep Silver developed 30% of a game and stopped there? Would the result be worth $30 dollars? Unfortunately, no. $3 would be a pretty steep price for this deeply unfinished shadow of a game.
  10. Sirsha
    Oct 15, 2020
    0
    I don't know that everyone hates the game, I really liked the game......!!!
  11. Zogger
    Feb 21, 2022
    8
    A delightful Wind Waker-esque survival crafting roguelite. There's a bit of jank with the combat and character movement, and the early areas feel a little rough, especially with inventory management issues, but sailing is satisfying and the game opens up quite nicely after the first few areas.
  12. Nk3
    Feb 16, 2022
    9
    Я только на 2 главе, и о сюжете я не могу ничего сказать. Но, гейплей мне нравится, такой спокойный, иногда напряжный когда охотишся на крупных животных, или когда становится мало места в инвентаре. На клавиатуре играется хорошо. Но бывают некоторые баги, но, они не особо большие. В целом, игра хорошаяЯ только на 2 главе, и о сюжете я не могу ничего сказать. Но, гейплей мне нравится, такой спокойный, иногда напряжный когда охотишся на крупных животных, или когда становится мало места в инвентаре. На клавиатуре играется хорошо. Но бывают некоторые баги, но, они не особо большие. В целом, игра хорошая
  13. mikeypox
    Feb 19, 2022
    8
    This game is way under-rated. Most of the criticisms seem valid on the face of it. Thin story, clunky combat. I think the bugs have mostly been resolved by now. Playing around on the water, and having the map regenerate every time you restart a level removes the tedium of having to replay a level when you die. I got this game for free on the Epic offer, but in hindsight I would have gladlyThis game is way under-rated. Most of the criticisms seem valid on the face of it. Thin story, clunky combat. I think the bugs have mostly been resolved by now. Playing around on the water, and having the map regenerate every time you restart a level removes the tedium of having to replay a level when you die. I got this game for free on the Epic offer, but in hindsight I would have gladly payed for it.… Expand
  14. Synaxtra
    Apr 4, 2023
    2
    The story has potential but the boat controls like a sinking brick and the gameplay gets extremely repetitive.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Malditos Nerds
    Sep 9, 2020
    80
    Windbound is a survival game that takes inspiration in both Breath of the Wild and Wind Waker, two iconic games in the Zelda franchise. The work done by 5 Lives Studios results in a rather nice game experience—especially the sea sailing—that, sadly, feels constantly restricted by its own limitations.
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  2. Wccftech
    Sep 5, 2020
    45
    Windbound wants to offer a deep story backed up by rewarding exploration, crafting and survival in a beautiful open world. However, it only really lands the beautiful open world part of this, with it getting close to the line with the rewarding exploration and crafting aspects. The problem is that for all it wants to offer, Windbound is just too shallow and repetitive and offers no real replay value.
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  3. PC Invasion
    Sep 2, 2020
    65
    Windbound has lovely visuals and some solid ideas. But it's held back by how old the game's loop gets. Plus, the sailing is so slow and janky that it really . . . takes the wind out of the game's sails. Okay, I'm sorry about that one.
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