Rediscovering the Joy of Sea Shanties in Windrose
In a surprising twist, the pandemic has led to a collective fatigue for many, including myself, when it comes to sea shanties. During those long months of isolation, it seemed that every other TikTok featured someone belting out a nautical tune, and the overexposure left me yearning for silence on the high seas. However, having stepped away from TikTok a couple of years ago, I find myself re-embracing the charm of these maritime melodies just in time for the release of the Next Fest demo for the pirate survival game, Windrose, now available on Steam.
In Windrose, players are invited to embark on a journey filled with adventure, ship repairs, and, of course, a chorus of lively sea shanties sung by a crew of NPC pirates. The excitement builds as you watch the new trailer, which promises a grand pirate adventure that is hard to resist.
As with any survival game, the path to adventure begins on a desolate island, following an unfortunate encounter with the infamous Blackbeard that leaves you shipwrecked and without even a tricorn hat to your name. The familiar rhythm of survival gameplay kicks in: gather resources, craft tools, and prepare to thrive in this new environment. While the mechanics may echo those of countless other survival games, the unique pirate theme adds a layer of intrigue, especially when you’re a tattooed pirate swinging an axe.
Your ultimate goal is clear: escape the island and explore the distant shores visible on the horizon. Along the way, you’ll face off against surprisingly formidable Dodo birds, unearth buried treasure, and battle the undead known as Drowned—zombie pirates that add a thrilling twist to your survival efforts. After establishing a modest base and constructing a small boat, the adventure truly begins.
As you navigate the waters, you’ll discover shipwrecks ripe for repair, rescue captured crew members, and engage in exhilarating ship-to-ship combat. The thrill of freeing your crewmates from Blackbeard’s clutches is palpable, especially when you craft new cannons and don a freshly acquired tricorn hat. But the high seas are treacherous; my initial foray into naval combat ended in disaster as I faced one of Blackbeard’s ships. Despite my best efforts, my vessel succumbed to cannon fire, and I found myself overwhelmed by enemy pirates.
Fortunately, Windrose balances its challenges with a forgiving nature. Recovering my sunken ship required only a modest amount of timber, allowing me to quickly return to the fray. After a few attempts, I finally triumphed in battle, boarding the enemy ship for a chaotic melee that was as exhilarating as it was chaotic.
While Windrose may not reinvent the survival genre, it captivates with its pirate-themed adventure, exploration, and engaging ship combat. The lively NPC crew adds a delightful touch, reminiscent of the camaraderie found in titles like Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. The slow-paced flintlock pistols also introduce a unique dynamic to combat, making each encounter feel more strategic.
The demo itself is impressively substantial, offering around seven hours of gameplay before signaling its conclusion, yet it allows for continued exploration and crafting. Although a release date remains unannounced, anticipation builds as I look forward to reuniting with my musical crew on the high seas once more.
