LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias (PC) Review

Just like its predecessor, LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias is a light action-adventure title. As Toku explores Summerfalls Mountain, he comes across various powers that allow him to reach new areas and further the story. Since this game is a direct sequel, it's recommended that players go through the previous entry to get a feel for controlling Toku and making the most of Enril's abilities. There are a number of new techniques to acquire in the heart of winter. Some of the old powers can also be applied in new ways. For example, drawing a circle in the snow-filled air creates a snowball, which can keep floor panels depressed for a short time.

Inevitably, the constant presence of ice is going to put a damper on exploration efforts. Wouldn't some warmer weather be nice? Sonté, the eternally hibernating spirit, can change the seasons at will. Naturally, an endless summer allows the plants to grow and lakes to thaw, but rushing waterfalls will turn away adventurers. The differing environments offer a myriad of obstacles. If progress is halted, then it's wise to seek out a bear statue, for they serve as season switches. The glorbs will adapt to the changing conditions, but they're still not much of a concern, so just swat them out of the way and continue on.

The additional powers and ability to switch seasons make for more confident level designs. The player has to be more involved and pay greater attention to their surroundings. Even with the new factors taken into account, progression never becomes convoluted. There won't be any instances where Toku can't reach the next objective, simply because he forgot something clear on the other side of the map. Each area flows into the next gracefully, which makes for a flawlessly-paced adventure.

The controls, which are handled entirely via the keyboard and mouse gestures, aren't too bad. Anyone who's played through the first game will have grown accustomed to its quirks. Some might even appreciate how quickly Enril can carry Toku through some areas. The new commands are simple to figure out, and a couple abilities such as the vortex are less finicky than before. The sole problematic aspect occurs in the late game. Toku must lead the king of Melodias to the grand finale, and he can be a bit of nuisance sometimes. In a few cases, it's better to have him sit still for a moment, so the protagonist can focus his attention on how to reach the next area.

The length of this game is comparable to the first. Taking just north of three hours, anyone with an evening to spare can see it through to the end. Obtaining all of the collectibles extends the play time only slightly, so don't be too daunted by the large number of them. The replay value is a bit on the low end, but for the most part, this adventure is pleasant and memorable.