Windlands

If you have a good VR stomach, this is one of the most interesting experiences on PlayStation VR. Between zen gaming and challenging parcours, this is an intense platformer that will make you feel like a hybrid of Peter Parker and Faith of Mirror’s Edge fame.

Windlands' swinging and soaring facilitates a manic relationship between serenity and stress. It's either a holiday bounding across lush vistas or a white-knuckled, vertigo-inducing parkour utopia. Windlands isn't terribly inventive, however, its considerable accessibility options and presence inside virtual reality's honeymoon do well to suppress effective objections.

Quotation forthcoming.

We felt like Spider-Man, swooping throughout a unique world at our leisure. If you're prone to motion sickness, however, this will not be your favourite Christmas gift.

Windlands breaks a lot of rules in regards to early days VR movement but it holds up well and lends its way to a fun and engaging experience. This will make for a good test of your stomach if you want to try a more physical game for your new headset.

Terror, exhilaration and nausea. It's a testament to the power of VR that such a simple, straight-forward game as Windlands has the ability to makes its players feel so much. The biggest problem of course is trying to work out just what it's going to make you feel. Fortunately, if you can master your stomach – with help from the numerous VR comfort options – and throw yourself in head first, you just might find a frequently thrilling experience that despite its frustrations is worth falling for.

There isn’t a lot of content but there is replayability value should you wish to beat run times. The story isn’t too important, outdone by the game’s visual design and music. Windlands captures the essence of soaring through the air, but sadly it simply won’t be for everyone.

The best compliment I can give Windlands is that, for other developers, there is a lot that can be gleaned from this experience soaring through the skies, and the game is worth checking out for that reason alone.

This wonderful looking Spider-Man simulator in the sky doesn't live up to its full potential.

If you’re looking for a high-intensity VR experience, or something with a little variety and excitement, Windlands may not be for you. Otherwise, if you want something a little different to put your new headset to good use, then this might be just the ticket.

If you’re looking for a vibrant world to explore in virtual reality then Windlands is certainly worth trying. However, if you are looking to feel like Spider-Man seamlessly swinging around a new landscape, keep in mind that poor traversal mechanics and awkward movement will make that feel less authentic that you might have hoped.

An interesting test of your VR mettle, but also a reminder that once the novelty wears off VR titles need compelling gameplay as much as any other game.

For all that grappling, it has too few hooks. [Jan 2017, p.128]