During the latest Nintendo Indie World Showcase, Winds of Viridia caught my eye with its whimsical charm, fast-paced action and platforming. A demo landed on the Nintendo eShop shortly after the presentation, and what I experienced blew me away, leaving me eager for the full release next year.
A Breath of Fresh Air
With little fanfare and barely any story to speak of, my adventure began inside an enormous cave. And what a gorgeous cave it was! The main character has a hand-drawn, cel-shaded appearance that contrasts beautifully with the more realistic surroundings.
Stepping outside gave me that Breath of the Wild feeling. Perched on a rock, I gazed towards a towering tree while a dragon soared in the distance. The world seemed to branch out before me, and I couldn’t wait to explore.
Movement felt responsive as I leapt between platforms, although it wasn’t long before the local wildlife decided to ruin my sightseeing.
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Dodge, Roll and Pray
Combat is fast, fluid and surprisingly challenging. There’s a Soulslike flavour to dodging, rolling and finding an opening to attack, especially when enemies can send you packing in just a few hits.
One particularly unpleasant creature attacked with an enormous tongue. I barely had time to dodge its sloppy advances! Thankfully, health pickups were scattered around, and I found a Wildling’s Gourd that restored health at the press of a button.
I also had some help from my adorable companion, Mothbug. This little fella provides a handy ranged attack during combat, while also helping open doors and collect items. Also, totems allow you to upgrade abilities, offering some character customisation.
Then came the boss, and boy did things get serious!
I was taken aback by the difficulty spike as I struggled to learn its chaotic attacks. Halfway through, rocks began raining from the ceiling, leaving me dodging debris and relentless blows.
My frustration grew with every attempt, bringing back that old-school urge to throw my controller across the room. Thankfully, I persevered, and finally defeating the beast was incredibly satisfying!
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Wherever the Wind Takes Me
While Winds of Viridia doesn’t seem like a fully open-world adventure, there’s certainly plenty to discover. Without maps or quest markers guiding the way, I was left to explore and find my own path forward.
The gentle music and ambient sounds created a relaxing atmosphere, providing a lovely contrast to the intense combat. Along the way, I encountered NPCs and discovered camps where I could recharge before continuing my journey.
There’s something exciting about stepping into a beautiful world and not knowing what’s around the next corner. Winds of Viridia really captured that feeling, and I can’t wait to get swept away when it arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 next year.
You can grab the free demo now on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam.
