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Where Winds Meet Launch Guide: Release Times, Platforms, F2P, and Reviews Explained

Updated: 7 hours ago

Where Winds Meet is finally launching tomorrow, and if you’ve been waiting to jump into this ambitious Wuxia-inspired world, we’ve gathered everything you need to know: release times, price, platforms, story details, and early reviews.


Where Winds Meet Launch Guide: Release Times, Platforms, F2P Model, Story, and Early Impressions.
Where Winds Meet | Image Credit: NetEase Games via Gaming Amigos

Developed by Everstone Studio and published by NetEase Games, this open-world action-adventure RPG blends martial arts combat, deep exploration, and narrative choices grounded in 10th-century China. After debuting in China on December 27, 2024, the global release is now ready to roll out, making it one of the most anticipated F2P launches of late 2025.


Platforms

Where Winds Meet releases on:

  • PC: Steam and Epic Games Store (Windows 10/11 64-bit required)

  • PS5: Native version with DualSense haptics and adaptive trigger support


As of now, no Xbox or Switch versions are confirmed, though the developers have teased potential expansions to “more platforms” in the future.


Release Times

The global PC launch goes live on November 14, 2025. Here’s the regional breakdown:

  • Los Angeles (PST) – Nov 14, 2:00 PM

  • Chicago (CST) – Nov 14, 4:00 PM

  • New York (EST) – Nov 14, 5:00 PM

  • London (GMT) – Nov 14, 10:00 PM

  • Paris / Berlin (CET) – Nov 14, 11:00 PM

  • Johannesburg (SAST) – Nov 15, 12:00 AM

  • Dubai (GST) – Nov 15, 2:00 AM

  • New Delhi (IST) – Nov 15, 3:30 AM

  • Beijing (CST) – Nov 15, 6:00 AM

  • Tokyo/Seoul (JST/KST) – Nov 15, 7:00 AM

  • Sydney (AEDT) – Nov 15, 9:00 AM

  • Auckland (NZDT) – Nov. 15, 11:00 AM


Editions & Price

Where Winds Meet is completely free-to-play, with no base purchase needed. The monetization system stays cosmetic-focused and avoids pay-to-win advantages.

  • Standard Edition: Free on all platforms

  • PS5 Pre-Order Bundle – $14.99 USD:

    • One outfit from three available sets

    • Astral Trail Name Card

    • 10,000 Coins

    • 2× Lingering Melody cosmetic draws


There are no paid editions for PC. Pre-registration rewards include exclusive outfits, name cards, and other cosmetics.


Pre-load details:

  • PC players can pre-load via Steam or the official launcher.

  • PS5 players who bought the pre-order bundle can pre-load through PS Store.


On PC, the game comes in three sizes: Lite at 68GB, Standard at 100GB, and Ultimate at 120GB, while on PS5 it’s a fixed 108GB.


Pre-registration crossed 10 million players on November 10, unlocking the final community milestone and boosting hype further.


Story Overview

You play as a young sword master from Qinghe, raised by Aunt Han and Uncle Jiang. A stolen jade pendant during a festival triggers a chain of events tied to the Evercare Clinic, spiraling into a larger national conspiracy.


The narrative spans 20+ regions, from serene plains and haunted ruins to the bustling capital of Kaifeng, home to over 10,000 reactive NPCs. Choices matter too; your actions shape your reputation, whether you walk the path of heroism, assassination, or scholarship. As you progress, you’ll uncover 1,200+ historical artifacts and pieces of forbidden lore.


Gameplay

Where Winds Meet focuses on fluid martial arts combat, layered exploration, and a reactive open world.


Combat System

Combat is fast, stylish, and stance-driven. You’ll wield:

  • 12 martial arts sets

  • 23 mystical techniques

  • 7+ weapon types, including swords, spears, dual blades, rope darts, fans, umbrellas, and bows


Animations are choreographed by Hong Kong action legend Stephen Tung Wai, adding a cinematic punch to battles. Boss encounters use unique mechanics, timing cues, and environmental hazards.


Exploration

Traverse the world using parkour, gliding, horse riding, grappling, and more. Weather and time of day shift NPC behavior and open new events or paths. You can take on jobs, craft gear, play mini-games, or simply explore at your own pace.


Multiplayer Modes

Although you can play entirely solo, the game supports:

  • Seamless 4-player co-op

  • Guild raids, wars, and PvP duels

  • PvPvE modes, including Battle Royale

  • Seasonal themed updates with story add-ons

No content is locked behind paywalls.


Early Reviews

The review embargo lifted on November 12, and early impressions are mixed but generally positive for a free-to-play launch. Current scores:

  • Metacritic: 72/100

  • OpenCritic: 71/100 (67% recommended)


Critics praise the worldbuilding, ambition, and fair monetization. However, some note repetitive combat, overwhelming systems, and a feeling that the game tries to do too much at once.


Review Highlights

  • IGN (6/10): "It has a great understanding of what makes wuxia such a compelling subgenre of fantasy fiction, bleeding into the vibrancy of it’s characters and the flair of its combat. But it becomes clear pretty quickly that the attempt to shove many different kinds of experiences into one game – open world adventure, action-heavy MMO, musical rhythm game, card battler, etc. – only ensures that none of these elements reach their full potential. Instead, Where Winds Meet is an amusement park where every ride is being run at half speed, and the sugary treats at the concession stands come with piles of paperwork to complete before you can chow down."

  • Wccftech (8.5/10): "An exceptional open-world experience, successfully blending an engaging story, meaningful activities, a solid combat system paired with competent character progression, a wealth of multiplayer options, and one of the most lively cities in the genre."

  • COGconnected (8/10): "Over-ambitious, messy, opaque, and inconsistent. It has too many gears that don’t mesh, a lot that’s poorly explained, and it refuses to give the player a moment of unproductive time, even at the cost of coherence and comprehensibility. For all that, Where Winds Meet is a lot of fun. It often looks incredible and the world is certainly filled with content, whether for a single player or in a group. Even without touching the cash shop, Where Winds Meet provides a huge amount of free game play. Right now, Where Winds Meet is a little shy of greatness, but with some technical improvements and time it could get there."


FAQs

Q: When does it release?

A: November 14, 2025, for PC and PS5.


Q: Is it free-to-play?

A: Yes. Cosmetic-only monetization, battle pass perks, and gacha for visuals—no pay-to-win.


Q: What platforms are supported?

A: PC (Steam/Epic) and PS5 at launch. Xbox/mobile TBD for global release.


Q: Does progress carry over from beta?

A: No, beta progress resets.


Q: Is cross-play supported?

A: Yes, with cross-progression between PC and PS5.


Q: Can it be played solo?

A: Absolutely. The entire story and exploration are solo-friendly.


Q: What are the PC requirements?

A: Minimum GTX 1060 (6GB), Recommended RTX 2070 Super; install size 100 GB.


Q: Does Where Winds Meet support English Voiceover?

A: Yes, Where Winds Meet launches with full English voice acting alongside the Chinese original VO, making it fully localized for Western players.


Final Thoughts

Where Winds Meet is shaping up to be one of the more ambitious F2P RPGs in recent years, offering a massive world, cinematic martial arts combat, and plenty of freedom to explore, solo or with friends. If you love Wuxia stories or open-world RPGs, this might be one to dive into on day one.


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