Windblown is the latest early-access action roguelike from Motion Twin, the creators of the indie hit Dead Cells. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Everything We Know About Windblown
Windblown Story Plot
After peacefully living in The Ark which has been orbiting around the deadly Vortex, the deadly maelstrom is now about to devour the whole village. While countless warriors have tried and failed to stop the forces of the Vortex, it’s now your turn to step up to the plate.
Do you have what it takes?
Windblown Gameplay
Windblown is a fast-paced isometric co-op action roguelike where the emphasis is on adaptability with the numerous combinations and synergies you can create with the different gear you will be using.
You will be able to equip two different weapons and collect unique gear to help you in your quest to defeat the forces of the Vortex. The game also features up to three-player co-op where you can help each other in your journey to save the Ark.
Released October 24, 2024 at 12 p.m. EDT 9 a.m. PDT
Windblown’s early access will be released in October 24, 2024 for PC (Steam). The devs have stated that the game will be in early access for at least a year or until they are satisfied with the state of the game. Early access will become available at around 12 p.m. EDT 9 a.m. PDT.
Windblown Review [Early Access]
Blew Me Away
The challenge with achieving greatness right out of the gate is that everyone expects an encore. If your initial success was just a fluke, you’re in trouble—but for Motion Twin, creators of the genre-defining Dead Cells, their success was no accident. Now, they’re back with Windblown, a game poised to follow in the footsteps of their first indie masterpiece; one that carries all the lessons they’ve learned from Dead Cell’s success.
There's a lot to dissect here, especially considering the legacy this game has to live up to, so let’s skip the formalities and dive straight into the whirlwind that is Windblown—a game that completely blew me away.
At its core, Windblown is a 3D action roguelike that stays true to the frantic, combo-focused combat that made Dead Cells a hit. But where Dead Cells embraced the Metroidvania style, Windblown takes a bold leap into 3D space, allowing Motion Twin to explore a whole new dimension of mechanics and design.
And explore they did—Windblown's core gameplay loop is packed with finely tuned mechanics. The primary objective remains familiar: push forward through enemy encounters, gather gear, and collect metagame currency to unlock upgrades for future runs after your inevitable death. You return to the hub world, chat with a few NPCs, and dive back in to repeat the cycle. It’s a straightforward formula, especially for roguelike veterans.
Combat takes place in individual rooms, offering a satisfying hack-and-slash experience akin to Hades, where combos with primary and secondary weapons—enhanced by trinkets—are key to success. Healing is done with a flask, in true Dead Cells or Dark Souls fashion, and each room promises a different reward. While it’s a familiar setup, Motion Twin’s flawless execution of combat rhythm makes it shine. But from here on, Windblown begins to carve its own path, setting itself apart from its inspirations in exciting ways.
First off, your primary and secondary weapons in Windblown aren’t just tactical options you swap between—they're synergistic tools designed to complement each other. Every weapon has its own combo string, and when executed almost to completion, it triggers a special effect from your secondary weapon, often with spectacular results. Take the Katar, for instance: it finishes with a powerful smash attack that also infuses all your weapons with a bleed effect.
This system adds an extra layer of strategy and build-crafting, encouraging players to think about how their weapons work together in a combo chain. It also raises the baseline power level for players, giving Motion Twin room to design more diverse and imaginative enemies that still feel challenging.
Another standout feature is the "Crystallize" mechanic, a quick-time-event-style execution system for powerful enemies. After dealing enough damage to a large enemy quickly, a prompt appears, allowing you to finish them off and earn extra rewards on top of their regular loot.
This keeps combat fluid, preventing players from getting bogged down by tanky enemies while smaller ones swarm the battlefield. The best part? This mechanic even applies to boss fights, giving you a thrilling edge in those encounters if you’re willing to go all in.
Beyond its combat, Windblown offers a wealth of ways to develop your character both during and after each run. Mid-run, players can enhance their base stats using "Boosts," add passive modifiers to their weapons with "Gifts," or snag better gear by opening chests or tackling trial rooms filled with tougher enemies.
After a run, the metagame currency—called "Cogs"—comes into play. You can use Cogs to unlock new Gifts, Weapons, Trinkets, or even new gameplay features back in the hub world. This system echoes Dead Cells, but rather than rehashing old mechanics, Motion Twin is sticking to what works, refining their successful approach instead of reinventing the wheel.
