Where Winds Meet: Our Thoughts After 3 Hours in its Wuxia World

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Last weekend, a global beta test began for Where Winds Meet, the open-world game published by NetEase that is already available in China. This free-to-play game takes place around the year 1000 between the great Tang and Song dynasties during what’s known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. In it, players take the role of a lone wandering hero during this time of upheaval where one’s own strength matters more than the rules of society. iggn.ru readers may not be too familiar with the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, but don’t worry – the same even seems to apply to players in China.

In a past interview with lead designer Chris Lyu, we learned that the game draws inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, it’s challenging to visualize the gameplay without experiencing it firsthand. As it turns out, Where Winds Meet is the first open-world game themed around wuxia, a genre that seamlessly blends various contemporary gaming elements we see today, as described by Lyu himself upon playing the game.

Upon starting your gameplay, you encounter a scene where a man with cascading hair reclines in a bamboo forest cradling an infant, evoking memories of Zhao Yun from Romance of the Three Kingdoms. A second, dashing man appears, carrying on a conversation with him, and it appears that this man with a baby has forsaken his school. He swiftly mounts a white steed and dashes through the bamboo grove, narrowly escaping his pursuer’s weapons, with certain moments captured in slow motion. The visuals throughout this scene echo iconic moments from classic Chinese films, signaling that the game is deeply rooted in wuxia tradition.

This game is closely linked to the wuxia tradition.

The game exudes an atmosphere reminiscent of wuxia throughout, evident not only in its gameplay and visuals but also in its dialogue. As I navigated its world shortly after starting, I encountered an old man by the roadside who tasked me with scaring off a bear that was stealing honey. Surprisingly, it appeared that my character could absorb fighting techniques from the bear itself. By pressing buttons in sync with icons that appeared, I learned tai chi from the beast, which was quite remarkable.

This guide focuses on teaching you Mystic Arts integral to your character’s skillset, yet it’s the practice of observing everyday objects and nature that truly immerses you in the game’s wuxia-inspired atmosphere. You’ll discover various abilities, such as Lion’s Roar and Toad Style, which originate from nature, hinting at an array of skills your character may acquire from the game’s diverse creatures.

Just like a fantasy game might allow you to cast spells to ignite fire, this wuxia-themed game lets you harness unique powers of your own. What sets it apart is that these abilities aren’t confined to combat; they can be used in other situations too. For instance, if you perform tai chi on the water’s surface, nearby fish get drawn in, making fishing more efficient.

One interesting feature of this martial arts-themed game is its blend of features common in modern combat systems and exploration found in action games. For instance, timing your button presses right before an enemy strikes allows you to deflect their attacks, creating a rhythmic exchange during the action sequences.

In this game, much like the blocking mechanisms common in modern action games, the game slows down when it’s time to block an enemy attack and shows a symbol indicating the required button (though this symbol can be turned off in settings). This feature somewhat resembles Final Fantasy XVI’s Story-Focused mode, but unlike there, these symbols consume Insight Points when shown and won’t appear if you run out, so you can’t indiscriminately block every enemy attack without consequences.

At present, there are seven distinct types of weapons available for players to utilize (with further expansion on the horizon). Apart from conventional options like swords and spears, you’ll also find some unconventional choices such as umbrellas and foldable fans. Each weapon introduces a different dynamic to gameplay; for instance, an umbrella’s special skill can momentarily stun an enemy, while a foldable fan generates an area that restores health not only for the player but also their teammates.

In this game, players can arm themselves with both a primary and a secondary weapon, each offering diverse martial art techniques. The techniques you have at your disposal will differ depending on the school you learn from, with eleven schools to choose from in total. The combat style in the game transforms significantly based on the mix of mystical and physical abilities you employ, offering considerable customization options. With numerous attacks at your disposal, the balance between offense and defense through parries, and an overall aggressive approach to battle elements, it seemed like the game had picked up a smorgasbord of contemporary gaming features and put in an order for everything.

In different scenarios, whether a bow and arrow functions as the primary or secondary weapon, it exhibits unique characteristics. It allows players to attack enemies from a distance and also navigate puzzles by cutting through vines to clear paths. Its design seems reminiscent of another game, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” showcasing an influence from that title.

It sounds like upwards of a thousand NPCs have reputation levels, allowing you to befriend them on an individual basis.

The heart of this game lies in the freedom to explore an expansive world and advance through it. During my sneak peek, I wandered around Kaifeng – one of China’s ancient capitals situated in Henan province and a bustling metropolis during its prime. Remarkably, even amidst a war-torn setting, the game city appeared vibrant and full of life; its inhabitants chatted amicably, much like the citizens of Cyberpunk 2077 after a brief stroll through its streets. It seems that over a thousand NPCs in this game have reputation levels, which means you can forge personal relationships with them individually.

Hope this helps! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do. 🙂

It’s not difficult to envision the life of characters in the game’s meticulously crafted streets reminiscent of ancient Kaifeng, which seems to have been inspired by historical structures that survive till today. As you traverse the main thoroughfare, you will eventually come across a grand arching bridge. On the other side lies an elegant palace with impressive fortifications, suggesting the wealth and grandeur of this Chinese capital during its heyday. From there, the player can delve into the mysteries surrounding their own origins as a wanderer in the hero’s journey.

In just around three hours of play, it became clear to me that the game Where Winds Meet shares familiar elements found in many open-world games. However, what truly astounded me was not just the blend of these features but how the theme of wuxia and its skillful presentation managed to harmoniously unite them all. In essence, I’d describe Where Winds Meet as a beautiful fusion of the past decade’s popular open-world and action game mechanics with the deep affection Chinese developers have for the wuxia genre.

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2025-07-30 02:58