Ever since I witnessed Windblown in action at this year’s Game Developers Conference, I’ve been eagerly awaiting my chance to dive in. Motion Twin, the studio behind the beloved Dead Cells, has crafted a roguelike that, while visually distinct with its vibrant colors and cartoonish aesthetic, still retains that signature fast-paced action and addictive progression system. Now, players won’t have to wait much longer – Windblown will launch into early access on October 24th, with a free demo available even sooner on October 14th.
Ahead of its launch, I had the opportunity to get hands-on with a limited version of the early access build. While I didn’t have access to every weapon or biome (there will be five in the early access version), the experience was more than enough to completely hook me. Windblown might look like a typical action roguelike at first glance, but its lightning-fast gameplay demands your full attention. Once you take the reins, you’ll instantly understand why it’s destined to become the next great roguelike.
Windblown wastes no time getting you into the heart of the action. You’re instantly thrown into a run after choosing your animal hero (I opted for the adorable axolotl, of course). The initial gameplay loop feels familiar: you slash your way through rooms full of enemies with your trusty weapon, collecting upgrades that make you stronger for the current run. The biggest difference, especially from Dead Cells, is the transition to a 3D world that feels ripped from a joyous cartoon. It’s a complete departure for Motion Twin, but they’ve nailed the vibrant style.
But the more I played, the more Windblown unfolded into something truly special. The standout feature is your character’s dash ability. With a simple button press, you can zip forward at incredible speed, not just for evading attacks but for navigating the fractured, floating islands that make up the levels. Even without precise aiming, Windblown intuitively understands your intentions, making for smooth and satisfying traversal. The more confident you become with the dash, the more exhilarating it feels. You’ll be zipping around biomes like a lightning bolt, making Windblown a speedrunner’s dream.
Battles move just as fast. You can quickly bolt away from an enemy to avoid an attack and then instantly dash back in to continue your assault. It’s this dynamic speed that sets Windblown apart from its peers. You can equip two main weapons at any given time (along with two side trinkets that operate on cooldowns, like bombs or a whirling slash). Each weapon is assigned to a button, so you don’t need to swap them out. But they don’t just have different ranges and attack speeds – each weapon has unique critical hit mechanics. One weapon might only deal critical damage with backstabs, while another, like a crossbow, has a rhythm game element. You’ll need to time your shots when a circle on the screen lights up to deal extra damage.
The combat deepens even further with the introduction of alterattacks. Your two-weapon loadout isn’t just for show. Every combination of weapons you equip unlocks an additional attack. When you hit a specific attack sequence, a blue marker will flash on screen. For example, it might flash after you land two critical hits with your bow. If you attack with your other weapon while the marker is active, you’ll unleash a special attack, like a massive crossbow shot or a jumping spin slash. These twists make combat more rhythmic and strategic, reminiscent of Hi-Fi Rush without the actual beat markers. You can button mash your way through battles, but you’ll deal far more damage if you learn the nuances of each weapon and execute them precisely.
And even then, that’s not the end of Windblown’s deceptively complex combat system. After delving into the second biome, you’ll unlock a new ability: Crystallize. When an enemy is weakened, you’ll occasionally be prompted to hit the left trigger. Instead of finishing them off with standard attacks, you can slam into them for a finisher, earning more resources in the process. It’s another way Windblown encourages players to think strategically about their actions instead of mindlessly spamming buttons.
Both alterattacks and Crystallization demand quick reflexes from players. While it might be challenging to keep up with both at first, they eventually become second nature as you consistently execute them. It’s like mastering an instrument, transitioning from a novice guitarist struggling with basic chords to someone flawlessly playing riffs without even thinking.
Windblown builds on Motion Twin’s genre expertise, drawing heavily on the foundations laid by Dead Cells. There are countless progression hooks that will keep you coming back for more, endlessly chasing new unlocks. You’ll use accumulated currencies to unlock new weapons, perks that can appear during runs, and even permanent upgrades that expand the explorable areas – a familiar Metroidvania hook that Dead Cells utilized to great effect. Even after playing for hours, there’s still a wealth of content to unlock, including increased healing flask capacity, more starting weapon choices at the beginning of each run, and much more.
As you unlock more items, the build potential explodes. Unlocking the Goo Brush, a paintbrush weapon that makes enemies more susceptible to critical hits, allows you to pair it with perks that make your goo corrosive. Combine that with a secondary Goo Bomb, and you’ll be able to burn through enemy health quickly with the right strategy.
And all of this comes together beautifully in co-op play. Up to three players can team up for an adventure, and the game is thoughtfully designed to enhance this experience. One trinket might set an enemy ablaze, creating a fiery aura around you for a short time. Any teammates standing within that perimeter will have their weapons infused with burn damage. Health flasks create healing circles that any player can stand in to replenish their health, adding a touch of MMO influence.
Even the small details shine in co-op. When buying items from shops between biomes, players can pool their resources to help each other. In my co-op game, my teammate was short a few golden shells to recharge their healing flask. He deposited 275 shells into the shop, and I put in the remaining 25, allowing him to purchase the upgrade. It’s just one example of the thoughtful team play potential Windblown offers.
While Windblown has already captured my heart, it’s important to remember that it’s still an early access game. The weapon and perk selections are currently limited, which can make runs feel repetitive early on. The first two biomes also tend to have a somewhat limited set of room layouts that simply shuffle around each run. However, the early access release will be more substantial, and Motion Twin will undoubtedly expand the experience based on player feedback as they work towards the final 1.0 release.
If you want to be a part of the community that shapes the future of Windblown, it’s already worth diving in. It’s a thrilling adrenaline rush that’s poised to reshape the roguelike genre, just like its predecessor did years ago. Windblown launches into early access on October 24th for PC.
