Zelda: Wind Waker Meets Valheim In Steam Game That’s Basically Free Right Now

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a hard game to live up to, but that hasn’t stopped others from trying. There’s something uniquely compelling about its loop of sailing between islands, even after more robust open-world experiences have become an industry standard. Throw in the survival crafting gameplay loop popularized by games like Valheim, and you might have something especially hard to put down.

Enter Windbound, a Steam game that delivers just that. Like The Wind Waker, Windbound is all about sailing from island to island and conquering the challenges of the land and sea. Rather than the simpler progression system of classic Zelda upgrades, though, Windbound emphasizes resource-gathering and crafting, both for basic survival and for the boat upgrades necessary to expand your seafaring.

Looking For Something To Grab In The Steam Sale?

90% Off Is Quite Attractive

The real hook is the price, at least at the moment. Thanks to the Steam Spring Sale, Windbound is currently 90% off, bringing its cost down from $19.99 to a paltry $1.99. Windbound‘s mixed Steam ratings might be a turn-off in other circumstances, but when it’s less than a cup of coffee, there’s a lot more incentive to give the game a try.

I’m not usually one for survival crafting games, but the hook of Windbound does incorporate the idea in an unusually interesting way. Each island only has so many resources, connecting the gameplay loop naturally with a need for continued exploration. Throw in the gratification of seeing your catamaran expand into a mega-craft laden with outriggers, and you’ve got something more compelling than the upgrades you find in most games.

If You Love Zelda: Wind Waker, Give This A Try

There’s Little To Lose

While Windbound might not perfectly fill that Wind Waker-sized hole in your heart, it could come a lot closer than most alternatives. The cel-shaded art style is another point in favor of the comparison, even if the rippling grass fields almost veer closer to Breath of the Wild than Wind Waker.

As for the mixed review score, most of the complaints center around controls and combat. A lack of key re-binding options has left a lot of players frustrated with the default control scheme, while the consensus on combat is that it’s a little too clunky for comfort.

For those who can tolerate a little jank, though, neither of these elements should be total deal-breakers. If The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker x Valheim sounds good to you, the Steam Spring sale could be the perfect opportunity to find a new favorite.