Windlands (VR) Reviews
Windlands is easily the best platforming experience available on the PlayStation VR, and a must for anyone who wants to see what a Mirror’s Edge-style blend of platforming and parkour is like in that format.
Windlands is a pretty great idea that could have been an essential PSVR title had more thought been put into its traversal.
An interesting test of your VR mettle, but also a reminder that once the novelty wears off VR titles need compelling gameplay as much as any other game.
Windlands is one of the most beautiful games I've ever played. From the uplifting soundtrack to the thrill of jumping around in first-person and grappling like a maniac, it's a fun experience. It's just that right now, in terms of VR, it's exactly that: an experience, flaws and all.
Windlands is a decent VR experience boasting a unique type of movement. The issue is that those prone to motion sickness are unlikely to be able to play this for more than a few minutes even with comfort settings, at least at first. It’s also a bit bizarre that the higher difficulties restrict movement, making easy mode the best way to experience Windlands. There isn’t a lot of content but there is replayability value should you wish to beat run times. The story isn’t too important, outdone by the game’s visual design and music. Windlands captures the essence of soaring through the air, but sadly it simply won’t be for everyone.
This lead to rampant experimentation on how far I could go and the extent to which I could combine multiple swings without ever stopping.
Terror, exhilaration and nausea. It's a testament to the power of VR that such a simple, straight-forward game as Windlands has the ability to makes its players feel so much. The biggest problem of course is trying to work out just what it's going to make you feel. Fortunately, if you can master your stomach – with help from the numerous VR comfort options – and throw yourself in head first, you just might find a frequently thrilling experience that despite its frustrations is worth falling for.
Windlands, even before a game, is the demonstration of what VR can do for a game.
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If you’re looking for a vibrant world to explore in virtual reality then Windlands is certainly worth trying. However, if you are looking to feel like Spider-Man seamlessly swinging around a new landscape, keep in mind that poor traversal mechanics and awkward movement will make that feel less authentic that you might have hoped.
This wonderful looking Spider-Man simulator in the sky doesn't live up to its full potential.
Windlands is a one of a kind VR experience, allowing anyone to feel like they are soaring through the sky. It is probably one of the worst games when it comes to motion sickness, but does provide plenty of comfort settings to help alleviate the sensation. There isn't much regarding content, but the added leaderboards do provide a reason to keep coming back. I found easy mode the most enjoyable, as trying to thread the needle with the grappling hooks on the higher difficulties to be much more of a hassle than it was worth.
Windlands' swinging and soaring facilitates a manic relationship between serenity and stress. It's either a holiday bounding across lush vistas or a white-knuckled, vertigo-inducing parkour utopia. Windlands isn't terribly inventive, however, its considerable accessibility options and presence inside virtual reality's honeymoon do well to suppress effective objections.
Initially the small, sub-2GB download had me confused as to how a VR world could take up so little space, but now I realise that’s because it’s mostly bland, empty space and I can’t say that spending £18.99 on a large amount of nothing is particularly appealing.
While playing on Normal, I felt like Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. On easy, I felt like Spider-Man! I was shooting my “webs” as I grabbed onto any surface I wanted to, swinging around just like the superhero. It really is an amazing feeling, and I recommend that you give it a try.
Windlands is an enjoyable PlayStation VR game. This the closest thing to actually becoming Spider-Man yet so it gets a thumbs up from me. Shadowed by a lack of depth, this is a game for the explorers out there. It may not get the most of playtime, but you’ll definitely have fun swinging along during the time you have with it. A Windlands 2 with a deeper, better story and more innovative ideas? Yes please!
While my experience with Windlands may have been a short-lived romance that ended as all such things do: lots of puke, lying down... A few tears... It's still an excellent game that really shows what can be done outside of the done-to-death first-person shooters that VR and motion controls tend to attract. It's a lovely world to get lost in and I'm hoping that I'll be able to revisit this old flame one day in the future.
Despite a valiant attempt to help reduce locomotion sickness, The game just falls short