Windbound

 Switch
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29

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  1. Thebowtiebandir
    Aug 30, 2020
    7
    A fairly short game with beautiful art but severe bugs and crashes which limit what otherwise could have been a fun if short lived experience. One of the best parts of any survival game is always base building, but windbound’s single campaign direction with limited resources really limits the staying power of the game as you need to keep moving before all the resources are gone. Sailing inA fairly short game with beautiful art but severe bugs and crashes which limit what otherwise could have been a fun if short lived experience. One of the best parts of any survival game is always base building, but windbound’s single campaign direction with limited resources really limits the staying power of the game as you need to keep moving before all the resources are gone. Sailing in this game is both intuitive and rarely punishing, but does take a little thought. Only when you randomly come to a fall stop does it take away from the fun. Procedurally generated islands are varied and interesting and if there was more crafting paths, it could have made for a fun puzzle with ships showing the journey, but instead there are only a few hull choices that are limited by which of the resources you have unlocked by progressing through the chapters.… Expand
  2. Foxstrunk
    Sep 7, 2020
    7
    the game is genuinely fun and I enjoy it. But it has some problems in the switch version that I hope will eventually be patched out. Everytime I die it feels like its random in how much progress I lose. Sometimes I keep the items in my hand and return to the start of the current chapter, other times I go back to chapter one with my held items, and others still I start completely over withthe game is genuinely fun and I enjoy it. But it has some problems in the switch version that I hope will eventually be patched out. Everytime I die it feels like its random in how much progress I lose. Sometimes I keep the items in my hand and return to the start of the current chapter, other times I go back to chapter one with my held items, and others still I start completely over with only my seashards and their abilities. I'm not sure which is the desired function of the game. Also sailing appears to work worse in the switch version of the game. I've seen people on pc sail quite quickly, but for me even going into the wind is painfully slow, no matter how I loosen or tighten my sail. That being said, I'm having an enjoyable time despite these setbacks.… Expand
  3. Rabbinator
    Sep 14, 2020
    3
    On Nintendo Switch

    I was really enjoying Windbound. The art and animation is great, and the gameplay itself has a steep learning curve that's rewarding enough for you to want to keep soldiering on. While the game is simple it's also complex in the different island environments, the animals, and the crafting. I'd give this game an 8/10 EXCEPT The game is almost too buggy to play. I have    On Nintendo Switch

    I was really enjoying Windbound. The art and animation is great, and the gameplay itself has a steep learning curve that's rewarding enough for you to want to keep soldiering on. While the game is simple it's also complex in the different island environments, the animals, and the crafting. I'd give this game an 8/10 EXCEPT

