Listen to the Wind

If you enjoy side scrolling hack and slash games then you are going to love Listen to the Wind. Designed as though it were a flash game from the mid 2000’s, this game offers players an interesting combat game where you must make the best use of things like timing and parrying to best your dangerous opponents.

Gameplay

The gameplay here is very reminiscent of a 2D Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or maybe even Bloodborne. Combat is intriguing and attacks can happen in flash, leaving you the option to parry and counterattack as your main way of damaging enemies. A lot of tense moments in this game as you wait for them to attack first. There are also consumables in the form of throwing knives and some healing items like wine which can be found along the way.

There is also a delightful cooking system that lets you feel the charm of some traditional Chinese foods. Encountering vast ingredients, you can really switch things up and learn a little more about the culture.

There is a lot about this game that requires focus and attention. So, if you like a title that can engross you and keep you glued to the screen then you are probably going to enjoy this one.

Story

During the Ming Dynasty Jaijing Era, Japanese pirates managed to attack the south-east coast and were slowly invading further in land. You take control of the main character, a warrior who has lived in the mountains for man years. You decide to take the fight to the pirates and see if there is more to this invasion than you initially expected.

As the story progresses, you will encounter historical figures of legend and carve out a place in history for yourself. How will this story turn out? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several branching progression options for you in this game. It may not be as simple and straightforward a story as you might think.

Visuals

The visuals in this title are absolutely stunning. Done in a traditional ink painting style, I was regularly blown away by how good everything looked. Not just the narrative moments, but even the character designs are like paintings come to life. Its very unique and something I found myself wanting to see more and more of.

The oil painting cutscenes blew me away with screenshot worthy charm. If you’re looking for a game that tries something new and pushes itself with a different art style, then you are going to have a great time with this.

Pros

• Absolutely stunning visuals
• Great story
• Historically accurate
• Engaging combat system

Cons

• No English Port
• Can become repetitive at times