A new pirate game, Windrose, has taken the PC gaming world by storm, emerging as a worthy rival to Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Released on Steam in early access on April 14, the game attracted over 69,000 players on its first day, with nearly 54,000 still exploring its world at the time of writing.
Developed by Kraken Express, Windrose started as an MMORPG called Crosswind but has evolved into a PvE survival game. Players can sail, plunder, and build with a crew, living out the ultimate pirate fantasy. The game features naval combat, ship upgrades, and 'soulslite' melee combat using swords and gunpowder weapons.
Unlike Sea of Thieves, Windrose has no PvP, eliminating griefing and allowing players to explore freely with friends. Resources gathered can be used to build and upgrade a settlement. The game includes a main questline and numerous side activities, with early players reporting over 50 hours of gameplay.
Kraken Express openly acknowledges Assassin's Creed Black Flag as a major influence, calling it 'the greatest pirate game ever made'. Early Steam reviews are 'very positive', with users praising its building, exploration, and pirate survival elements. One reviewer called it 'the true AAAA pirate game', contrasting it with Skull and Bones.
Windrose is currently only available on PC via Steam early access, with no console plans confirmed yet, though the team is enthusiastic about its potential after full release.
