There’s every chance that you missed Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles when it first launched on Xbox, way back in February 2019. It’s easy to dismiss as a Breath of the Wild clone, for one, and it didn’t have the graphical heft to match other open-world games. Now’s a good time for a reappraisal, as it’s edging closer to actually getting that graphical heft. Today, we’re getting an Xbox Series X|S-optimised version of the game, and it allows the game to sing.
Available on Xbox Series X|S, we’re talking full 4K and a consistent 60fps. There’s also the nice bonus of additional Series X|S accessories for your character.
We played Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles from beginning to end when it first launched, and it’s absolutely worth playing. It’s a more serene, laid back version of Breath of the Wild, but it still packs in the deep crafting systems, vast game world and deep questing. There are plenty of collectibles to find tucked into crannies of the game world, and you even get a few farm areas for you to base-build and customise. It might look slight, but there’s depth here.
It’s also more family friendly than most other open world games. Should you have a younger explorer in the family, Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicle is the ideal gateway to this kind of game.
We fell under Yonder’s spell when it first launched, and gave it an extremely impressive 4.5/5 in review. That was without the injection of 4K and 60fps, so it might be a good time to stop sleeping on this unsung gem and give it a go.
Unfortunately, this comes to market as a separate purchase from the previous Xbox One drop, so there’s no free next-gen upgrade for those who have previously purchased the game. Come on Merge Games, sort it out.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles has been optimised for Xbox Series X|S and starts at £24.99 from the Xbox Store. It’s also out on the PC and PS5.
Game Description:
Unwind and enjoy the slow life in Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, a relaxing open-world adventure game. Yonder is set in the world of Gemea. A natural island paradise with eight distinct environments ranging from tropical beaches to snow-capped summits. But Gemea is not as perfect as it seems. The mysterious Murk has taken hold of the land! As the hero of Gemea, you can seek out the hidden and whimsical creatures known as Sprites. Use their power to clear the Murk and restore nature’s beauty. As you explore Gemea, you can barter with friendly locals, discover unique materials to craft with, befriend the adorable wildlife and even create your own working farm. Yonder offers a world to lose yourself in; a world filled with the wonder of discovery and the spirit of adventure.
