Windblown: A Lightning-Fast Roguelite That Keeps You Hooked

Motion Twin, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Dead Cells, returns with a bold foray into the roguelite genre: Windblown. Currently in early access, this adrenaline-fueled action roguelite delivers a high-octane blend of fast-paced combat, cooperative gameplay, and endless replayability. With its ever-changing environments, myriad weapon combinations, and punishing-yet-fair combat, Windblown has the makings of a top-tier roguelite. However, as an early access game, it’s not without its rough edges.

The Vortex Beckons: Story and Setting

The story of Windblown centers around “The Ark,” a floating sanctuary orbiting the deadly Vortex. This enigmatic force is steadily consuming the surrounding skies, and the Leapers—warriors charged with protecting their people—must venture into its depths. Armed with the memories of fallen warriors and an array of evolving weapons, you’ll fight to survive while unraveling the secrets of the Vortex.

The narrative is minimalistic, keeping the focus on the action. Instead of long cutscenes, the game delivers its story through environmental cues, cryptic NPCs, and the items you encounter. The sparse storytelling works well, allowing players to craft their own interpretation of the grim-yet-beautiful world.

Gameplay: Fast, Fluid, and Brutal

Windblown thrives on its lightning-fast combat and agile movement. Dashing through sprawling sky islands while chaining attacks feels both exhilarating and intuitive. The game’s mechanics will feel instantly familiar to fans of Hades, with combat revolving around dodging, timing, and executing combos. What sets Windblown apart is its co-op mode, allowing up to three players to take on the Vortex together.

Each run is procedurally generated, offering unique weapon synergies and trinket combinations. The variety in weapons, Gifts, and Memories ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. Whether you’re experimenting with a long-range bow and a fire-infused blade or a dual-weapon setup loaded with Alterattacks (powerful secondary moves), the depth of customization is impressive. However, not all weapons shine equally. For example, the shield feels underwhelming, as its parry mechanic is too situational to justify its defensive playstyle.

The game’s difficulty is both its greatest strength and its most divisive feature. Every enemy encounter feels high-stakes, and the margin for error is slim. The sudden-death mechanic in co-op mode forces all players to communicate and work together, heightening the tension in every run. That said, the punishing nature of some mechanics, like misaligned difficulty spikes, may deter more casual players.

Early Access Growing Pains

Being in early access, Windblown is still rough around the edges. The game’s visually stunning environments and particle effects come at a cost, with performance issues cropping up even on high-end systems. Players have reported occasional slowdowns and stuttering during intense sequences, which can be frustrating in a game that demands precision.

Another small annoyance lies in the item-storage system, which requires players to interact with Magfishes (the game’s quirky storage mechanic) before transitioning to a new biome. The process feels redundant, as you’re often asked to confirm your progression twice, breaking the game’s otherwise seamless flow.

Thankfully, Motion Twin has an excellent track record of listening to player feedback, as demonstrated during Dead Cells’ early access period. Many of these nitpicks are likely to be addressed as the game evolves.

Art and Atmosphere: A Skybound Masterpiece

The visual design of Windblown is nothing short of breathtaking. The vibrant, ever-changing sky islands are teeming with details, making every frame a feast for the eyes. The art style captures the same whimsical-yet-dark tone seen in Dead Cells, though with a lighter and more fantastical edge.

The soundtrack is another highlight, matching the frenetic pace of combat with energetic, pulse-pounding tracks. Subtle atmospheric pieces fill the quieter moments, adding emotional weight to the world’s mysterious beauty.

Why You’ll Keep Coming Back: Replayability and Co-op

What makes Windblown truly addictive is its replayability. Each run offers new challenges, weapons, and synergies, encouraging experimentation and rewarding mastery. The cooperative mode adds an extra layer of chaos and fun, especially when you coordinate perfectly with your teammates to pull off a flawless run. However, co-op also amplifies the frustration during failed attempts, as one player’s mistake can end the entire team’s run.

Despite its smaller world size in its current state, the game’s progression system keeps players invested. Unlocking new weapons, powers, and abilities ensures a constant sense of growth, even after countless defeats.

Shaping the Future of Windblown

As an early access game, Windblown is a work in progress. While the core gameplay loop is solid, there’s room for improvement in terms of balance, performance optimization, and quality-of-life tweaks. Motion Twin’s transparency and willingness to engage with the community are promising signs that the game will only get better over time.

Highs and Lows of the Vortex

What Soars in Windblown

• Fast-Paced Combat: The dashing and combo-based mechanics are exhilarating and highly satisfying.
• Weapon Variety: The range of weapons, Gifts, and trinkets offers endless experimentation and replayability.
• Co-op Mode: Playing with friends adds a thrilling layer of teamwork and chaos.
• Art and Sound: Stunning visuals and an engaging soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere.

Where the Wind Falters

• Performance Issues: Even on high-end hardware, minor slowdowns and stutters disrupt the flow during intense battles.
• Redundant Mechanics: Certain systems, like the Magfish storage confirmation, feel unnecessarily clunky.
• Weapon Imbalances: Some weapons, like the shield, feel underpowered and in need of rebalancing.
• Difficulty Spikes: The sudden-death mechanic in co-op can be frustrating, especially for casual players.