Joystiq hands-on: LostWinds (WiiWare)
by Zack Stern 
{ Apr 15th 2008 at 7:30AM }
The Wii Remote fills this role naturally. A pointer swipe and button push gusts the wind into the world, lifting the small character to higher plateaus. Even ambient background objects like trees and grasses sway with the breeze. Later puzzles require you to guide the wind into other objects, not just the small fellow.
These techniques feel fresh and the visuals rival other Wii games. LostWinds was one of my favorite experiences from the Nintendo Media Summit.
Gallery: LostWinds
The beautiful game progressively builds more complicated controls through its several hours of play. The character can open his coat with one button, catching more wind and lifting even higher. Or he might not have the strength to move an object without a heavy gust.
Because of game's playful controls, I wish I could have spent the time progressing through the entire game. David Braben, founder of the developer Frontier, mentioned that his team has crafted a narrative adventure story around the character. I briefly saw some interstitial, 2D, cut-scene art and was impressed by the care put into the canvas-style paintings. I noticed many graphical flourishes in the 3D world, too, with several layers of the 3D background moving to show depth. Soft lighting effects shaded everything, from ambient plant life to beams streaming through trees.
LostWinds is finished, although it hasn't yet been scheduled for release. Braben hopes it's among the WiiWare launch titles. Pricing details and a confirmed ship date will follow.
Because of game's playful controls, I wish I could have spent the time progressing through the entire game. David Braben, founder of the developer Frontier, mentioned that his team has crafted a narrative adventure story around the character. I briefly saw some interstitial, 2D, cut-scene art and was impressed by the care put into the canvas-style paintings. I noticed many graphical flourishes in the 3D world, too, with several layers of the 3D background moving to show depth. Soft lighting effects shaded everything, from ambient plant life to beams streaming through trees.
LostWinds is finished, although it hasn't yet been scheduled for release. Braben hopes it's among the WiiWare launch titles. Pricing details and a confirmed ship date will follow.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kewlrats @ Apr 15th 2008 7:32AM
This game looks extremely promising.
I'll be buying this game off of WiiWare FO' SHO'.
natureboy46 @ Apr 15th 2008 7:52AM
I can't wait for this game. Day one download for me.
blaine @ Apr 15th 2008 7:52AM
What's the download size like?
Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Apr 15th 2008 7:54AM
This looks really cool.
I had ignored it, but I'll look out for it now.
Off topic: Mario Kart is quite awesome.
SoulBlade @ Apr 15th 2008 8:58AM
Yea.. the game does look cool. How'd you get your hands on Kart?
Nigeria - MK: 0430-8491-9123 @ Apr 15th 2008 9:21AM
I went to the shop and brought it.
Online is great. The matchmaking is almost like Xbox Live.
Even though I've lost every race I've been in - my best is 10th, and my brother/friend keeps kicking my arse, it's still fun.
Someone needs come 10th.
RobLink (MKWii code : 0989 1866 6646) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:34PM
Nigeria, add me on MK. My friend code is to the left. I will be playing tomorrow night, if you want to race.
On topic, I've had my beady little eye on this game since the article in last month's GamesTM. It looks like the promises that were made at the start of the Wii's life about a different way of playing games. There are only a select few developers who have lived up to that.
Nigeria - MK: 0430-8491-9123 @ Apr 15th 2008 4:39PM
Alright, I'll add you later today.
RobLink (MKWii code : 0989 1866 6646) @ Apr 15th 2008 5:17PM
Isn't it strange to have a high profile game like this before the US? I can't remember another time something like this happened.
Evan @ Apr 15th 2008 8:55AM
Count me as interested!
Also, all this Wii news seems a little too nicely timed to distract us from the PS3 update. Or perhaps to re-energize us after an anti-climatic PS3 update (new store, but how about some new content?).
samfish @ Apr 15th 2008 9:02AM
This is pretty much the only Wii Ware game I'm interested in besides Tetris. I'm trying not to get too hyped up on it because I know it's not really going to be a full fledged game, but I'm slowly finding myself slipping.
t_m @ Apr 15th 2008 10:05AM
World of goo has to be worth a look too. I still occasionally get the urge to boot up Tower of Goo for a quick build... and that was essentially a very simple tech demo. If nothing goes wrong it should be pretty awesome.
Ranko @ Apr 15th 2008 10:59AM
The design and concept art for this game is phenomenal.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 12:18PM
The only Wiiware game I'm interested in, although the World of Goo looks somewhat fun.
M @ Apr 15th 2008 5:41PM
small developer doing a low budget yet high quality,and charming game with inovate style and huge fun factor .
Wii,and Wiiware allow these,and remember that "these" was one of the points of the wii and i think its achieved with lost winds.
I hope more content like these is coming.
Pointz @ Apr 20th 2008 4:46AM
The development team is actually quite big, but only a handful of people worked here so...yeah!
Schmobu @ Apr 15th 2008 10:52PM
best looking game on wii ware, I just love the softness of the carachters and environments, so nice and clean, good work texture artists good work
Minas @ Apr 18th 2008 5:57AM
I liked the idea of wind as a helping frined and would like to see it in other games as well.