    The game is almost too buggy to play. I have put hours into this game even despite random crashes, but on the last chapter of the story I saved and came back to...starting again at Chapter One. I still had a couple of my items. But everything else is gone. This game has been more trouble than it's worth despite how much I want to keep playing it. If I can't recover my data I probably won't play again.    … Expand
  4. der2
    Aug 17, 2022
    0
    This is such a horribly bad game. I got it at the cheapest price ever as it was on sale for only $5 on Switch. Even still, I was totally ripped off! The good reviews on here are fake. Look at the Review dates!!! All were within just a few days of each other. The A-hole developers made fake accounts to boost their ratings. Don't listen to the YT shills who pretend the game is good. It'sThis is such a horribly bad game. I got it at the cheapest price ever as it was on sale for only $5 on Switch. Even still, I was totally ripped off! The good reviews on here are fake. Look at the Review dates!!! All were within just a few days of each other. The A-hole developers made fake accounts to boost their ratings. Don't listen to the YT shills who pretend the game is good. It's NOT! The islands are bland and lifeless. They simply have a few autospawning animals that collide with landscapes and exhibit very glitchy unrealistic movements. The world has ZERO atmosphere or ambience. The game constantly harasses you with the same stupid tutorial windows over and over and over and over and over... And the controls are frustratingly painful. The menu is unintuitive. The battles are horrendous. The camera angle screws you up constantly. And the jumping and attacking is very sloppy. The platforming is SO, SO bad. Lots of collisions and getting stuck behind things. I was able to walk up a palm tree. I just walked right up the trunk! Then I fell and took damage!!! They should have licensed a real gaming engine. But it feels like PlayStation 1 days when they had to build it all from scratch. You'll buy this, deciding to ignore my review. And then you'll kick yourself and ask: "WHY DIDN'T I LISTEN TO THAT GUY!?"… Expand
  5. SwitchLover69
    Aug 22, 2022
    2
    I never bought this game in it's original release form. Supposedly lots of glitches and crashes were patched. Despite that, I saw some good user reviews on this site & decided to take a chance since it was on sale. It was such a massive disappointment. Every time you die you have to sail all to way from the beginning back to the island you were on, just to pick back up. And expect to die aI never bought this game in it's original release form. Supposedly lots of glitches and crashes were patched. Despite that, I saw some good user reviews on this site & decided to take a chance since it was on sale. It was such a massive disappointment. Every time you die you have to sail all to way from the beginning back to the island you were on, just to pick back up. And expect to die a lot. Not because your skill level is low. Not because the game is hard. You'll die because the controls suck and the combat is horribly executed. You can't see what's going on and your character doesn't launch attacks properly. It's not fun or exciting. It's tedious and bitterly frustrating!… Expand
  6. pieguard
    Aug 29, 2020
    9
    Honestly, I've only known about this game for a week, and I was a bit thrown off by critic reviews as it sounded like such an awesome concept. After getting through the story, I have to say that I am having an awesome time. It is immensely fun sailing around, scavenging for boat and gear upgrades etc. I am fine with the minimalist story, as I kind of like the freedom it allows. I HOP thatHonestly, I've only known about this game for a week, and I was a bit thrown off by critic reviews as it sounded like such an awesome concept. After getting through the story, I have to say that I am having an awesome time. It is immensely fun sailing around, scavenging for boat and gear upgrades etc. I am fine with the minimalist story, as I kind of like the freedom it allows. I HOP that the developers add some new game modes. I feel like this game could have so much potential if there was just a free mode where you could just roam the procedurally generated ocean discovering new lands.… Expand
  7. Abroadus123
    Aug 30, 2020
    8
    Game has potential. With the day one patch, no crashing and great relaxing music. Some of the survival elements might scare away some players but very challenging but in a fair way. Looking forward to a sequel with a better budget to get more into the lore of this world.
  8. Shantum
    Sep 1, 2020
    8
    This game is kept me engaged from the moment I started it to the moment I finished it. Mind you I wasn't expected a Zelda game for less 20 something bucks.... It seems a lot of reviewers are punishing the for their own false expectations. This game game is not just a survival or adventure game.but rather a bit of both. Its exactly what I was looking for without me realizing it. TheThis game is kept me engaged from the moment I started it to the moment I finished it. Mind you I wasn't expected a Zelda game for less 20 something bucks.... It seems a lot of reviewers are punishing the for their own false expectations. This game game is not just a survival or adventure game.but rather a bit of both. Its exactly what I was looking for without me realizing it. The roguelike mode isn't recommended if you are short on time like I am. The story mode gives you enough challenge without making y I u start from nothing if you die. This game has a great sense of progression and exploration and makes you want to keep aging to learn more recipes and explore new places. Its a busge indie game so its not perfect of course but it absolutely scratched an itch I didnt know I had and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone with an open mind... also, no it is not Zelda. Stop it.… Expand
  9. StrawVulcan
    Sep 1, 2020
    8
    Initially painfully frustrating, I now love existing in this world. The main difference between my first impression and now was realizing I needed to maintain a hectic pace to survive, and that I’d get my relaxing breaks from the sailing. You do indeed need to learn to sail, and then it’s a delight. That said, the game seems unfinished in several ways: crashes, bugs, control quirks, sparseInitially painfully frustrating, I now love existing in this world. The main difference between my first impression and now was realizing I needed to maintain a hectic pace to survive, and that I’d get my relaxing breaks from the sailing. You do indeed need to learn to sail, and then it’s a delight. That said, the game seems unfinished in several ways: crashes, bugs, control quirks, sparse mechanics intros, and a very short story. I’m here rating the game I expect it *will* be later this week when they release a bug fix patch, and I very much hope they fill out the game and polish it into a 10/10.… Expand
  10. Low_Ink
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    I've spent 13 hours in this game and i loved every second of it. I'm probably going MUCH slower than other people but at least I'm in chapter 5! It kinda reminds me of wind waker sailing? I really enjoy the raft building aspect in it, and I ended up getting the mothership achievement in normal gameplay. Overall if a AAA studio released this game it would probably have less glitches andI've spent 13 hours in this game and i loved every second of it. I'm probably going MUCH slower than other people but at least I'm in chapter 5! It kinda reminds me of wind waker sailing? I really enjoy the raft building aspect in it, and I ended up getting the mothership achievement in normal gameplay. Overall if a AAA studio released this game it would probably have less glitches and more boimes, but for a $30 indie game I really enjoy it! So while I originally thought this was gonna be a Zeldalike I'd say i'm much more pleased than I would have been with a rip off. Don't trust the reviews of people who thought it was more like Zelda than a survival game. 9/10… Expand
  11. Braveorcq
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    Impressive game from a Indy studio.

