Winds of Change LadiesGamers

Winds of Change Review

Game: Winds of Change
Genre: Adventure, Visual Novel, Role-Playing
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam)
Developers | Publishers: Klace | CrunchingKoalas
Age Rating: US Teen | EU 12+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: June 3rd, 2021

Review code used, with many thanks to CrunchingKoalas

Winds of Change is a story-heavy adventure game with multiple endings, romance options, and non-linear storytelling. Originally a Kickstarter campaign in 2017, and then released on Steam in 2019. The developer Klace has said that the Nintendo Switch version of the game is the definitive version, so let’s take a look at it and see what it is all about.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
Talking to Valessa

Fantasy World of Alestia

Winds of Change takes place in the fantasy world of Alestia, where all characters are anthropomorphic animals, fantasy creatures with humanoid bodies, or in simpler terms, furries!

While I don’t want to talk too much about the story, as I don’t want to give it away and ruin it, I will tell you a little of it. The story is centred around a conflict between two factions The Triumvirate, a mysterious organisation that rules over Alestia, and The Rebellion, a faction born out of resistance to The Triumvirate’s often tyrannical ways, the tipping point being the brutal and violent occupation of the harbour nation, Mazeo.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
Book of Lore

Seer or Seeress?

The protagonist (that will be you) is born with a special ability to see the future and therefore labelled as a Seer. Their country, Valinorth, is secluded from the rest of the land and is the only one who still believes in the spirit realm and the spirit idols.

It is from these spirit idols that the Seer received their ability and it’s a vision of Valinorth being attacked by the Triumvirate that sees you thrust into the conflict. You will eventually take possession of The Blade of Exodus and learn to use the magic sword.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
one of the game’s maps

Choices to Make

The game gives you the option of choosing between being a male or a female character, you can even enter in a name to go by, so you’re either a Seer or a Seeress depending on which you chose. This primarily affects the pronouns used in talking to you and little else.

You never see your physical character or characteristics, and later you get to choose between a formal suit and a fancy dress regardless of your previous choice. The Seer also has a Scribe, which is their assistant in interpreting visions. These roles introduce the Seers’ childhood friends, Valessa a Scribe and Fortaime a Scribe-in-training.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
Mylus

Mix of Genres

Winds of Change plays like a visual novel, with point-and-click elements to it as well. There are several areas where you are free to explore your surroundings. you can click on background objects to get your own thoughts, or occasionally have one or more party members chime in.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
Uh oh, are these furries up to no good?

You’ll be able to find and pick up books explaining the lore of the world you’re in. Within each area, you visit there are conversations to be had between party members and those you visit. Side stories called parallel stories in other parts of the realm to keep you up to date on what the villains are doing and such.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
which answer to chose

Chat and Romance

During these explorations, there are also options to socialise with other members of your party. Since you are the Seer, everyone looks to you for answers and help. So your choices can change the narrative at crucial points. It does give you the option of how to approach a situation with the person you are talking to as you usually have a few different answers to choose from.

Would you rather be reserved, or maybe decide you want to try and be romantic with them? There are multiple options and there’s always a neutral option that allows the main story to continue. These decisions will often be represented with an icon that indicates the mood of the response. From happy, flirty, aggressive, playful, sad, and neutral. Romance options are available but expressed in muted tones. If anything, the overall tone and plot of the game are far heavier, dealing with morality, death, and cultural identity.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
furries

Visuals and Controls

Visually the game looks great with its hand-drawn cartoonish style. The storyboard presentation is fine and the characters change their expressions and show their emotions well. Voice acting is strong, you can hear the emotion in the actors’ voice which I liked. Characters in the game are cute and furry, though a lot of their drawn animations and how they react looked the same to me.

On the Nintendo Switch, the game performed fine, as did the controls. You are only using the joy-sticks and a few button presses so not much for it to go wrong.

Winds of Change LadiesGamers
more choices to make

Conclusion

Winds of Change is a lengthy visual novel with hours upon hours of playtime. At times I did feel that it was maybe a bit too long, though I think that will depend on how well you gel with the storyline. While the story is enjoyable and quite interesting, I felt that too much time is spent on managing minor friendships in the game, which feels like a filler to me.

If adventure, visual novels with furries are your jam, then you will more than likely find what you are looking for in Winds of Change. 

Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot  I like it a lot

One comment

  1. I love visual novels that aren’t just skip all the dialogue for every possible outcome. I love reading and enjoying the story, this definitely has me interested.

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