LostWinds Loses Points For Seemingly Incomplete Retina iPad Update
April 13, 2012
LostWinds is one of the most beautiful games to ever grace the screens of iOS devices. Released in December 2011, this wind power-harnessing platformer prided itself on graphics that were nothing but gorgeous on the Retina display on an iPhone 4/4S and even on a non-Retina iPhone and iPad. Last February, it was featured by Apple in its list of essential iOS platformers, a list where it rightfully belonged. And today, LostWinds is set to reinforce its reputation with the release of an update that upgrades its graphics for the new iPad's Retina display. About time, seeing as it's been over a month since the new iPad, along with its "resolutionary" screen, was announced. At long last, one of the most gorgeous iOS games has been optimized for the new iPad's Retina display. Or has it?
The latest update of LostWinds purports to make the new iPad run at full resolution. But after installing the update and giving the game a whirl, its support for the new iPad's Retina display doesn't seem ... full. Although the graphics of the game proper are considerably improved, they could still use perhaps another round of sharpening. Outside the game itself, the load screens, cut-scenes, and text blocks, among others, come off noticeably blurry. These oversights push me into thinking that the update was not fully thought through, which is rather unfortunate for something I was predisposed to like.
The update also brings improvements to the game's multi-touch and D-Pad controls, photo-mode interface, and overall performance. Install the (incomplete) update for free or download LostWinds in the App Store for $3.99.
