LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias

Arrives on US WiiWare on October 19th having secured 90%+ scores aplenty.

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Oct. 16, 2009

16th October 2009, Cambridge, UK. Frontier Developments Ltd. (‘Frontier’) today announced that LostWinds®: Winter of the Melodias will be released on Monday 19th October 2009 by Nintendo of America on the innovative WiiWare™ service.

David Braben, Frontier’s Chairman and Founder, said: “The original LostWinds was embraced by the US, and the sequel has major new gameplay features and improvements across the board. After the incredible reception in Europe for Winter of the Melodias, we’re excited to see what the American reaction will be.”

The eagerly awaited follow-up to last year’s best selling, award-winning WiiWare launch title has received high praise across the board in Europe including:

IGN UK 91% “With satisfyingly challenging puzzles expertly woven between engaging platforming and a thoroughly charming narrative, Winter of the Melodias represents an essential purchase. It's not simply the best WiiWare title on the market, but one of the best Wii™ games full stop”.

Eurogamer 90% “If this is the kind of thing WiiWare can do, let's have some more of it, frankly.”

Vandal Online 93% “LostWinds was probably one of the most attractive and interesting games on the Wii (not only WiiWare), and Winter of Melodias completely surpasses it.”

zConnect 96% “Even if you’ve never played the first game, make sure to pick up this wondrous little gem.”

Videogamer 90% “the game's overall aesthetic is so powerful that Winter of the Melodias might well be one of the most beautiful games ever created.”

Once again puts the power of the wind in the palm of your hand, as you experience Toku and Enril’s new adventure to save Toku’s mother, lift an ancient curse and thwart the evil Balasar. The elemental powers of Enril the Wind Spirit are used to protect and guide the young boy Toku - power his jumps and glides, suspend and smash new enemies, and explore all-new expanses of the stunningly presented, magical land of Mistralis.

Players can instantly transform Mistralis between Summer and Winter, harnessing the brilliance of nature: frozen Winter ponds and waterfalls become deep, teeming Summer pools and chambers in which to dive and unlock secrets, enemies can be frozen or doused, and the very air itself used to form snowballs or moisture-laden clouds. Other amazing new abilities include the cyclone, which can be used to transport Toku, smash powerful enemies and even drill through the rock of Mistralis’ diverse, richly interactive Chilling Peaks and Melodia City areas.

With production values to match the very best Wii disc titles, LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias will be available to download directly to the living rooms of millions of families in the Americas exclusively via Nintendo’s WiiWare service.

Pricing: 1000 Wii™ Points. WiiWare is accessible through Wii.

See http://lostwinds.frontier.co.uk for more details including latest video footage, screenshots and exclusive content.

Media Enquires and review code requests to: Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR

E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk M: +44 (0) 7966 449130 T: +44 (0) 1608 645756

About Frontier

Frontier are the developers behind RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3, which was a USA #1 game and is part of the second biggest selling PC game franchise of all time, and Thrillville™, which was the USA’s #1 original kids game in 2006, as well as LostWinds® which was a best-selling WiiWare launch title in 2008 in both Europe and The Americas and was awarded that year’s ‘Best New IP’ award at the Develop Games Industry Excellence Awards.

Nintendo trademarks used under license. WiiWare is available only through the Wii console.

All other trademarks and copyright are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners

The Events of LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias

Little time has passed since the events which unfolded between Toku, Enril, Deo and Magmok in “LostWinds”.

Notéa's sudden return from an expedition brings with it saddening news. Whilst searching for the ruins of the Melodia City Toku's mother, Magdi, has mysteriously disappeared. The only clues to her whereabouts lie within the tattered remains of her treasured journal.

As repayment for saving his life, the ancient Guardian Magmok pledges his assistance to Toku and Enril as they head up into the mountains in search of Magdi.

Toku and Enril arrive at Summerfalls Village, a picturesque location that has been beset by an eternal winter. Even more worryingly, its people now live in fear of ferocious monsters who hide in the snow.

Fearing the worst, and with the chilling cold taking its toll, Toku and Enril seek the help of Sonté the Spirit of Seasons. Sonté's season changing powers will provide the key to unravelling the plight of Summerfalls, and Toku and Enril come to realize that Magdi’s immediate fate has been entwined with that of the ancient Melodia people centuries ago by the shadowy hand of Balasar.

As events continue to take unexpected turns Toku and Enril venture onward. wielding their new powers with care and in the face of potentially fatal dilemmas, Toku and Enril are plunged into a race against time to save not only the life of Toku's mother but also the future of Mistralis...