Oh, and Windbound is awesome! Man, the sense of adventure and exploration are just incredible. I won't spoil things, but I'd recommend it to anyone with one *big* caveat. You absolutely, unequivocally, without the slightest reservations MUST be PATIENT as a gamer. I understand why it got such mixed reviews, especially in this day and age. I'm not saying it has no other rough edges or quirks. It does and it's from a small team. However, the sense of wanderlust and mood are a particularly unique flavor that I'm not sure I've ever experienced in another game in this exact way.
But, there are many long stretches where you'll just be out in the open ocean looking for new islands or various other places. You'll be moving at what can sometimes feel like a snail's pace over the wide open spaces. For *me*, it facilitates the sensation of a grand adventure, vast in scope and consequence. But in this quick-camera-cut, hyper-stimulation, look-at-your-phone-every-10-seconds world, it's surely a *much* different pace and vibe. And this is particularly true on survivalist mode where dying sends you all the way back to the beginning of chapter 1 and only to hold onto a handful of items and any "blessings" you've acquired. (which are very useful, to be fair) I was well into chapter 3 (of 5, it seems) and got killed and it was time to begin yet again. I've had to go back to the beginning probably 5 or six times. I'm currently in chapter 4 and have learned to take things with much greater foresight and caution though. But I'm anticipating another death. I almost died at the boss between chapter 3 and 4, and was so relieved to make it through.
I've already put 20+ hours into it, and am thinking about it when not playing - always a good sign. Anyway, I'm not sure who, if anyone here, would enjoy it like I do, but if it clicks for you, you'll be grateful you gave it a try. I have tons more to say about it, but I'll probably wait until my 2024 reviews.
Phase - don't play it. (I know you briefly sampled it.)
Girl protagonist - yes.
Mute protagonist, also yes. Slow and plodding - you have no idea and your brain would melt. Challenging and not too much hand holding - yep.
Here me now - stay away. Or play it and tell us how much you hate it!
