Summary
Windblownis a Roguelike game by Motion Twin, the same developers as the renownedDead Cells. It featuresplenty of different weaponsto come across on each run, along with many Gifts, Boosts, and materials for Upgrades. This means that players can learn and take a lot from the developer’s previous game for this one.
Players will control a characterknown as a Leaper, and each Leaper comes with their own unique appearance. Different Leapers only lend to the aesthetics of the game, and do not provide any special abilities or passive buffs tocore elements of the game. As such, each Leaper design is purely cosmetic and can be freely switched out by players to suit their preferred look.
7Axolotl
The Face Of The Game
TheAxolotlis one of the first Leapers seen following the game’s reveal trailer. The design of the Axolotl differs a lot from that of the one used in the animated trailers, especially around the eyes. This Leaper design draws a lot of inspiration from a punk rock aesthetic—with dark eyeliner and piercings—but it also has some pirate-style influences.
A lot of players might think that the limbs growing from the head of the character might be some form of tentacle, but as many axolotl enthusiasts will already know, these are actually external gills. All the characters bear a hyper-stylised design that adds tothe feel of the game, but the pink skin of the Axolotl really pops against the use of blue in the game environment.
6Basilisk
Simple Yet Stylish
The design used for theBasiliskis much softer and easier to digest. The character has more feminine features, with a skin color that blends into the base colors of the character’s clothing. Leapers tend to have primary and secondary colors, and the Basilisk’s design is one that many players can resonate with for its simplicity.
Despite this, looking more in-depth will show that this character has some asymmetry to it, with a mantle that slopes only on one side, a satchel in the front, and flaps on either side of their pants. This makes it both a simple design, but one that still displays a good sense of fashion.
5Bat
Playing Into Bat Tropes
TheBatshares a similar edgy punk look with the Axolotl, in that it features plenty of piercings—with three rings piercing its right ear from the side, and one at the bottom of its left ear. This Leaper design also features a large bulky scarf around its neck and an orange band on one of its legs.
One of the most noteworthy elements of this design is its large circular glasses. This plays into a common trope—and misconception—that bats are blind. These glasses give the design a lot of character and help it to stand out among all the others with a humorous little nod to its animal inspiration.
4Intern
Early Adopters Incentive
TheInternis one of the only Leaper design options that does not have a name based on a type of animal. However, it does bear some resemblance to a chameleon. The design features two branching parts from the back of the head, and two large eyes that are sticking out of the head and seemingly looking in different directions.
This character design is based on the merchants found inthe developer’s previous game,Dead Cells, and is a very fitting choice for players who have been long-time fans of Motion Twin and are awaiting the studio’s follow-up project. TheDead Cellsmerchants have much longer horn-like extremities, and their eyes do not stick out like those of the Intern. The Intern has a bandanna over its mouth, a rope for a belt, and pants that puff out near the bottom.
3Pangolin
The Big Guy
While size does not matter at all inWindblown, thePangolindoes look a lot more physically well-built than other Leaper designs. Every game should have a big guy for those who want to play a character who resembles more of a bruiser.
This design won’t make players hit any harder, but it can offer players the same sense of satisfaction of being the musclein a group of friends—especially when their build is focused on a heavy melee playstyle. The Pangolin wears a large jumpsuit with a dark pink harness on top.
2Guinea Pig
The Demo Exclusive
TheGuinea Pigis one ofWindblown’scurrently unobtainable designs. Players who played the game in its demo stages will be able to change their design to this adorable rodent while at the Ark. The design is that of a wastelander, with spiked hair and an eyepatch on its left eye.
The Guinea Pig looks ready for anything and is very fitting to the stigma associated with its name. Guinea pig is a term that means “test subject” and is a perfect reward for those players who helped play the game close to its Early Access release. The demo is sadly no longer available, making this design unobtainable in the game’s current state.
1Project 2501
The Secret Design
This is the only unlockable design currently available inWindblown, and players willneed to have progressed their in-game skillsto be able to take on every challenge needed to acquire it. Players will die a lot in the process of unlockingProject 2501, as is expected from a Roguelike game. However, those who make it all the way to the end of the game will be rewarded with a new design they can switch to. Project 2501 looks like a deep sea squid, complete with bioluminescence and tentacles extending from its head.
It has a battered and bruised face, most likely inspired by all the attempted runs players will have gone through on the road to unlocking it. Its clothing displays the most pirate influence of any other Leaper design, with a crop top, billowing trousers, and various rings on both its wrists. This design is perfect for aloot-driven Roguelikethat is all about smashing and grabbing.