    It Is a survival game with nice artistic graphic style.
    Relaxing music.

    Take some time to get used to the controls but they work fine.

    The game run smooth on the switch.
    The only thing is the long load time at first start up. But after that it get better.
  12. vanessaiscute
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    i love this game a lot, its fun its relaxing espcially on easy mode and i just love the concept or hunting monsters and crafting things. If i had to give a complaint it would have to be the mast the not being able to change the wind relaly dampers the exerine using it every time i use it, it always leads me off the map and killing me.
  13. SodaRamune
    Aug 30, 2020
    3
    Not worth it’s money. It’s repetitive and very poorly flushed out. Combat is extremely clunky and the sailing mechanic simply does not work. It’s a shame because I would be fine with this if it wasn’t 60% of what the game’s about
  14. Exeleron
    Sep 1, 2020
    7
    The game is quite a masterpiece for a indie studio and really close on parts of breath of the wild. The sailing mechanics are really realistic and its fells good to craft on it and run over your boat during the sailing XD Why i don't gave the 10 / 10 one big fact is the really long loading sequences -1 point. Another disappoint fact is that when i choose the story mode which is describedThe game is quite a masterpiece for a indie studio and really close on parts of breath of the wild. The sailing mechanics are really realistic and its fells good to craft on it and run over your boat during the sailing XD Why i don't gave the 10 / 10 one big fact is the really long loading sequences -1 point. Another disappoint fact is that when i choose the story mode which is described is if i died the complete chapter is reset and you don't save any progress maybe that's a point for me personal but sorry guys -1 point for this behaviour. The last and most disappointing fact is that i played the game over four hours and had in this time 5 game crashes sometimes in games they are "OK" but in this game its doubled annoying because when the game is crashed the game behave as when you died so i had to play 5 chapters twice -1 point ... but anyway if they would fix this i think most of them are switch issues the game is definitely worth to buy ;)… Expand
  15. AnthLC
    Sep 2, 2020
    8
    It is a little buggy and will crash at the end of a level and seems to load twice once starting the game and on loading a saved game. If you save you should be fine 80% of the time. You die generally to misfortune, miscalculation or poor decisions. It isn’t everyone “cup of tea” and restarting from scratch can annoy some people. I actually like it a lot, it is graphically very beautiful,It is a little buggy and will crash at the end of a level and seems to load twice once starting the game and on loading a saved game. If you save you should be fine 80% of the time. You die generally to misfortune, miscalculation or poor decisions. It isn’t everyone “cup of tea” and restarting from scratch can annoy some people. I actually like it a lot, it is graphically very beautiful, the coral wow, is fun sailing the sea and dodging sharks. It will will help maybe to have a slightly easier level for people who just want ship build and sail. A few more fixes on crashes, the losing of saves, maybe increasing the amount each item to 30 to reduce the bag changing, or add a option to tweak how rogue you want it to play. But I can see this turn into a franchise like Zelda.… Expand
  16. j1mbo15
    Sep 2, 2020
    5
    I wanted this to be more like Zelda and Windwaker, as advertised. Not a bad game, but after the first soul crushing, between chapter crash where you lose all your progress it gets not fun real fast.
  17. JediJen
    Sep 12, 2020
    5
    I love survival games and I had been looking forward to Windbound ever since it was announced for the Switch. The day finally came and I downloaded it as soon as I could.

