[Review] Wings of Endless for PlayStation 5

Life’s funny sometimes, right? So, I got my hands on this game, Wings of Endless—I mean, isn’t that just a killer name? Anyway, Hariku, the main guy, is this cocky bounty hunter, and let me tell you, confidence is his middle name. So, there he is, doing his usual thing, when bam, everything flips on its head. Adventures, mysteries, ancient wars—like, who even expects all that on a Tuesday, right? And there’s this owl, Owly. Why owls? But I digress.

Jumping into the game, you find yourself hurled into danger almost instantly. No instructions, just go figure it out—thanks, game. Anyway, the combat’s wild, like you’re learning to dance with danger. You’re busting monsters left and right, leveling up, feeling tough. All of a sudden, you get wings. Yeah, wings. And suddenly everything makes sense, sort of. The wings open up a whole new layer to how you move, not to mention, it feels kinda epic.

Now, the levels—let’s talk about those. Metroidvania style, so think: get lost, find stuff, loop around. Sounds cool, right? But, sometimes you’re just like, “Where am I even going?” The vertical rooms? Those kinda make you feel like someone’s playing a prank. You jump, hoping for ground, and bam, nothing. Or maybe spikes. Fun times. Seriously though, remember Shantae and the Seven Sirens? That game had better ideas for that sort of nonsense.

Maps! Oh boy, you’d think they’d throw you a bone, right? Well, kinda. There’s a map, but it’s the pause-on-pause-off type, which feels like someone hitting the brakes just as you’re getting your groove on. A little map on-screen would’ve been sweet. But no such luck.

Things really dial up the irritation in chapter two. Tight spaces and jump mechanics that seem to hate you. Honestly, it’s like whoever built these levels was in a mood. Thorny ceilings? Flamethrowers? Like, come on. It’s less exploration and more, “Why is this happening to me?” Every leap feels like a gamble. Sometimes, you’re winning though—design-wise, not lottery-wise.

Oh, and there’s this skill tree thing. Everybody shares, which sounds nice until you realize it’s like sharing candy with kids—you can’t please everyone. Pick your path: strength, magic, or agility. You start crafting a character that’s almost good enough to deal with whatever surprises the game’s got lined up next.

The visuals, though, won me over. It’s all pixel art perfection, seriously bringing back the nostalgia feels. Everything’s alive—the backgrounds, the tiny flickering details. But, and here’s the rub, sometimes those details are just too alive. When you’re busy trying not to die in combat, you don’t need a thousand animations doing a disco in the backdrop. You just end up squinting, trying to figure out what’s an enemy and what’s just background noise.

Can’t forget the controller vibrations. They tossed DualSense vibes in there, but it didn’t really hit the sweet spot. More like a PS4 rumble that never learns subtlety. Jump, buzz; fight, buzz; everything, buzz. Like, I get it, I’m playing. Less would’ve definitely been more there.

And trophies! If you’re into collecting, there’s plenty to aim for—story milestones, side missions, the works. Keeps you busy, I guess. Oh, by the way, it’s a Cross-Buy. So you get it on PS4, you got it on PS5. Two for one, folks!

To sum it all up, Wings of Endless walks on the idea of blending old-school charm with new quirks. Some things work gorgeously, like the art and pace, but others—not so much. Hey, for $12.49, getting both versions isn’t too shabby. It’s an experience, albeit with its bumps.

Anyway, I’d say try it if you’re curious, or you just like owls and ancient wars. Games, man. They never stop surprising.