Strip the dungeons out of an MMORPG and just play those.
By Michael Byrne -
Where Winds Meet: A Free-to-Play Open World Action RPG That Seems Worth Checking Out This Fall
Have you heard of Where Winds Meet? It is a new open-world wuxia action RPG from Everstone Studio, a team under NetEase Games. The game is launching on November 14 for PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store). In China, it has already been available since late 2024, with mobile versions arriving earlier this year.
The game is set during the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in 10th-century China. Players take on the role of a young sword master navigating a world full of political intrigue, martial rivalries, and supernatural mysteries. Where Winds Meet promises more than 150 hours of single-player content. The game offers a deeply immersive story, extensive exploration, and countless side quests. You can wander through bustling cities, quiet villages, and remote mountains.
For players who prefer a shared experience, there are co-op and MMO-lite features as well. You can team up with friends for quests, tackle challenging bosses, or participate in shared-world events. While it is not a traditional MMO — you will not see hundreds of other players crowded in one location — there are indeed multiplayer elements.
The most remarkable feature of Where Winds Meet is that it is completely free-to-play. Everstone Studio has confirmed that all monetization is cosmetic-only. There is no pay-to-win model and no locked progression. You can enjoy everything the game has to offer without spending a single dollar.
The cosmetic options include outfits, weapon skins, mounts, emotes, and likely a seasonal battle pass system. This setup allows players to customize their characters and show off their style in the game world. Paying money will not give anyone an advantage in combat or progression, which is the ideal refreshing approach in this genre.
As for combat, Where Winds Meet has been described as Soulslike. It combines precise parries, mystical abilities, and a wide array of weapons. Players can use swords, spears, rope darts, fans, and even umbrellas. Yes, umbrellas. Those umbrellas are not just for decoration. They allow you to hover in midair, launch magical attacks, and even create healing zones. The combat system is built to feel fluid and responsive. Success depends on timing, skill, and strategy, not simply grinding for better gear.
The open world of Where Winds Meet is packed with surprises and emergent gameplay moments. You might meet a wandering bear and learn tai chi from it, or contract a plague from unsanitary conditions in the environment. Also, player choices matter. Systems for reputation, crime, and punishment mean that your actions leave a lasting impact on the world around you. The world reacts to your presence and decisions, making each playthrough feel distinct and full of consequences. You may find yourself making moral choices that shape the story or even alter how NPCs interact with you.
Even though the game includes multiplayer features, it works just fine as a solo RPG. You can dive into the story and explore on your own for as long as you like. The co-op elements are optional, designed to enhance the experience rather than take away from the single-player narrative. If you enjoy discovering secrets, completing quests, and mastering combat alone, the game accommodates that style of play. On the other hand, teaming up with friends adds another layer of fun, allowing you to coordinate strategies, explore together, and tackle tougher challenges as a group.
So what is the catch? Everstone Studio promises fairness, and everything essential in the game is free. The only reason to spend money is to stand out and look like a true wuxia legend rather than blend in as a background character. Battle passes, premium outfits, and limited-time cosmetic events may tempt players to spend money, but none of it affects combat or progression. For most players, the only investment is time, not money.
Overall, Where Winds Meet is shaping up to be a standout title. I am looking forward to it. It combines martial arts fantasy and innovation in a beautiful-looking world. The fact that it is free-to-play makes it easy for anyone to jump in and experience the game, too. Where Winds Meet seems like a game worth checking out when it launches this November.
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