    It's a beautiful game and the sound design and music are done well. However, the combat is very clunky and trying to stay well-fed and/or not die of hunger occupied most of my time. While waiting for things to cook or    I love survival games and I had been looking forward to Windbound ever since it was announced for the Switch. The day finally came and I downloaded it as soon as I could.

    It's a beautiful game and the sound design and music are done well. However, the combat is very clunky and trying to stay well-fed and/or not die of hunger occupied most of my time. While waiting for things to cook or dry, I would do chores around my own house. When I play a game, I don't want to feel like I could better use my time efficiently by walking away and doing things OUTSIDE of it. I did a lot of waiting and there wasn't enough for me to do in the game itself otherwise.

    Inventory management was awkward (also the controls said to use ZR/ZL to flip between menus but it was actually R and L). I spent a lot of time trying to make more bags and while waiting for more mats to respawn, I would start to go hungry but I couldn't pick up any meat from the kills I made (or I had to drop items) because I had no space.

    I enjoyed the no-hand-holding aspect but the feedback loop was getting a little too repetitive and disheartening. I died a few times in the beginning and the penalty is pretty steep, even in story mode (you get kicked back to the very start of the game) so you have to be very careful otherwise all your progress is for naught, even if you do get to keep your inventory items in story mode - in survival mode, you lose everything).

    It's a decent game and would still recommend it because it could be a really good game with different or better management than me. However, I would wait for the price to drop to about $15-$20. Full price of $30 is not worth it for a game that's 40% about waiting but still only lasts about 6 hours is not really good value for the buck, in my opinion. And I see little to no need for replay.

    TL;DR - An okay game though frustrating at times. So wait until price drops to $15-20 for best value.    … Expand
  18. tamersergany
    Feb 24, 2021
    6
    This review is for the Nintendo switch version of Windbound. I wish I could give this game a higher rating, I really want to but here is why it’s a 6 out of 10. Short version: GLITCHES GLITCHES GLITCHES, and load times. I have it over all positive because visually it’s a beautiful game, music during gameplay during start menu, during sailing and during battle is ON POINT. Relaxing andThis review is for the Nintendo switch version of Windbound. I wish I could give this game a higher rating, I really want to but here is why it’s a 6 out of 10. Short version: GLITCHES GLITCHES GLITCHES, and load times. I have it over all positive because visually it’s a beautiful game, music during gameplay during start menu, during sailing and during battle is ON POINT. Relaxing and calm, yet picks up when things get heated. The sailing is fun enjoyable and challenging when you get your boat up and running but again faces glitches like the boat flipping over way too often than it should. Also the new update with the “mark of” items don’t work too well if at all. I love survival games and this game is a gem if you can stomach all the glitches and repetition it has, which for some it might be too annoying. I force closed the game numerous times either because I died by glitch or bad reach, or because when the game restarted it threw me in the middle of the ocean with my boat stuck dead center in a tree. Glitchy game has so much potential but truly disappointing.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Gameblog.fr
    Oct 6, 2020
    60
    Windbound is a survival game with rogue lite components. If the game has good ideas and design, the controls lacks of ergonomy, and the game is quite repetitive.
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  2. Switch Player
    Sep 8, 2020
    40
    Windbound promises so much with beautiful Zelda-like visuals, but visuals alone do not make for a great game. The survival and rogue-like aspects detract from this game’s personality, and a miserable, repetitive search across each level make the game a bore.
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  3. Nintendo Life
    Sep 1, 2020
    70
    Windbound is most certainly not the Zelda-lite adventure that you may have expected it to be, but it still manages to pull off an impressively well-made survival experience that’s fun to roam around in for a few hours. The open-ended progression, pleasing art style, and relaxing pace make this one an easy recommendation for fans of the survival genre, though it’s held back from greatness due to issues with repetition. Still, it’s tough to go wrong with what’s on offer here; you might want to give this one a look.
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