I’m going to start this review by being completely honest. I am not good at platformers. It’s one of my favourite genres, but I am just… not good at them. Some platformers are so frustrating that after a few levels, I gave up. I hate to say it, but a couple of Mario games fall into that category. Some developers seem to forget that being harder doesn’t automatically make a game better. Instead of using difficulty levels to create an engaging experience, it sometimes feels like they just say, “Screw it, let’s put a part in every level that requires the dexterity and reflexes of a god.” It really irks me, and it stops me from enjoying the game. I enjoy a challenge, but a god I am not.
Now that I have that off my chest.
Windswept is a very good example of getting it right.
Directly inspired by Donkey Kong Country, the developers, WeatherFell, set out to recapture the creativity, simplicity, and challenge that defined the era. The result is a visually charming and mechanically robust homage that succeeds in so many ways.
Players control Marbles the Duck and Checkers the Turtle. Marbles hatches from his egg and is promptly swept away by a tornado. He meets Checkers, and the two team up to try and find a way back home. That is literally the story. Simple, like “rescue the Princess” or “collect bananas!” This straightforward narrative provides a framework for the platforming, keeping the focus on gameplay rather than plot, which suits the game’s nostalgic design perfectly.
The visual design immediately evokes the 16-bit era, from its pixel art and fluid animations to its vibrant colour palette. Playing on the Switch reminded me of my Game Boy Advance SP, sneaking a few levels before bed, nostalgia without it ever feeling forced. The soundtrack is a retro-inspired collection of 40 tracks that perfectly reinforces the game’s tone. While none are instantly iconic like Mario or Pokémon tunes, the sound design hits exactly what a 90s-inspired platformer needs.
The world map is reminiscent of Super Mario World, with players moving a small sprite between 40 side-scrolling levels across several biomes. Each area introduces fresh visual themes and music, keeping progression engaging. At its core, Windswept offers a responsive movement system. Players can swap between Marbles and Checkers at any time, each with unique abilities. Marbles can glide and throw Checkers to attack enemies from a distance. Which is a concept I found hilarious, because as soon as Marbles meets Checkers, he starts yeeting him at enemies! Checkers has his own abilities too, as he can ground pound and launch Marbles upward to reach new platforms.
This dual-character system forms the foundation of the gameplay. Early levels gradually introduce abilities, while later stages expect mastery of the full move set, turning the experience into a demanding but rewarding test of precision and timing. The game encourages experimentation, letting players discover creative ways to chain moves together, though it is possible to skip some of the more exploratory challenges for a more direct path.
Mounts, including a dolphin, gecko, bat, or puppy, add variety. These temporary allies provide extra mobility or protection, much like companion mechanics in Donkey Kong Country. Certain mount-based stages, particularly minecart-style sequences with the puppy, can feel imprecise, but they are occasional rather than constant frustrations.
Exploration and collectables are a major highlight, though. Cloud, moon, comet, and star coins are tucked throughout levels, often behind tricky platforming challenges. Collecting the letters C-O-M-E-T works much like the K-O-N-G letters in Donkey Kong Country, adding an extra challenge for completionists. Optional bonus rooms hide additional rewards, and collecting every cloud coin unlocks a final challenge zone, a nod to the Special Area in Super Mario World. Placement of these items feels thoughtful, giving a real sense of discovery without ever seeming random.
In each biome, there’s a shop level called Lamp’s Shade, run by a friendly moth character. Players can trade star coins for action figures of in-game characters and enemies, which can be unboxed and displayed interactively. Other optional collectables include vinyl records of all 40 soundtrack pieces, small arcade games, and purchasable hints to track down missed items. These extras add personality and replay value without being essential to core progression
As I mentioned at the start, platformers are not my forte. That said, I can usually enjoy a game that balances challenge with fairness. However, Windswept’s difficulty curve is inconsistent. The first half feels approachable and rewarding, but later levels ramp up sharply, often demanding mastery of advanced techniques that are not clearly introduced beforehand. For someone like me, that jump can be frustrating, turning “challenging in a fun way” into “almost punishing”.
To help, the game includes a robust Assist Mode. Players can enable invincibility, add extra checkpoints, or even skip levels. There are also modifiers to increase difficulty for those chasing a tougher challenge. These tools make the game more accessible, but victories can feel less satisfying when assists are necessary rather than optional.
Despite this, the game shines for players who enjoy mastering precise movement and chasing perfect runs. Its level design and mechanics reward practice and optimisation, making it particularly appealing to speedrunners. For others, the late-game difficulty spike can overshadow what is otherwise a fun and welcoming platforming experience.
