GamesAdventureIsland of Winds is a folkloric adventure where you meet the grim desolation and strange creatures of 17th century Iceland with witchy powers and ‘empathy encounters’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAdventureIsland of Winds is a folkloric adventure where you meet the grim desolation and strange creatures of 17th century Iceland with witchy powers and ‘empathy encounters’When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
In a trailer spot at this year’sPC Gaming Show: Most Wanted, we caught another glimpse ofIsland of Winds, a unique-looking adventure game based on Icelandic folklore and set during the 17th century on the Island—or at least a version of the island.
Image1of4(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)
Image1of4(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)
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(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
(Image credit: Parity Games)
But I don’t think she’s going to be blasting them away, ripping and tearing critters like some kind of Icelandic Doomguy. “The core gameplay involves spellcasting, intriguing puzzles, fantastical lore, and a special focus on approaching encounters with empathy,” according to the developers.
That last bit gets me pretty excited: I flash back to Geralt of Rivia squatting on his hams and trying to reason with a recalcitrant rock troll like he’s a grumpy toddler, as opposed to hunting him for the local peasantry. If Island of Winds can channel a similar sense of surprise and whimsy with its story, I think it’ll be a winner.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the visuals: Island of Winds does a fantastic job evoking the natural beauty of Iceland, with a digital facsimile of that craggy, mossy volcanic landscape that just looks like nowhere else in the world. The Island of Winds is a hard bitten, desolate, lonely place, and just the kind of backdrop I’d want to have as I put restless spirits and fey critters alike at ease with all my boundless empathy.
Island of Winds is set to release some time in 2025, and you can wishlist it onSteam.
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