Windbound

Washing up on a strange island with only knives and crafting potential is a brand new concept for a game, isn't it? Obviously not - and honestly, these games are getting a little tired. Windbound is yet another survival crafting game that exploits the waning popularity of the genre - but this time - you'll be by yourself with a more polished art style.

Nothing is exciting looking about Windbound other than it presents like a The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild mod. We shouldn't immediately fob it off, though, as just another survival game - there could be something interesting about it. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of Windbound and see if I'm proven wrong.

Gone with the Wind

So without the multiplayer presence to boost intrigue, a not-so-story-focused premise, and a wide range of crafting capabilities that are ultimately unnecessary - what have we got? Windbound, it would appear. Like a siren to a sailor - we are attracted to the gorgeous visuals of the game. But even if your first hours - it just doesn't turn up.

Seemingly replicating Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in stature - Windbound consistently falls short of expectations. The visuals would say that this is a well-rounded, single-player survival game - actually trying to accomplish anything would speak otherwise. There's little narrative to encourage your survival on this mysterious island and no direction to take your mission.

The two modes offered in the game also seem to dictate lazy development - story and survivalist. The former being a breeze to tell what little story there is in Windbound - and the latter being incredibly difficult. Both do not give you much reason to craft - considering that unexpected enemies can end the game even if you are well geared up.

Windbound comes across as a non-sensical, lackluster survival game even by genre standards. It's only attempted to win over players by presenting beautiful visuals and fluid animations. That's really all there is to admire about the game, however. It's just a pit of uninspired design and empty promises.

Bound for No Destination

Windbound is a disappointment given in how it looks so great. It's definitely not the first single-player survival game to let us down, though - anyone remembers the colossal drag that was Metal Gear Survive? The game reminds just of that - visually appealing but fruitless and frustrating in the end.

Pros:

• Procedurally generated environments with art style look breathtaking
• Animations and movement are fluid

Cons:

• No reason to craft anything - the core mechanic of a survival game
• Minimal story to justify continuing
• Survivalist mode makes the game more frustrating than enjoyable