Review – Windlands
Windlands is first person grappling hook VR exploration game. Soar through the ruins of a fallen civilization and discover the secrets of the ancient world. It appeals to those who want to explore the breathtaking vistas at a relaxing pace, while the challenging routes attract gamers who like to master the skill of soaring through the towering environments at top speed.
My first thought was that it was going to make a great Move Controller supported game. When i realized it was a Dual Shock controller game I was a bit concerned that the controls would not be dialed in as much as the could be. Moving forward with the game, I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to figure out and move around the world. With the combination of solid head tracking to look around and aim your grappling hooks along with easy to understand trigger controls for your left/right hook it makes for a overall really fun experience.
One thing to note is that while I do not get motion sick too easily, I found myself having to put down the game after about 5-10 minutes because how immersive the game is and how it puts you through the fast movement and smooth graphics it became too much at times. The one nice thing in regard to this was the ability within the settings to tone some of that stuff down to make it easier on the eyes. Unfortunately for my personal preference, I was not able to find just the right setting.
Throughout the game I found myself trying out mulitple paths to get from point A to point B. Because Windlands is a fairly large open world environment, there is not necesarrily a linear path to go given that as long as you can jump to something within distance of the jump itself and your hook, you can get there. There is also not a set grappling point either, your hooks will connect to just about anything in the environment. Because of this I caught myself in awkward situations just dangling on a cliff side knowing that my only option was to just let go and start back at the last checkpoint.
Features
- Designed for Virtual Reality First for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, this leads to a rich immersive 3D environment with details you can lean into and see, this also presents perfectly in 2D.
- Grappling hooks focused movement.
- Variety of expansive levels that reward exploration.
- Multiple routes provide a range of optional challenges.
- Skill based, Speed Runs and Time Trials.
- Goal Driven Gameplay.
- Collectibles that reward exploration and 100% completion.
- Calm, Positive, Pressure-Free, Non-Violent, Zen like relaxing play.
- Unlock hidden areas and discover the many secrets. Create new paths and bring life back to the shattered world.
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Solid Graphics
Easy Controls
Head Tracking With VR Is Solid and Well Designed
Higher Risk for Motion Sickness In This Game
Repetitive Gameplay
Overall, Windlands is a fun game to play. If you can handle the fast paced movement and you are that type of gamer in for the 100% completion and finding all of the games hidden objects and goals then Windlands is your game.
If you are the type of person that gets motion sick easily, I would not recommend this game, while it does have settings to help curve that sickness, i feel that it is not enough.
I think that the game itself would have been better priced around the $15-$20 mark on the Playstation Store, however the current $25 price is not bad and I feel is worth it. With its current price of $25, that means that there is also the ability for it to go cheaper for a future sale.
