Windrose: the new pirate adventure excites with early access

Windrose, a new pirate survival game that has caught gamers’ attention, entered early access on Steam on April 14, 2026. The game, which originally began as a free-to-play MMO called Crosswind, has evolved into a challenging survival experience that will especially appeal to fans of pirate adventures.

What is Windrose?

Windrose is an open-world game set in an alternate version of the Golden Age of Piracy. In this world, players take on the role of a shipwreck survivor who must endure on unknown islands, with exploration, building, and combat at the center. The game blends survival elements with demanding combat, inspired by popular titles such as Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Valheim. Players can go solo or join cooperative multiplayer with up to eight players, although four players is recommended as the ideal group size.

Gameplay features

Windrose offers an engaging gameplay loop built around building, crafting, and surviving. Players also have the chance to command ships, work with NPC crew members, and explore procedural biomes full of mysteries. Combat in Windrose is soulslike, meaning players need to be strategic with their attacks and defenses, especially against powerful bosses. The game also lets players switch from a solo world to multiplayer, making it easier for friends to jump in.

The game’s evolution

Originally planned as a free-to-play MMO, Windrose was reshaped based on player feedback, which led the developers to change both its scope and execution. Switching the business model to a buy-to-play game has allowed the team to focus more on improving the experience without the pressure of constant monetization. This appears to be a decision that has been well received by gamers, as shown by more than 1.5 million wishlists ahead of early access.

Price and availability

Windrose is priced at $30 in early access, with a $40 Supporter Bundle that includes extra content. The game is available on PC via Steam only. During launch week, a 10% discount is available, bringing the price down to $27.

Windrose seems to be off to a strong start in early access, with many players eager to explore the world and create their own stories. Developer Kraken Express says it expects to spend between 1.5 and 2.5 years working on the game before its full release, with new biomes, bosses, ships, and more story content planned.