Review of the game Where Winds Meet
Where Winds Meet is a free-to-play Chinese MMORPG in the «wuxia» genre. Despite such a strange name, denoting eastern martial arts, the game quickly conquered not only the Middle Kingdom, but also, it seems, the whole world - in the first weeks after release it burst into the top of the Steam sales chart, overtaking among others Battlefield 6, and attracted 2 million users, and a month later its audience already reached 15 million people. Today in our review we will try to understand what exactly attracts players to Where Winds Meet.
About the story
Games in the «wuxia» genre are dedicated to eastern martial arts, so it is not surprising that the action of Where Winds Meet takes place in China. And in ancient China - in the troubled and restless era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 AD), when the Tang Empire was overthrown, and the new Song dynasty was only trying to establish itself on the local iron throne.
We play, naturally, as a young swordsman who is actively studying martial arts. But the story is twisted not around eastern martial arts (although, of course, a lot of time is devoted to them) and not only around political intrigues. The writers tried to write a large-scale and multifaceted story, so politics here is intertwined with personal dramas, tragedy - with comedy, and real historical references - with mysticism.
We play, naturally, as a young swordsman who is actively studying martial arts. But the story is twisted not around eastern martial arts (although, of course, a lot of time is devoted to them) and not only around political intrigues. The writers tried to write a large-scale and multifaceted story, so politics here is intertwined with personal dramas, tragedy - with comedy, and real historical references - with mysticism.
In the first chapters we have a typical samurai plot about an attack on the protagonist's village. We see how his loved ones and friends, even if still little, show more courage than some adults. This is a very emotional story that sometimes just hits below the belt and makes one shed a stingy male (well, or abundant female) tear.
But then we get to a large capital city, where the mood changes somewhat - there we see both the luxury of the powers that be, and poverty, vices, injustice and even slavery flourishing at the bottom in the slums. Here one recalls not books and films about brave heroes defending their native homes, but, for example, Korolenko's «Children of the Underground».
But then we get to a large capital city, where the mood changes somewhat - there we see both the luxury of the powers that be, and poverty, vices, injustice and even slavery flourishing at the bottom in the slums. Here one recalls not books and films about brave heroes defending their native homes, but, for example, Korolenko's «Children of the Underground».
But at the same time, there was a place for humor, funny characters, and many different adventures. Everything is twisted around a seemingly magical pot that brews...money. It is stolen, and our swordsman is accused of the theft, who now must find the true culprit within the allotted time. And this will be a very nerve-wracking detective story, because his life is at stake.
In the process of investigation, we meet charismatic swindlers and smugglers whom you still want to protect, we ourselves almost become victims of deception, we visit luxurious parties in expensive houses, and soon we are already running on roofs, sneaking through the sewers and visiting the most dubious places in the slums, where the atmosphere of tense, dangerous, but fascinating adventures reigning above is replaced by gloom and almost horror.
In the process of investigation, we meet charismatic swindlers and smugglers whom you still want to protect, we ourselves almost become victims of deception, we visit luxurious parties in expensive houses, and soon we are already running on roofs, sneaking through the sewers and visiting the most dubious places in the slums, where the atmosphere of tense, dangerous, but fascinating adventures reigning above is replaced by gloom and almost horror.
About world exploration
In any case, there is no time to get bored. At the same time, the story quests are only a small part of the adventures with which the large open world of Where Winds Meet is overflowing. Setting off on foot or on horseback on story business, you are highly likely to risk being distracted by one of the many side quests. And they never come down to familiar algorithms - «Kill 10 wolves and bring me their fangs» or «Collect 10 plantains».
Many tasks are tied to the exploration of the region. This will almost always be clearing dungeons, which is accompanied by fights, puzzles and treasure hunts, but each time the writers come up with their own interesting story for it, arrange meetings with scientists, researchers, make us study the secrets of dead gods or dig into the events of the past and lift curses. All such quests increase the level of region exploration, for which we receive rewards.
Many tasks are tied to the exploration of the region. This will almost always be clearing dungeons, which is accompanied by fights, puzzles and treasure hunts, but each time the writers come up with their own interesting story for it, arrange meetings with scientists, researchers, make us study the secrets of dead gods or dig into the events of the past and lift curses. All such quests increase the level of region exploration, for which we receive rewards.
But there are also plenty of other side tasks and entertainments for every taste - we clear outposts, participate in duels and tournaments, prevent crimes, help journalists find sensations, figure out how to infiltrate a high-ranking banquet and conduct detective investigations - collect evidence, interview people around and get information in order to show our deductive talents in a separate menu and draw the right conclusions.
