Where Winds Meet is Unlike Anything You’ve Ever Seen

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Over the last few years, projects originating from China have seen nothing but upward progress, partly fueled by initiatives such as the China Hero project and the phenomenal success of Game Science’s “Black Myth: Wukong,” which sold over 40 million copies. “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” may have had some issues with performance, but it’s still a significant title that adds some fresh updates to the classic Souls-like gameplay formula. Meanwhile, “Phantom Blade Zero” appears to be the next big thing, but another game is generating buzz lately – Everstone’s “Where Winds Meet.

Created by Everstone Studio and distributed by NetEase Games, this is a free-to-play role-playing game with action elements set in an open world, based on the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. During this time, North China experienced numerous short-lived reigns, each replacing the other swiftly, while the south was dominated by ten kingdoms that generally coexisted. The economy flourished, and art experienced many advancements during this period; however, it was also an age marked by cruelty, as officials often subjected civilians to torture and even execution without proper legal proceedings.

Amidst the chaos, you find yourself playing as Jiang Yan, a sword master in hiding. The closed beta starts off with Chen Zixi and Yushan encountering the protagonist, initially appearing to be set on his death, but eventually joining forces instead. The adventure is anything but dull as enemies swiftly assault the duo, aiming to reclaim the Zhenguan Jade. As the story unfolds, you’ll dodge enemy attacks on horseback, taking them down with precise bow and arrow shots. The climax of this thrilling journey involves a challenging boss battle against the Formless.

Following a sequence of intriguing incidents (such as sightings of an enigmatic figure with white hair and a panther), players have the opportunity to design their unique character, featuring a variety of initial abilities or Aspiration Talents. This marks the beginning of their adventure through this stunning world, commencing in the cozy Qinghe. Let it be known, Where Winds Meet provides a vast array of environments to discover, brimming with diverse activities and quests.

While the ambiance and settings in “Ghost of Tsushima” might be reminiscent, the overarching theme that saturates every element in “Where Winds Meet” is deeply rooted in Wuxia. The veneration of martial arts is central, and the storyline often dances on the edge of reality and the extraordinary. Characters, including the player character, display superhuman abilities such as swiftly climbing buildings, leaping through the air, and effortlessly handling multiple adversaries at once. This may seem familiar to those who have enjoyed classics like “Hero.

In addition to Mystic Arts such as Still Waters that momentarily freeze everything for a better aim while using a bow, there’s also Tai Chi, which can be employed to disrupt an opponent’s momentum and send them tumbling. The player acquires various Mystic Arts through the skill of Comprehension. To learn Tai Chi, you observe a frantic bear attempting to collect honey and mimic its movements before ultimately subduing it. The combat in this game is reminiscent of action-adventure classics, featuring precise dodges that leave trails, deflections creating openings for powerful retaliations, and stylish final blows. Unlike the more measured pace of Ghost of Tsushima, this game maintains a faster tempo to align with its Wuxia theme.

In a striking departure from the norm, the game Where Winds Meet excels in its portrayal of Wuxia elements for both narrative and gameplay. Imagine it as a unique adaptation of the classic hero’s journey, where the protagonist isn’t initially burdened with a tragic past but rather raised without a clear sense of purpose. The player can choose to embark on an adventure that will solidify their legend by engaging with various factions, accepting quests, and mastering diverse weapons and skills. Alternatively, they could opt for a more antagonistic route, potentially landing in prison due to their actions. Given the harshness of the era, you might find yourself challenging authority figures more frequently than not. However, Everstone aims to provide multiple avenues through the story, allowing for options like healing enemies and turning them into allies or resolving conflicts through diplomacy.

As you advance and gain Talent Points, you’ll unveil fresh abilities and Mystic Arts, such as enhancing your sword to inflict higher HP damage on charged and heavy attacks (the extra touch causing slashing projectiles). You’ll also have the opportunity to unlock additional slots for equipping multiple Mystic Arts and boost stats like your Critical Damage Bonus. There are new items to acquire too, which will amplify your prowess, although the different in-game currencies, resources, and materials might seem daunting initially.

This is just the start; there’s much more to discover! You’ll find picturesque villages nestled among lush forests and bustling urban areas teeming with activity, where you can engage in various side activities such as sumo wrestling. Additionally, your actions may earn you a ‘wanted’ status based on the number of offenses committed. If left unchecked, this could lead to bounties that powerful adversaries will pursue relentlessly to claim your head.

The core essence of Wuxia is beautifully depicted, where you progress from an aspiring warrior to encountering grandiose situations, eventually strengthening yourself. This is something our development team has meticulously aimed to represent authentically. As stated by Soul, the global version design lead, rather than verbally expressing the culture, we aim to immerse players in an environment that embodies the martial justice spirit of Wuxia.

As a gamer, I can assure you that “Where Winds Meet” takes you on an immersive journey through a wuxia world where you’ll feel the highs of joy, the lows of sorrow, and the thrill of excitement that characterized that era. This game stands out from other action RPGs due to its unwavering dedication to its central theme. And let me tell you, the scale is impressive! Although Qingne has been tested before, the final closed beta gives a glimpse into Kaifeng, which is not only 1.5 times larger but buzzing with even more activity.

To ensure a smooth global debut, Everstone is focusing on explaining the game’s diverse terminologies to non-Chinese players, along with providing full English voiceovers. As lead designer Chris Lyu shared with WCCFTech, they are also simplifying the tutorial process and updating the user interface based on feedback from their tests. Additionally, the team is striving to add intricate details while maintaining the game’s core ambiance.

The game titled “Where Winds Meet” has been downloaded more than 30 million times. Coming later this year for iOS, Android, PC, and PS5, it will initially be a six-month timed exclusive on PS5. Everstone Studio is planning to provide approximately 150 hours of single-player content and over 20 distinct areas to discover. I’m eagerly waiting to experience the full narrative, particularly since the developer claims to integrate it “smoothly into the world itself” without disrupting the core open-world experience. This implies that there will be “subtly concealed story elements,” gradually revealing a “grand epic” for the player (provided they choose to uncover them).

This game supports smooth team play for up to four people, with an additional feature allowing you to call for help if you’re finding a boss particularly tough. Moreover, it goes above and beyond by incorporating Guild systems, where guilds can engage in battles, explore multiplayer dungeons, participate in raids, and even challenge each other to duels. Whether these features will function seamlessly is yet to be determined, but the prospect is certainly intriguing.

At the very least, this beta version has amplified our eagerness for the worldwide launch. The thrill of traversing a world and making personal decisions as an ancient martial artist, shaping our destiny to be either a revered hero or a reviled outlaw, is superbly brought to life, and I eagerly anticipate delving deeper into its offerings.

* This article reflects the personal opinions of its author, which may not align with the collective viewpoint of GamingBolt as a whole.

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2025-08-04 17:44