- JP release: 23rd September 1999
- NA release: 30th September 1999
- PAL release: 7th July 2000
- Developer: Omega Force
- Publisher: Koei (JP/NA), Virgin (PAL)
- N64 Magazine Score: 83%
When you play a third person shooter these days, you expect there to be a cover button – one that “attaches” you to a wall so you can pop out to shoot an enemy, and pop back into cover to evade bullets and reload. However, when WinBack came out (with slightly different names depending on region), this was a completely new concept. It’s a little bit clunky, but for the time, it worked extremely well.
The problem WinBack has, is that the novelty of the cover system was the main interesting thing about the game, so as it became a “standard” thing in games, there’s not a great deal else going for it. Which is a shame.
WinBack has you taking control of a building that has been overrun by terrorists. It controls a powerful space laser, and you must get it back before it fires again. The plot is fine with some good twists, but the game struggles with coming up with reasons for your squad to split up (as there’s no friendly AI in the game, so you only meet up in cutscenes).
About half way through, the main character (Jean-Luc) is deep in thought for a moment when the rest head off, and it takes the rest of the game to catch up, shooting through waves of enemies and solving puzzles (by hitting switches) that the rest of your squad seemingly had no access to – perhaps they have the ability to climb over small objects.
The level design is also just grey. There’s nothing interesting to look at throughout the game, just warehouse-like buildings. You’ll go back and forth through the same sections in different levels, and some different sections are nearly identical to previous areas. WinBack doesn’t really have much of its own identity, other than silly bosses that crop up.
WinBack was originally great because of its gameplay, as it provided a unique way of shooting. It should definitely be remembered for this concept, and it still plays absolutely fine, but it’s just a bit boring.
Fun
It’s just like being in the middle of a Holywood gunfight. Not that any of us have actually been in one, but WinBack certainly brought back memories of Butch and Sundance’s last stand, the end of High Plains Drifter and a few great episodes of 21 Jump Street.
Martin Kitts, N64 Magazine #41
Remake or remaster?
WinBack got a remaster on PS2. It got criticised for terrible voice acting (the original had none) and for graphics that were a bit jarring – a strange mix of higher detailed models and stuff that was clearly from the N64. An updated release that adds a few graphical effects, control options and the like would be nice.
Official ways to get the game.
There is no way to buy a new copy of WinBack, the only official way to play is to rent it via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pak.
Europe
Japan
North America
N64 Games by Date
1997: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
1998: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
1999: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2000: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
When N64 NSO launched and everyone laughed that this was one of the launch games, it was the first one I played. I was impressed. Simple by today’s standards but I like the duck and cover shoot mechanic. I had no interest during the N64 days but playing it now was fun.
So bizzare that Winback of all games ended up being a launch title for the Switch NSO service.
Also, this is an Omega Force game? Really!?
The variety of games that OF put out prior to hitting it big with Dynasty Warriors 2 (not the first one… which, believe it or not, is actually a traditional 1v1 3D fighting game!) is pretty remarkable. I guess they mirror From Software in that regard; having an eclectic past before finally finding a single winning formula and milking it to absolute death.
I played through that on NSO some time ago, one issue that bugs me after playing GoldenEye is that the fire button is on A. I mean come on the Z trigger is right there for that very purpose.