In the open world there are also many different trials (for example, racing analogues), puzzles, guarded chests and hidden treasures, which will be led to by beautiful butterflies - here the authors clearly drew inspiration from Genshin Impact. And therefore they also bet not just on a very rich, but also on a very picturesque world.
In the open world there are also many different trials (for example, racing analogues), puzzles, guarded chests and hidden treasures, which will be led to by beautiful butterflies - here the authors clearly drew inspiration from Genshin Impact. And therefore they also bet not just on a very rich, but also on a very picturesque world.
In addition, Where Winds Meet has clearly become a leader in the genre in terms of the number of mini-games per square meter of virtual space. We play mahjong and musical instruments, fish, dance, wrestle in wrestling, drink wine and throw arrows into a pot, arrange verbal battles and even treat NPCs (both are implemented as a card game). And this is not the whole list. In any settlement we seem to find ourselves at a large fair that never ends. And even more so such a feeling arises in the capital city, which generally seems to be the largest and most bustling of all that the author of these lines has seen in games.
From all sides there are calls to try or buy something, to play something, to place a bet in cockfights. All around are some fakirs, merchants and suspicious characters. And we can also interact interestingly with everyone - not just ask how things are or how to get to the blacksmith, but open chests and pick pockets from a distance (there is such a special magical technique here), as well as eavesdrop, collecting rumors and important information. The latter may even help prevent a crime - and then with the caught little thief you need to gallop to the local sheriff for a reward.
By the way, you yourself can become a criminal and then a price will be set for you. In Where Winds Meet a whole crime and punishment system is implemented. If you are caught stealing, buying/selling contraband, attacking or killing non-playable characters or noticed in a restricted zone, you will be declared a criminal. And eventually you may end up in prison or even be paraded through the streets in a cage to abusive shouts. The way out is to pay a fine or hire a lawyer who can prove the falsity of the charges. Yes-yes, even this is possible in this amazing game!
And also here you can catch some disease and get so sick that you will have to look for a healer or visit a clinic. Finally, in conversations with NPCs we can try to improve relations with them and even become friends. To do this, it is necessary not only to give gifts, but also to communicate through...a built-in chatbot. Yes, Where Winds Meet has become perhaps the first game in the world where you can communicate with a neural network that controls many non-playable characters. In each such case, we must convince the NPC of something in the chatbot (for example, of the need to stop drinking!) or offer help - if it works out, we will receive a reward and improve relations. As a result, thanks to such an abundance of activities and opportunities for interacting with NPCs, the surrounding world in Where Winds Meet really seems alive. Such sensations did not arise even in Red Dead Redemption 2!
And also here you can catch some disease and get so sick that you will have to look for a healer or visit a clinic. Finally, in conversations with NPCs we can try to improve relations with them and even become friends. To do this, it is necessary not only to give gifts, but also to communicate through...a built-in chatbot. Yes, Where Winds Meet has become perhaps the first game in the world where you can communicate with a neural network that controls many non-playable characters. In each such case, we must convince the NPC of something in the chatbot (for example, of the need to stop drinking!) or offer help - if it works out, we will receive a reward and improve relations. As a result, thanks to such an abundance of activities and opportunities for interacting with NPCs, the surrounding world in Where Winds Meet really seems alive. Such sensations did not arise even in Red Dead Redemption 2!
About co-op and PvP
Besides non-playable characters, in Where Winds Meet you can and should actively interact with other players. To do this, we can switch between two modes at any time. In «solo» we complete story quests and do not see other users, and in online mode the game turns from a large and beautiful story RPG into an equally huge and beautiful MMORPG.
All (well, or almost all) accompanying bonuses are included - a bunch of other players around whom you can inspect, invite as friends or challenge to a duel, guilds, joint boss raids, arena battles. In co-op, you can not only go to bosses, but also clear outposts. By the way, if in solo mode in such cases there is an option to try to avoid a fight and play chess with the enemy leader, for example, or negotiate with him, then in online you will have to exclusively fight.
All (well, or almost all) accompanying bonuses are included - a bunch of other players around whom you can inspect, invite as friends or challenge to a duel, guilds, joint boss raids, arena battles. In co-op, you can not only go to bosses, but also clear outposts. By the way, if in solo mode in such cases there is an option to try to avoid a fight and play chess with the enemy leader, for example, or negotiate with him, then in online you will have to exclusively fight.
At the same time, even in solo mode, you can always ask other players for help and summon them (or an open NPC ally) to help in a boss fight. And also, just like in Dark Souls, players can leave messages visible to everyone - with hints or just with some messages. Naturally, in online you can invite other users to have fun in mini-games. For this, a special cruise ship is even provided, which sets sail with a certain periodicity and invites other players to gather together for communication and joint entertainment.
