For gamers who grew up on a diet of collect-a-thons and challenging 2D platformers, a new indie gem has just landed on consoles and PC that’s ready to steal your heart: Windswept. Developed by WeatherFell and published by Top Hat Studios, this game is a sincere love letter to the ’90s classics that we spent hours mastering.

But don’t let the adorable pixel art fool you—while it’s charming, the journey home for its heroes is anything but a walk in the park!

An Unlikely Duo: Marbles & Checkers

At the heart of Windswept‘s adventure are Marbles the Duck and Checkers the Turtle. This feather-shelled, tag-team duo finds themselves stranded far from home after a massive storm sweeps them away. To navigate the over 40 hand-crafted stages, you’ll need to master their unique buddy-platforming mechanic.

• Marbles (the Duck) offers quick movement and a flutter ability for better air control.
• Checkers (the Turtle) provides a more grounded, powerful spin attack and other specialised skills.

You can swap your leader at any time! Figuring out the best sequence of jumps, spins, and flutters between the two is the key to conquering the game’s various challenges. Think of it as a creative puzzle built into a precision platformer.

A Collect-A-Thon for a New Generation

Windswept fully embraces the “collect-a-thon” spirit. Across five uniquely themed regions, you’ll be constantly on the lookout for hidden secrets:

• Star Coins: Act as currency and stage guides.
• C-O-M-E-T Coins: Collecting all five in a stage unlocks the special Moon Coin challenge, usually a timed bonus warp to a tricky mini-game.
• Rideable Animal Friends: Much like the classics it’s inspired by, you’ll encounter friendly critters like dolphins and “licky-lizards” that grant new, temporary abilities to traverse specific parts of a level.

The game prides itself on its “old-school” approach: all abilities are taught in the first stage, and after that, there are no waypoints or tutorials. It’s just you, your skill, and a beautifully designed world waiting to be explored (and potentially re-explored to find every last hidden item!).

The Challenge is Part of the Charm

For the truly dedicated, Windswept offers a challenge that echoes the high difficulty of its inspirations, like the Donkey Kong Country series. The game is designed for players to keep trying, learning through persistence, and eventually experiencing the pure satisfaction of mastering a difficult sequence.

However, the developers have also included accessibility options, ensuring that players who want to focus on the charming story and world-building can still progress. It’s a game for everyone, whether you’re a platforming veteran hunting for a true test or a casual player looking for a cosy adventure.

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Windswept is a refreshing blend of nostalgic design, clever mechanics, and genuine charm. If you’ve been searching for a modern 2D platformer that truly respects the genre’s golden age, it’s time to help Marbles and Checkers find their way home!

Windswept is available now on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One/Series X|S.

Windswept on Steam – https://shorturl.at/OoKR1

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