Windrose, a co-op pirate survival game, has made waves in the gaming community following a successful demo at Next Fest in February. As it embarks on its early access journey today, players are eager to see if it lives up to the anticipation. Having spent a significant amount of time with both the demo and an early build, I’ve begun to explore its expansive ocean world, complete with a lively crew and thrilling pirate battles.
What kind of survival game is Windrose?
Windrose combines elements of base-building, ship-to-ship combat, and open-world exploration. The narrative kicks off with a dramatic encounter with Blackbeard that leaves players shipwrecked on a desolate island. From there, the quest begins: gather resources, craft a base, repair your ship, and rescue your crew to establish a new pirate empire.
As Windrose launches into early access, here’s a concise overview of its features:
<table tabindex="0" class="tablewrapper tablewrapper–inbodyContent tablewrapper–sticky tablewrapper–divider”>
<tbody class="tablebody”>
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Hunger / Thirst
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Valheim-like: you won’t die of starvation but food buffs your attributes
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Weather / temperature
<td class="tablebody_data”>⚠️
<td class="tablebody_data”>Rain and wind present, but no negative effects observed yet
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Illness / Injury
<td class="tablebody_data”>⚠️
<td class="tablebody_data”>Health is a single meter, cured by potions and bandages
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>PvP
<td class="tablebody_data”>❌
<td class="tablebody_data”>Only online co-op available
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>PvE
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Engage with animals, zombies, and enemy pirates
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Crafting
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Conveniently pulls from nearby storage chests
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Base-building
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Similar to Palworld’s building system
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Custom settings
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Adjust health and damage settings for enemies and ships
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Fishing
<td class="tablebody_data”>⚠️*
<td class="tablebody_data”>Not yet implemented in early access
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Farming
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Limited to a few crops currently
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>NPC companions
<td class="tablebody_data”>❌
<td class="tablebody_data”>No companions that follow you around
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>NPC helpers
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Hire NPCs to assist at crafting stations
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Death penalty?
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Drop raw resources but retain crafted items upon death
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Sea shanties
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Crew will sing during voyages
<tr class="tablebodyrow”>
<td class="tablebody_data”>Shared progress
<td class="tablebody_data”>✅
<td class="tablebody_data”>Join friends’ games and share progress
Fishing appears to be on the horizon, but is not yet available in the current build. * Farming options are currently limited.
One standout aspect of Windrose is the exhilarating ship-to-ship combat. The mechanics are straightforward yet engaging, allowing players to focus on circling opponents and unleashing cannon fire without the burden of managing wind direction or extensive repairs. If your ship is sunk, respawning it requires only a minimal lumber cost, making the experience accessible and fun.
However, melee combat leaves something to be desired. The parry system, while functional, can feel repetitive as it relies on timing rather than offering dynamic engagement. On a brighter note, the use of period-appropriate firearms adds a layer of excitement, as players must maintain their aim after pulling the trigger due to a short fuse delay.
How ‘early’ access is it?
Windrose is expected to remain in early access for one to three years, with developers indicating that only about half of the planned content is currently available. Even so, the existing gameplay is robust, with the demo alone offering hours of exploration across just three islands. After nearly 24 hours of gameplay, I’ve only scratched the surface, having visited a few hubs and encountered various vendors.
Performance-wise, there are occasional slowdowns, particularly when new areas load, but overall stability has been commendable. While some optimization is needed, the game has not crashed during my sessions.
Is Windrose worth it?
From a cost standpoint: Priced at , with a 10% discount at launch, the value seems reasonable given the extensive demo experience. However, players should be prepared for a potentially lengthy wait for additional content.
From a survival standpoint: While the crafting and building systems are adequate, they may not offer the depth some players seek. The absence of hardcore survival mechanics like dehydration or illness is notable, at least in the current iteration.
From a co-op game standpoint: Windrose may not capture the whimsical chaos of titles like Sea of Thieves, but it has the potential to be an enjoyable experience for small groups of friends looking to engage in naval battles and collaborative base-building.
