Where Winds Meet, developed by Everstone Studios, represents a new approach to open-world RPGs by blending Chinese wuxia fantasy with historical settings. Unlike previous games based on Chinese mythology, Where Winds Meet emphasizes a realistic visual style and an immersive world, focusing on the provinces of 10th century China. The game offers a dynamic environment that encourages exploration while staying rooted in the principles of wuxia storytelling.
As a live-service action RPG, it draws surface-level comparisons to Genshin Impact, though it avoids anime-inspired visuals in favor of a more realistic aesthetic. The game’s open world is designed to reflect the natural and architectural beauty of ancient China, reminiscent of the attention to detail seen in Ghost of Tsushima’s representation of Japan. Beyond its visuals, the game creates a Jianghu - a fantasy world parallel to historical China - where adventurers, known as Youxia, can explore freely and perform superhuman feats.
Historical Inspiration and the Jianghu
Where Winds Meet is set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, a transitional era between the Tang and Song dynasties. Lead Designer Chris Lyu describes the period as a time of both disorder and opportunity, which provides a complex backdrop for the game’s story. While the setting references real historical events, it is not a historical simulation in the way Assassin’s Creed titles recreate past eras. Instead, the Jianghu world allows for narrative freedom, combining elements of history with fantasy martial arts.
Players can engage in combat and exploration from the beginning, with characters capable of triple-jumping, air-dashing, and running up walls. Martial arts are central to the experience, with multiple weapons, each offering unique playstyles, and Jianghu techniques inspired by kung fu. Some abilities, such as Dim Mak, allow players to project internal energy to affect enemies at a distance, reflecting the balance of realistic and fantastical combat elements.
Exploration and Player Choice
Exploration in Where Winds Meet is designed to be interactive and layered. Martial arts abilities can be used not only for combat but also to solve environmental puzzles. Tai Chi, for example, can redirect force to manipulate water or clear obstacles, making martial arts integral to both gameplay and immersion. The game’s design philosophy integrates these abilities with environmental factors such as time and space, creating challenges that encourage experimentation and engagement.
In addition to martial skills, players can choose professions like scholar, musician, or doctor. These roles are woven into the story and gameplay, offering opportunities to influence the world beyond combat. For example, a musician might uncover hidden mysteries, while a doctor may encounter enemies who use poison, emphasizing the interconnectedness of professions and the world.
Social Systems and Faction Integration
Where Winds Meet also supports multiplayer options, including cooperative play and PvP. Players can join martial arts sects, each with distinct philosophies and techniques, further expanding opportunities for character growth. The game’s narrative and world design guide players subtly, encouraging exploration without forcing linear progression. Dynamic encounters and rumors shared by NPCs create emergent quests, reflecting the spontaneous and poetic nature of the wuxia genre.
Progression and Moral Complexity
Progression in the game is influenced by both skill development and philosophical growth. Internal arts, cultivation, and sect affiliations are presented not as simple skill trees but as systems that encourage players to understand martial principles and pursue their own Dao. The game also allows players to make morally complex decisions, reflecting the ambiguity of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. Choosing unconventional paths affects relationships and the player’s position in the world, offering a nuanced take on heroism.
Where Winds Meet is available now on the Epic Games Store, offering an open-world RPG experience that blends historical inspiration, wuxia martial arts, and dynamic exploration.
Source: Alan Wen, Epic Games
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Where Winds Meet?
Where Winds Meet is a live-service open-world action RPG set in 10th century China, combining wuxia martial arts, historical inspiration, and exploration.
Who developed Where Winds Meet?
The game is developed by Everstone Studios.
What is the setting of the game?
The game is set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, offering a historically inspired but fantastical version of ancient China.
What makes the game a wuxia RPG?
Where Winds Meet incorporates martial arts combat, superhuman abilities, and philosophical growth, reflecting the principles and storytelling style of the wuxia genre.
Can you play with others in Where Winds Meet?
Yes, the game supports cooperative play and PvP, as well as joining martial arts sects for additional gameplay options.
Are there non-combat activities in the game?
Players can pursue professions such as musician, doctor, or scholar, which influence the story and interactions with the world.
What platforms is Where Winds Meet available on?
The game is currently available on the Epic Games Store.
