Windjammers PlayStation 4 Review: You Won’t Get Disc-Couraged
It’s funny how we’re seeing a renaissance of Neo-Geo games on new consoles as of late. The [...]
An Old-School Jam
The graphics still look like something out of the vintage Neo-Geo era, so don't expect a hi-res makeover like The Dragon's Trap got. That said, the top-down perspective works wonderfully for it, as you can see all the action that's happening. It's also a nice touch to see the disc fly in and out of the screen as it's deflected, adding a layer of depth to an otherwise 2D perspective type of game.
The audio's not much either, but there's fun background music here, and the announcements are pretty spot-on. We wouldn't blame you if you prefer to blare some "battle music" in the background tho.
Where Windjammers really stands out is its gameplay. This game is pretty damn old, but the fact is it feels fresher than ever, thanks to its brilliant battle tactics and building challenges. Even if you think you've gotten the hang of the basics, you'll get introduced to a player or two that mean serious business and will have you rethinking a few strategies in an effort to get better. That's the thing about the game – it'll seem frustrating at first, but then it suddenly clicks and you feel like you can master anything that gets thrown at you. And even then, you'll be pushed to try even harder.
The game's arcade mode is just a portion of the fun, though. Windjammers also offers ample multiplayer options. Your best bet is local, since playing against a friend is a ton of fun, and you can literally taunt one another as you score goals and eventually build up your skills.
prevnextA Frisbee Game With Strength
There's also online multiplayer, but it's spotty. Some matches we played were smooth, but others were a bit janky and actually led to a disconnect. We understand DotEmu is trying to work more on this – especially when it comes to building up the competitive side of the game, esports wise – but we hope it gets patched soon. This is something that deserves the best servers money can buy.
While Windjammers has a steep learning curve and spotty online play, it still clicks in a fun old-school way. The gameplay is surprisingly deep for a Neo-Geo game, and has a lot to offer if you're willing to learn. The presentation is retro-ized in the best way possible, and the local multiplayer is a trip. And, on top of that, it's fun to take both with you and on the go, as the game supports Cross-Buy. And we could always use more Vita games.
I encourage players to check this game out, even if it doesn't quite top their list when it comes to competitive efforts. After all, no harm in trying something new, right? Or old, rather. The Neo-Geo lives!
RATING: Four out of five stars.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher.
prevnext