New Pirate Survival Game Might Be the Game Skull and Bones Wanted to Be

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When Ubisoft’s CEO called Skull and Bones a “AAAA” game, many people questioned it, and for good reason. The game ultimately felt like a simplified version of Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag – it had good ship battles and looked okay, but lacked the complexity needed for a truly captivating experience. Luckily, a new independent game called Windrose might finally deliver the pirate adventure fans have been waiting for.

It’s unfortunate, considering how popular pirate games could be. Sea of Thieves showed that a pirate world with player-versus-player combat can be very successful, and many fans consider Assassin’s Creed 4 to be the best game in that series. Despite this, major game developers seem hesitant to invest in pirate themes, preferring more common ideas like Norse or Greek mythology. After Skull and Bones didn’t gain much traction, it’s doubtful we’ll see another big-budget pirate game anytime soon. However, there’s still hope, as Windrose looks promising and is definitely worth keeping an eye on for Steam players.

Windrose was once called Crosswind. The name was changed in November 2025.

Windrose Looks Primed to Offer the Pirate Fantasy that Skull and Bones Never Could

Discover a vast, ever-changing world where you can collect resources, construct buildings, and create items. Test your skills against tough bosses in challenging, yet accessible, combat inspired by the ‘Souls’ genre. Captain your own ship, engage in battles both on land and at sea, and enjoy the adventure alone or with friends.

The romantic idea of the privateer, though not always historically accurate, represents freedom and self-reliance. During a time of colonialism and powerful European nobles, pirates stood out as rebels – willing to fight for their beliefs and choosing a dangerous life at sea over the comforts of traditional society. This makes them ideal characters for video games.

Windrose aims to create a rich and imaginative pirate experience, set in a unique version of the Golden Age of Piracy. While players will enjoy classic pirate activities like sailing and exploring tropical islands, the game adds a supernatural twist. Expect to encounter creatures like zombie pirates and dangerous, carnivorous plants. This blend of realistic historical detail and fantastical elements gives Windrose a distinctive, almost artistic take on the legendary pirate life.

Windrose’s gameplay perfectly matches its alternate history setting and adventurous spirit. Players take command of various ships – from smaller frigates to larger galleons – and participate in naval battles, including ship-to-ship combat and attacks on coastal settlements. When fighting on land, players use weapons fitting the pirate theme, like pistols and cutlasses. Ultimately, Windrose fully embraces its pirate world, influencing everything from how you play to the game’s overall look and feel.

Valheim-Style Crafting and Survival Are Paramount to Windrose’s Gameplay Loop

Windrose stands out from other pirate games because it blends exciting adventure with in-depth survival and RPG elements. You’ll need to build, cook, and carefully manage your resources just to stay alive, and then grow your operations. Similar to games like Valheim, your base can expand from a simple shelter to a massive naval fortress with enough dedication. This means Windrose isn’t just about action – it’s also about being creative and planning strategically.

Windrose can be played solo or with other players.

It’ll be fascinating to see how building and crafting in Windblown connect to its RPG aspects. Creating bases and better equipment definitely feels like a form of role-playing. This emphasis on steady progress and getting stronger will also be apparent in the combat, which draws inspiration from games like Dark Souls.

Windrose Will Feature Souls Combat (Kind Of)

As a big fan of action RPGs, I’ve been following Windrose closely, and the developers are calling its combat “soulslite.” What that means, as I understand it, is that it takes inspiration from the Souls games – think deliberate combat, learning enemy patterns, and that satisfyingly challenging feel – but it’s not quite as punishing or complex as something like Lies of P. You’ll mostly be up close and personal with melee weapons that fit the game’s historical setting, though there are ranged options too. From what I’ve seen, though, ranged attacks seem more like helpful additions to the core melee fighting, rather than a whole separate way to play. Of course, they could surprise us! But here’s what I know about how Windrose borrows from the Souls style of combat…

  • Stamina-based melee combat
  • Parries
  • Dodge rolls
  • Small groups of enemies rather than large hordes
  • Slow, commitment-focused player attacks

From what we’ve seen, combat in Windrose seems realistic, but with occasional magical elements. Players will face tough monsters and can also add elemental powers to their weapons for a boost. We’ll likely get a better understanding of the combat system as more details about Windrose are released.

When Is Windrose Coming Out?

  • Windrose release date: TBD 2026 (early access)
  • Windrose platforms at launch: Windows/Steam

Windrose has a lot of potential, particularly with its unique focus on pirates, but it still needs to fully demonstrate its quality. The game was nominated for an award at the 2025 PC Gaming Show and is gaining popularity online, which is encouraging. Hopefully, Windrose will stand out when it’s released in early access, though the exact release date is still unknown.

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2026-01-04 16:05