LostWinds

Infobox VG
title=LostWinds


developer=Frontier Developments
publisher=Frontier Developments
designer=
engine
released=Vgrelease|North America|NA|May 12, 2008
vgrelease|Europe|EU|May 20, 2008
Vgrelease|Australia|AU|May 20, 2008

genre=Platform/Adventure
modes=Single-player
Co-op multiplayer
ratings= ESRB: E
PEGI: 7+
OFLC: G
platforms=Wii (WiiWare)
media=
requirements=
input=Wii Remote and Nunchuk

"LostWinds" is a platform/adventure video game developed by Frontier Developments for WiiWare. The game was released in North America on May 12, 2008 and in Europe on May 20, 2008, serving as a launch title for WiiWare in both regions. It costs 1000 Wii Points and takes up 259 blocks. [ [http://www.wiiware-world.com/games/wiiware/lostwinds WiiWare World - LostWinds] ] Frontier Developments have already stated that "LostWinds 2" is in development.

Plot

The game revolves around a young boy named Toku tasked with saving his homeland from the vengeful elemental Balasar with guidance from the wind elemental Enril.

Gameplay

The player controls Toku, but simultaneously uses the Wii Remote to draw directional paths on-screen that control the wind. Wind is used to enhance Toku's jumps, defeat or immobilize enemies, and solve puzzles. [Cite web | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/866/866531p1.html | title=Hands-on LostWinds | publisher=IGN | first=Matt | last=Casamassina | authorlink=Matt Casamassina | date=2008-04-15 | accessdate=2008-05-07] A second player can also join in with their Wii Remote controlling a second on-screen wind cursor, allowing Toku to fly further but not higher.

Development

The genesis of "LostWinds" stems from a Frontier "Game of the Week" competition to develop a game that took advantage of the Wii Remote.Cite web | url=http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/05/david_braben_inteview_lostwinds | title=David Braben Inteview: LostWinds | publisher=WiiWare World | first=Tom| last=McShae| date=2008-05-21 | accessdate=2008-05-22] The idea for the game itself came from Steve Burgess, a designer for Frontier. He was watching the wind blow through some trees and began thinking about a way to have a player become the wind in a game. He began envisioning puzzles and later added a second character to be "moved" and "protected" by the wind, and applied his ideas to the Wii Remote. [Cite journal |journal=Nintendo Power |volume=229 |date=June 2008 |title=Winds of Change |first=Chris |last=Hoffman |pages=p. 22]

equel

At the end of the game, a short epilogue is played as well as the words "to be continued..." Frontier Developments have already stated that they are working on a sequel for the game. [Cite web | url=http://www.frontier.co.uk/games/lostwinds/ | title=Frontier Developments LostWinds page | accessdate=2008-06-13]

Reception

VG Reviews
1UP = B
Edge = 8/10
GamePro = 5/5
GSpot= 5.5/10
IGN = 8.2/10
N-Europe = 8/10
WiiWare World = 9/10
MC = 81/100 [cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/lostwinds| title= LostWinds | date=2008-05-22| publisher = Metacritic| accessdate=2008-05-22]
GR = 82/100 [cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/945044.asp| title= LostWinds - WII | date=2008-05-22| publisher = Game Rankings| accessdate=2008-05-22]
Bangkok Post = 4/5
"LostWinds" received a largely positive response. IGN praised "LostWinds"' sound and graphics, calling the presentation "remarkable", and felt the gameplay was fresh and fun with clever puzzles and tight controls. However, they had concerns with the short length of the game, which they claimed could be finished in about three hours, but felt this was offset by the relatively inexpensive price compared to a retail game.Cite web | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/873/873402p1.html | title=LostWinds Review | publisher=IGN | first=Matt | last=Casamassina | authorlink=Matt Casamassina | date=2008-05-12 | accessdate=2008-05-13] Eurogamer also praised the presentation, controls and puzzles, claiming the game to be a "mini-masterpiece", [Cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=139532&page=2 | title=LostWinds Review | publisher=Eurogamer | first=Kristan | last=Reed | date=2008-05-13 | accessdate=2008-05-14] while GamePro gave the game a perfect score, calling it "beautiful and unique".Cite web | url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/wii/games/features/184688.shtml | title=WiiWare LostWinds Impressions: Wait, This is Really Good | publisher=GamePro | first=Daniel| last=Cowan| date=2008-05-14 | accessdate=2008-05-17]

1UP.com thought the game was "charming, beautiful, and loaded with smart, judicious use of the Wii Remote" while voicing minor concerns with its length,Cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3167872&p=44 | title=LostWinds Wii Review | publisher=1UP.com | first=Jeff| last=Green| date=2008-05-17 | accessdate=2008-05-17] while WiiWare World thought the game was "innovative" but "not be quite as revolutionary in terms of play control as some had hoped", though they stated it was "a step in the right direction" for the platform genre and WiiWare games as a whole. [Cite web | url=http://www.wiiware-world.com/reviews/2008/05/lostwinds | title=LostWinds (WiiWare) Review | publisher=WiiWare World | first=Corbie| last=Dillard| date=2008-05-14 | accessdate=2008-05-17] N-Europe praised Frontier's "astounding attention to detail" in LostWinds and its visuals which make it seem like a "living, breathing fairytale". [Cite web | url=http://n-europe.com/review.php?rid=377 | title=WiiWare Review: LostWinds | publisher=N-Europe | first=Nathan| last=Whincup| date=2008-05-27 | accessdate=2008-05-27]

In contrast, GameSpot thought "LostWinds" was "brimming with potential", but ended up being very disappointed with many aspects of the game, including its short length, and claimed a lack of "energy" and "personality" in the game.Cite web | url=http://gamespot.com/wii/action/lostwinds/review.html | title=LostWinds for Wii Review | publisher=GameSpot | first=Tom| last=McShae| date=2008-05-16 | accessdate=2008-05-17]

Addressing the short length of the game, Frontier founder David Braben believes "LostWinds" stacks up favorably against some recent, full priced retail games which offer as little as between four and seven hours of gameplay.

References

External links

* [http://www.frontier.co.uk/games/lostwinds LostWinds at Frontier Developments]