Experience an epic story, take part in fast-paced martial arts battles, experience different occupations with their own quests, and explore a massive game world that is both beautiful to behold and filled with secrets waiting to be discovered.
Where Winds Meet takes place during the twilight of the Ten Kingdoms - the era in Chinese history when an entire dynasty could crumble in a blink of an eye. The melody of “The Beautiful Lady Yu” heralded the end of the road for the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Li Yu ruled the world as the emperor but was better known as the Immortal King of Poetry. It was his love for poetry, not power, that eventually lost him the war and saw him become a prisoner of Song. During the three years of incarceration, Li yearned for his country and lover incessantly. After realizing his fate lay in a cup of poisoned wine, he turned those longings into the masterpiece called “The Beautiful Lady Yu”.
Where Winds Meet is set during the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, during an era of war and conflict. The player takes on the role of a wandering swordsman, who grew up during this brutal age, and used their martial arts and sword fighting skills to survive against countless foes. The player is thrust into this ruthless world, and they must choose between upholding their code of morals, in order to protect the innocent and fight for justice or live only for themselves and risk the land slipping further into chaos and despair.
In Where Winds Meet, the swordsman is a master of the blade. The combat involves fast-paced Wuxia-style battles, where the player can counter enemy blows, use Tai Chi to reflect their attacks, or use acrobatics to slip through their guard and strike them from all angles. The player also has access to a number of martial arts skills and ranged weapons, allowing them to break free from one fighting style and use a mixture of abilities to defeat their enemies, creating their own approach to combat. The world of Where Winds Meet is also home to different wild animals and supernatural creatures, who will require their own unique approach in battle. The swordsman’s martial arts skills can also be used to explore the beautiful world of Where Winds Meet, allowing them to scale walls, leap across rooftops, and sprint across the waves. The player also has their trusty steed, which will swiftly carry him across the gorgeous landscape.
NetEase Games and Everstone Studio revealed a major new theme region, Hutuo, for Where Winds Meet, launching on November 13, 2026.
Thrusting players into an active, mud-and-steel warzone, Hutuo delivers the game’s most gripping narrative arc to date - challenging players with the ultimate test of ‘Xia’ (the martial code of justice and guardianship): when the ruling powers fail and all hope seems lost, do you obey a crumbling throne, or rise alongside sworn companions to shield the innocent and defend your homeland?
Alongside this dramatic story climax, the update introduces Yuen Woo-ping’s Dual Spears Martial Art, formidable new combat trials, two tactical board game modes, and the game’s 1st Global Anniversary with the most generous rewards since launch.
Defining ‘Xia’ in the Crucible of War: The Hutuo Battlefield
"We reached an unforgettable milestone this August when the game welcomed over 100 million players worldwide. Being the first to bring an authentic Wuxia open world to the global stage was deeply humbling, proving that the spirit of this genre speaks to hearts across every border." said Eric, head of publishing for Where Winds Meet. “Yet our vision goes beyond martial choreography. With Hutuo, we wanted to push the genre into rarely charted territory: full-scale war. While a lone swordsman’s blade seems almost powerless against the crushing tide of armies, this chapter explores how the spirit of ‘Xia’ shines brightest in the torrent of conflict - revealing a universal heroism of sacrifice and guardianship that resonates across all cultures.”
This vision comes to a head at the battle of Zhongdu Bridge. Stepping into a desperate historical crossroads where northern invaders surge across shattered borders, players stand between waves of displaced civilians and an unstoppable tide of steel. When loyalty and justice pull in opposite directions, how you answer that call captures the truest, most profound essence of righteousness and conviction.
To anchor this theme, Hutuo introduces an authentic, war-scarred frontier unlike anything seen in the game before. Through immersive environmental storytelling - from conflicted soldiers defying brutal orders to nameless folk sheltering refugees - players will experience the wartime Jianghu from varied perspectives, uncovering the enduring light and everyday bravery of ordinary lives in the darkest corners of history.
