What if Mario was Duck and Turtle? We go hands-on with the retro-inspired but modern controlling Windswept from Top Hat Studios.
Windswept is a 2D side-scrolling platformer in which we’ve got a little buddy that follows us around. On its face value it looks very much just like a 16-bit era platfomer, but it has a really interesting move set where we need both companions to do certain actions. The demo doesn’t really give an explanation other than run, jump, and hit a combination of those to do things in the couple of stages on hand.
There seem to be A LOT of unique move combos. I could kick the turtle to use it as a weapon if an enemy was behind me. I could also fly with the duck, which is something that you couldn’t do as a turtle. The turtle has a sort of dash. There was even a double jump if we hit the turtle with a kick up. It feels like one of those games where I can keep discovering more powers as I’m playing it, giving different ways to do certain things and go to certain areas.
These classic games aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea, but I think this is one to keep an eye on.
SideQuesting had a chance to go hands-on with the project at PAX East. This video first appeared on The SideQuest LIVE for May 13, 2025.
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