Windbound Review (PlayStation 4)

The Forbidden Islands are Calling, Unlock their Secrets. Shipwrecked on an island, explore, adapt and navigate the land and perilous seas to stay alive.

Pros:

• Big bright colorful cartoon-style graphics.
• 905.4mb download size.
• Platinum trophy.
• Two difficulties-storyteller (full inventory kept upon death/chapter progress is retained/combat is easier) or survivalist (only held items stay upon death/return to chapter 1 and standard combat)
• Invert axis and sensitivity slider.
• Tutorials-on/off.
• 3 save slots.
• Survival adventure gameplay.
• Has a Zelda vibe to it in both appearance and atmosphere.
• Left to figure it all out by yourself with occasional tutorial pop-ups and descriptions on rocks.
• Crafting model-learn new recipes and take materials from the land. Recipes generally unlock as you find certain materials.
• Hunger and stamina meters.
• Quick selection wheel for items.
• Play how you want.
• Save when you like on the menu.
• Map-uncovers as you explore the world.
• Beautiful underwater scenery.
• You, a boat, and the open sea.
• The first time picking something up will give a description pop up.
• Sneak mechanics including the ability to hide in bushes.
• The game is split into chapters.
• Day/night cycle.
• You can drown if you run out of stamina when swimming.
• Possible to upgrade your boat with sails and storage.
• The game world is made up of many islands.
• The gameplay loop is in each chapter you have 3 shells to activate and then you go to this central type space and can convert sea shards and get permanent upgrades. (not official names, it’s my name for them)
• Shrines-find these for health/stamina increases.
• Find sea shell mini shrines around the game world.
• Wind-adjust sails and tighten/loosen them to get the momentum and movement from the wind.
• Triggered shrines will emit a beam of light to help you in navigation.
• Wildlife-attack and fight with the wildlife you can see their life bar and the music changes.

Cons:

• Checkpoints are far apart.
• Tutorial pop-ups feel late at times.
• Got stuck on animations or it wouldn’t animate when walking.
• The grab mechanic is sporadic and doesn’t always work.
• Combat feels a bit sloppy.
• Constantly struggling with the boat mast and wind.
• Very easy for the boat to get stuck.
• Slow pace.
• Gets repetitive.
• The bit you do in between chapters is actually dull and uneventful.