Key Takeaways
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- Windrose, an indie hit from Kraken Express, offers a unique blend of crafting-survival, pirate-themed action, and Souls-like battles.
- The game features co-op action, base-building, ship-to-ship combat, and open-world exploration, with fast and intense naval combat reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag but less complex than Sea of Thieves.
- Players can engage in active community discussions on the Windrose forums, sharing strategies, tips, and participating in events. The game is currently priced at $29.99 (or $26.99 during its first week) and has an 87% user review average on Steam.
- Kraken Express, the developer behind Windrose, is also working on Krakens Lair: Battle for the Abyss, a free-to-play multiplayer action game set in an underwater world.
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Steam players are drawn to the piracy adventure of Windrose, a new indie hit from Kraken Express. This pirate-themed crafting-survival game features Souls\-like battles and sailing adventures, offering co-op action, base-building, ship-to-ship combat (including boarding), and open-world exploration. The ship-to-ship combat in Windrose is fast and intense, comparable to Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag but less complex than Sea of Thieves. After defeating the first boss, players unlock a recipe for a fishing rod. The melee combat system incorporates a parry mechanic, and players can use old-fashioned pistols and muskets with an unusual aiming system where pulling the trigger ignites a fuse that fires the bullet after a short delay. The game emphasizes challenging Souls\-like combat, requiring careful timing and strategy for survival, as enemies generally outmatch the player, even after leveling up. Currently, ramming does not inflict damage in naval combat, but the developers plan to add this feature in a future update. Reminiscent of Microsoft’s Sea of Thieves, this player-versus-player survival adventure game set in the Age of Piracy can be enjoyed solo or with friends. Windrose promises many secrets to uncover, from gathering resources for upgrades to engaging in intense battles.
The Windrose forums on Steam are active, with 1,792 topics discussed at the time of writing. The forums include sections for general discussions, trading, and event announcements. Players can visit these forums to discuss strategies, share tips, and participate in community events. Available in early access since April 14, 2022, Windrose is priced at \$29.99 (\$26.99 during its first week). The game ranks as the second-highest-grossing game on Steam, surpassing Pragmata, PUBG, and Overwatch. Furthermore, Windrose boasts an 87% user review average on Steam, based on nearly 5,000 player reviews. Notably, Windrose was previously known as Crosswind. The full release is planned for April 14, 2026, but it is currently available in early access. Kraken Express, the developer behind Windrose, is also developing Krakens Lair: Battle for the Abyss, an upcoming free-to-play multiplayer action game set in an underwater world rendered with Unreal Engine 4. Players will choose from various sea creatures like krakens, squids, or fish, and compete or cooperate while navigating environmental hazards like underwater volcanoes and whirlpools. Players can also customize their creatures with different skins and abilities. The game is slated for release on PC and consoles.
Pirate Fever Sweeps Steam with Windrose’s Successful Early Access Launch
[YouTube video cover image for Windrose: Early Access Release Trailer](Watch on YouTube) With its engaging gameplay, active community, and strong early sales, Windrose is quickly establishing itself in the pirate-themed gaming genre.
In Case You Missed It
“In other exciting gaming news, be sure to check out Marcus Thompson’s latest post, ‘Play for Free: Pirate Game Surpasses 1 Million Wishes on Steam’, published February 24th. The indie survival game Windrose is making waves with over a million wishlist commitments on Steam. With its unique Age of Piracy setting and promising features like procedurally generated islands and Souls-like combat, this game is worth adding to your wishlist. Plus, players who try the current demo will receive an exclusive cosmetic item upon Early Access debut! If you’re eager to stay on top of the latest releases, don’t miss Ahmed Hassan’s ‘Major Video Game Releases from April 13 to 19’, published April 12th. This comprehensive guide dives into an action-packed week filled with new game launches like Hades 2 and Replaced, along with Nintendo’s offerings and the enigmatic Pragmata. Don’t miss out on this chance to plan your gaming schedule – explore both posts here: ( and )”
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Windrose |
| Brief Summary | Embark on a PvE survival adventure in the Age of Piracy. Fight on land and sea, solo or with friends. Build, craft and explore vast open world filled with dark secrets. Master soulslite combat and take on challenging bosses, command your ship and plunder unspoken treasures! |
| Platforms | PC (Microsoft Windows) |
| Released | April 14, 2026 |
| Genre | Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie |
| Play Modes | Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative |
| Content Rating | T |
| Genre | Windrose Crew |
| Genre | PocketPair, Windrose Crew |
They also talk about it
Links to external sources for further reading
- Windrose Early Access ReviewWindrose Early Access Reviewtryhardguides.com
- SummarySummaryign.com
- Is Windrose worth it?Is Windrose worth it?pcgamer.com
- WindroseWindrosesteamcommunity.com
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