Where Winds Meet – A Breath of Wuxia in a Sea of Soulslikes

China’s growing presence in AAA game development is hard to ignore. After the success of Black Myth: Wukong, games like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Phantom Blade Zero, and Where Winds Meet are continuing to put Chinese studios on the map — especially in the Soulslike genre.

Where Winds Meet falls under that umbrella, but it brings its own flavor to the mix. Developed by Everstone Studio, it blends Soulslike action with Wuxia-style martial arts, all set against the backdrop of ancient China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period — a time of political upheaval, shifting allegiances, and legendary warriors.

Combat That Rewards

At its core, this is a skill-based action RPG. Expect fast-paced, reactive combat where success depends on timing, weapon choice, and your ability to adapt.

You’ll have access to a variety of weapons — swords, spears, twin blades, bows, even fans — each with their own unique movesets and martial arts techniques. 

Think more Sekiro than Elden Ring, but with a stronger focus on fluidity and vertical movement.

What stands out is the freedom of traversal. You’re not limited to running and dodging on the ground — you can sprint up walls, leap across rooftops, and chain aerial strikes, making exploration feel dynamic instead of formulaic.

Original Wuxia Aesthetic

Where most Soulslike titles lean toward dark, oppressive atmospheres, Where Winds Meet draws from Wuxia fiction — stories of martial heroes who fight with elegance and honor, often set against beautiful, ancient landscapes.

This shows in everything from the environment design to the combat animations. The world is built with detail and cultural depth, aiming to reflect a time when China was fractured by war, but still rich in tradition and philosophy.

Open World That Feels Alive

Where Winds Meet isn’t just about swordplay — it offers open-ended exploration with meaningful choices. 

The game gives you room to align with different factions, make moral decisions, and shape your character’s path.

Whether you lean toward being a righteous protector or a more self-serving mercenary, your journey adapts to those choices. 

The game doesn’t funnel you into a single narrative — instead, it lets you carve one out yourself. For players who like a sense of agency without overwhelming branching paths, this could strike a good balance.

Visuals & Atmosphere

Visually, the game is stunning. Expect lush forests, foggy mountaintops, ancient cities, and serene riversides, all enhanced by dynamic weather and lighting systems. 

It’s the kind of world that invites you to slow down and take it in between battles.

The martial arts animations also deserve a mention — from intricate sword techniques to wide-angle cinematic finishing moves, everything feels polished and stylized without being over-the-top.

Platforms & Release Info

• Coming to: PC (Steam + Epic), PlayStation 5, and Mobile
• Release window: Sometime in 2025 (no exact date yet)

What’s Looking Good:

• Skill-based combat with a martial arts twist
• Diverse weapon system and unique traversal mechanics
• Deep Chinese historical and cultural influence
• Faction choices and player agency in story progression
• Visually rich open world with vertical movement options

What Might Be a Concern:

• Combat may feel overwhelming for newcomers
• Story pacing might be slow for players craving constant action
• There’s talk that some P2W mechanics could show up in the mobile version, let's hope not

If you’re someone who enjoyed Sekiro but wanted a bit more freedom, or if you’re a fan of open-world action RPGs with meaningful choices, this could be one to keep on your radar.

It may not be trying to change the formula — but it’s definitely working with its own set of ingredients.