Mechanically, Windblown is as smooth as butter. Each move flows seamlessly into the next, with no interruptions in combat, and the rooms are linked by islands of floating rocks and debris, maintaining momentum between fights. Death isn't much of a setback either, thanks to the game’s forgiving yet rewarding metagame progression. It’s so addictive that I can easily see myself diving into at least five runs per session—each one about 20 minutes long—because I just can't put it down!
If there’s any downside to Windblown, it would be its skill-reliant barrier to entry. Much like Dead Cells, this is a challenging game, and it doesn’t hold your hand at any point. In fact, it encourages you to up the difficulty if you’re feeling daring. Not everyone will have the time or headspace to master its mechanics, which may limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Some might see the game's fragmented story as a downside, though it’s certainly not due to a lack of content. In fact, there’s a surprising depth of lore and character within the setting—it's just not as polished or cohesive as it could be at this stage. But hey, that’s the nature of early access! For an action-roguelike that hits this hard, a slightly disjointed narrative is hardly a dealbreaker.
All that said, there’s really nothing else to criticize—at least, nothing that a couple of early-access patches couldn’t smooth out. Windblown doesn’t aim to surprise; it’s simply Motion Twin delivering another hit, as expected. And honestly, I’m glad they stuck to their formula. While too much of a good thing can sometimes be overwhelming, in this case, I’m more than happy to welcome more of this roguelike brilliance.
Great to Experience Motion Twin’s Weapon Design Again
As I've mentioned throughout this review, Windblown draws heavily from its predecessor, but the standout inspiration has to be how Motion Twin has once again nailed weapon and trinket design.
Given the wildly imaginative and effective arsenal in Dead Cells, anything less for Windblown would’ve been a disappointment. Fortunately, Windblown absolutely buffets you with wacky weaponry.
You’ve got crossbows that fire to the beat à la Bullets per Minute, paintbrushes that splatter goo, backstab enablers, fire staves that penetrate enemies, ninja stars, and even a spin-to-win greatsword shaped like a feather—and that’s just the starting weapons plus a few unlocks.
Complementing these weapons are the various Gifts you can pick up during a run, which enhance not only your damage but also the functionality of your gear. Want your goo to linger longer or your heavy attacks to strike twice? No problem. The game offers a ton of ways to fine-tune your build and experiment with weapon synergies, ensuring that no two runs ever feel the same.
Absolute Banger of an Aesthetic
I’m a huge fan of Windblown’s aesthetic and audio design, as both add a level of polish that really sets the game apart from the crowded roguelike scene. The game’s art direction, blending the floating islands and vibrant character designs reminiscent of Skylanders with the ancient industrialism of Breath of the Wild, was a bold choice—and it absolutely pays off.
As for the audio, I can't talk about it without mentioning the game’s killer intro cinematic. Not only does it look like it could be the start of an anime, but it also sounds like the part with its incredible intro track. The combination of visuals and music creates a striking vibe, balancing the elegance of sculpted marble and the grit of punk culture. It’s uniquely lively, yet with a subtle, somber edge that draws you in.
It’s Got That Dead Cells Difficulty Curve
Depending on your perspective, Windblown's difficulty curve could be seen as either a blessing or a curse. The game doesn’t shy away from punishing players—health is a scarce resource, and enemies hit disproportionately hard for their size.
As a result, even if this kind of game is right up your alley, you’ll find yourself sent back to the beginning more often than you’d expect. Personally, I don’t mind; for me, that’s just part of the Windblown experience. But for others, particularly those who can’t invest the time or effort to master its mechanics, this might be one of the game’s more frustrating, if not damning, qualities.
As Good as Early-Access Gets
Windblown is a shining example of how good early-access can be. Unlike titles such as No More Room in Hell 2 or Level Zero: Extraction, which felt stillborn in early-access, Windblown strikes the perfect balance between offering a polished experience and leaving room for future improvements. It’s solid enough to warrant continued development, yet flexible enough to embrace changes as it evolves.
If you’ve grown skeptical of the early-access model, Windblown might just be the game that restores your faith in its potential.
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Windblown Product Information
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| Title | WINDBLOWN |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 (Early Access) |
| Developer | Motion Twin |
| Publisher | Motion Twin, Kepler Ghost |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam) |
| Genre | Action, Roguelike |
| Number of Players | 1-3 |
| ESRB Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Windblown Official Website |