Key Gameplay Highlights in the Hutuo Update
- Fiercer Frontline Combat & World Bosses: Step into the Hutuo River Campaign to clash with Xiao Han, a fierce Khitan general empowered by Blood-forged Super Armor. Across the open world, track down and challenge two haunting new World Bosses tied to Hutuo’s past: Bingshen at Moonveil Knoll and the Khitan shaman Yelu Abuli.
- Directed by Yuen Woo-ping: The New Dual Spears Martial Art: Legendary action director Yuen Woo-ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) leads the choreography for the new Dual Spears style as the game’s Global Action Consultant. This dynamic martial art launching on Late November blends two complementary disciplines: Light Spears for relentless offensive firepower and Heavy Spears for stance-breaking counterattacks. Players can fluidly alternate between the two via a dedicated Dual-Weapon Skill to create seamless, high-tempo combo loops.
- Two New Board Game Modes: Beyond frontline combat, two brand-new tabletop modes offer a rich mix of casual and tactical gameplay. In Horse Racing Chess, players step onto the board as living pieces, rolling dice to race while encountering familiar Mystic Skills, and iconic scenes from their Jianghu journey. Meanwhile, Jianghu Tactics challenges players to build customized lineups through smart positioning, gear allocation, and round-by-round synergies.
1st Global Anniversary Rewards & Nov 2 Special Preview Stream
Coinciding with the arrival of Hutuo on November 13, Where Winds Meet will celebrate its 1st global Anniversary with the most generous in-game rewards since launch for both veteran swordsmen and newcomers.
For an early look at the Hutuo battlefield, gameplay deep-dives, and details about the Anniversary celebration, tune in to Where Winds Meet’s 1st Anniversary Special Preview Stream on November 2 (UTC) across official channels.
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Combat is an important part of Where Winds Meet, but there is far more to the game that just trading blows with enemies. The player can have their version of the swordsman take on different roles in the game world, such as becoming a doctor who saves lives, or becoming a merchant earning as much gold as possible. Where Winds Meet also has an expansive free-construction system, with over 600 authentic components that allow the player to build structures in the world and make it their own. The player can also choose to live freely and eschew these side-activities, in order to pursue the main story and face the most dangerous enemies in the realm.
Where Winds Meet offers an immersive open-world sandbox experience that has never been seen before, as the player chooses their own path to their destiny against the backdrop of ancient China. This is a tale of bloodshed, struggle, and sacrifice, but there is also hope, as the player can become the one who can bring about change in society. Where Winds Meet is all about giving players the freedom to tell their own story within its beautiful game world.
Key Features:
- Freely explore a vibrant ancient Chinese capital city: Unlike Qinghe’s rolling hills and open wilderness, Kaifeng is a bustling capital. With over one million square meters to discover, players are free to roam the city and experience its lively atmosphere at their own pace.
- Immersive story exploration: Where Winds Meet weaves its grand narrative through a scattered storytelling approach, fully integrated into its expansive world. In Kaifeng, players will experience sharp contrasts—from the luxury of Fanlou Golden Street to struggling slums, from grand palaces to the mysterious ghost market. Each area offers its own stories to uncover, whether through the main quest or by exploring off the beaten path.
- Experience thrilling and stylish combat: As they explore, players meet legendary figures, uncover heroic tales, and settle old rivalries through intense battles. Players can customize their characters and master a unique eastern combat system, unlocking and upgrading a wide variety of weapons and skills inspired by Wuxia martial arts.
- Explore Lively City Life: In Where Winds Meet, players can experience the vibrant bustle of ancient Kaifeng, with over 10,000 NPCs inhabiting the city. NPCs can be friends, pickpocket targets, brawling opponents, witnesses to crimes, or the starting point for new adventures. Some may even entrust players with the key to their destiny, leading to entirely different endings.
- Engage in authentic ancient pastimes: Players can enjoy a range of classic Chinese activities—explore lively city streets, relax at bathhouses, watch traditional opera, and more. There are plenty of ways to experience the charm of everyday life.
- Shape the world with actions: The City changes in response to player choices. Abandoned wheat fields may flourish again, and rundown streets can become lively neighborhoods, all depending on how players interact with the world.
Where Winds Meet is available for Android, iOS, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam).
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