Where Winds Meet: Visual beauty and Sekiro-style combat, but beware

Where Winds Meet draws attention with its art direction and historical Chinese setting . Inspired by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era, it features ancient temples, realistic landscapes, and floating petals reminiscent of films like House of Flying Daggers . At first glance, it looks like a mature, cinematic RPG , a far cry from the more youthful style of gacha games like Genshin Impact or Tower of Fantasy.

The combat system is reminiscent of Sekiro and Ghost of Tsushima : a fixed camera on enemies, attacks that require timing, blocking, dodging, and parrying. The animations are fluid, and the weight of each blow is felt. However, the system is inconsistent , and the finesse expected of a true Souls-like game is lost in repetitive missions and massive progression events.

While the game is visually impressive, some missions break the silliness with comical or absurd moments: throwing a bear using tai chi techniques to reach a beehive is just one example. This blend of mystical wuxia and light humor may surprise those looking for a serious or mature tone.

Where Winds Meet is clearly designed as a game-as-a-service . Multiple currencies, layers of progression, split skills, mining, repeatable activities, and an internal economy all speak for themselves. Even when played offline, its player retention structure is present: the goal is for players to invest consistent time into completing tasks and unlocking rewards.

The game is free-to-play, and micropayments only affect cosmetic aspects : skins, poses, or animations. Nothing alters progression or grants an advantage in combat. This strategy differentiates it from other titles where payments accelerate progress or modify performance.

Javier, a veteran RPG player, was drawn to the aesthetic and promise of Sekiro-style combat. After several hours, he found his enjoyment hinged more on the grind of progression than the narrative. While he enjoyed the spectacular scenery and combat , the sense of repetitive gameplay and cumulative tasks detracted from his immersion.

Where Winds Meet doesn't aim to offer an intimate experience or a deep narrative. Its primary appeal is visual and aesthetic , and it's designed for players who enjoy progression, daily events, and repeatable activities in an open world. Those looking for strong stories or demanding Sekiro-like combat may be disappointed.