In addition, Where Winds Meet has a profession system - so far a healer and a scientist are available. So, a healer can heal not only NPCs, but also other players - requests for this in the in-game chat are among the most popular. And a player-scientist can be hired as a lawyer to prove the falsity of the charges brought. Moreover, the aforementioned crime and punishment system allows taking orders on a special bulletin board not only for criminals from the NPC ranks, but also for other players accused of one or another offense.
In addition, Where Winds Meet has a profession system - so far a healer and a scientist are available. So, a healer can heal not only NPCs, but also other players - requests for this in the in-game chat are among the most popular. And a player-scientist can be hired as a lawyer to prove the falsity of the charges brought. Moreover, the aforementioned crime and punishment system allows taking orders on a special bulletin board not only for criminals from the NPC ranks, but also for other players accused of one or another offense.
As for PvP in the arena, in addition to classic 1-on-1 duels, there is also a local analogue of the battle royale, where we fight with four other players in a location that gradually fills with gas, forcing everyone to group up in the center.
How it plays
Where Winds Meet is an RPG in the wuxia genre, and therefore there are many martial arts and battles here. In terms of gameplay, it is in many ways close to other Chinese games of this kind - we are talking about Black Myth: Wukong and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. We explore the world, complete quests, level up and fight. At the same time, fights can be quite tough and difficult, causing inevitable comparisons with Dark Souls. Especially since stamina is consumed in battles, you also need to block, parry and dodge in a timely manner (with a perfect dodge, time slows down).
But if the bosses here can really be extremely difficult, then ordinary enemies compared to soulslikes look easier. Although the balance can change dramatically - at some stage even ordinary opponents suddenly become extremely dangerous.
But if the bosses here can really be extremely difficult, then ordinary enemies compared to soulslikes look easier. Although the balance can change dramatically - at some stage even ordinary opponents suddenly become extremely dangerous.
In any case, Where Winds Meet targets a wider audience. Therefore, it provides many concessions - after death we lose only 1% of equipment durability and immediately respawn. You can freely change the difficulty, and on the easiest you will quickly defeat any boss. But the most important and useful thing is that the game offers a guide on how best to upgrade the character and weapons to deal with the enemy.
And there is always an opportunity to go to free training with a boss - in them, after defeat, we lose nothing at all. This is a very correct and balanced approach - hardcore players, if they wish, will always get a serious challenge without resorting to any concessions, and more casual players will never get stuck in the game for good.
And there is always an opportunity to go to free training with a boss - in them, after defeat, we lose nothing at all. This is a very correct and balanced approach - hardcore players, if they wish, will always get a serious challenge without resorting to any concessions, and more casual players will never get stuck in the game for good.
There are no classes in Where Winds Meet - there are roles that we perform on the battlefield. These can be a defender, a damage dealer or a healer. At the same time, everything is tied to what weapon we use. Each of its types gives its own combat skills and styles. We are free to carry two types of weapons plus a bow at the same time. As a result, in one battle you can alternate, for example, a spear with powerful melee attacks, and a fan that heals the character and allies and deals damage from afar.
In addition, in fights, the so-called mystical skills are also actively used, allowing to throw enemies, knock them off their feet, immobilize them for a while and so on. We unlock such skills in different ways - including spying on animals for some, in order to then jump on enemies like frogs or grab and throw them like bears in fights. However, there are abilities that allow you to become invisible and deal with opponents more carefully and imperceptibly. It will not be possible to act stealthily in all cases, but it is here. And all this - weapons, skills and the overall level of the character - we, naturally, pump up throughout the game in different ways.
In addition, in fights, the so-called mystical skills are also actively used, allowing to throw enemies, knock them off their feet, immobilize them for a while and so on. We unlock such skills in different ways - including spying on animals for some, in order to then jump on enemies like frogs or grab and throw them like bears in fights. However, there are abilities that allow you to become invisible and deal with opponents more carefully and imperceptibly. It will not be possible to act stealthily in all cases, but it is here. And all this - weapons, skills and the overall level of the character - we, naturally, pump up throughout the game in different ways.
Conclusion
Add here a construction system, secret factions and sects that you can join (though first you will have to find them and figure out how to do it), absolutely gorgeous graphics making the game one of the most beautiful in the industry, and the absence of a pay-to-win principle (gacha and an in-built store are in place, but mostly only «cosmetics» are sold). And you will understand why Where Winds Meet is so liked by many. However, the main secret of success lies in the fact that today it is the most large-scale and diverse online RPG in the world, which at the same time continues to develop and expand.
Zarium. May 2026
Zarium. May 2026