Cozy hot-air ballooning adventure Passing By - A Tailwind Journey set to launch March 12th

Indie developer Studio Windsocke, in partnership with boutique publisher Dear Villagers, are delighted to announce that their cozy and inspired ballooning adventure Passing By - A Tailwind Journey is coming to PC and Switch this March 12th.

Passing By - A Tailwind Journey lets you befriend fellow travelers and quirky islanders, use your wits to solve immersive puzzles, and gather enough resources to continue to where your journey takes you!

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This latest gameplay trailer showcases some of the sights and characters you’ll meet along your airborne excursion. Set in a beautiful and whimsical world of floating isles and a never-ceasing west wind, Passing By - A Tailwind Journey allows you to embark on a memorable voyage as Curly, a young balloonist, who is tasked with delivering a mysterious letter.

In this innovative genre hybrid of 2D puzzle platformer, survival and adventure game, you can explore the world at your own leisure, traveling from island to island by balloon ship and solving various puzzles while having to manage your resources in order to survive. An exciting adventure full of wholesome encounters and meaningful experiences awaits you!

But remember: since the west wind only ever blows in one direction, once you decide to leave an island, this means goodbye for good. Think carefully before you board your balloon ship; are you prepared to make the long trip through the clouds towards an unknown destination?

“With Passing By we wanted to create a cozy adventure that’s low on stakes and high on feelings,” said Ilona Treml, Managing Director of Studio Windsocke. “There’s plenty of room to make choices that alter your path and how the story plays out, yet it’s not an open-world game in the traditional sense, as you’re at the mercy of the west wind. We found that this relaxed, yet fully forward-facing momentum ensures each pitstop and player decision is meaningful and memorable. Feedback for our prototype on itch.io was overwhelmingly positive, and this expanded commercial release truly blossoms into an airborne expedition you’re unlikely to forget!”

Strap yourself in, because the west wind is taking you into the unknown, and it never stops blowing. ..

KEY FEATURES:

  • Explore carefully crafted levels across a large variety of colorful biomes.

  • Meet quirky island inhabitants and make memorable friendships with fellow travelers.

  • Solve each island's unique puzzles and find ancient secrets.

  • Customize your balloon ship to your liking using a wide range of designs and attachments.

  • Discover whimsical details presented in a beautiful 2D low-poly art style.

  • Experience a fully dynamic, atmospheric score.

  • Available in English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese localization.

15. Februar 2024, von Thore Varga