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NetEase Wuxia 'Where Winds Meet' Hits 9M Players, Mobile Next

NetEase Wuxia 'Where Winds Meet' Hits 9M Players, Mobile Next
Gameplay screenshot of NetEase's Wuxia action RPG Where Winds Meet

The gaming world is buzzing as NetEase's ambitious new Wuxia adventure, Where Winds Meet, has achieved a monumental milestone, attracting over 9 million players within just two weeks of its launch. This free-to-play open-world action-RPG debuted on PC and PlayStation 5 on November 14th, setting an impressive precedent even before its highly anticipated mobile iteration.

Rapid Ascent and Player Engagement

Where Winds Meet, developed by Everstone Games and published by NetEase, has quickly established itself as a significant contender in the gaming landscape. The title's rapid player acquisition underscores its appeal, drawing in millions with its expansive Wuxia setting. On PC, the game recorded a peak concurrent player count of 251,000 on Steam, although PlayStation 5 player figures remain undisclosed by Sony. The game's success extends to its critical reception among players, with over 70,000 Steam reviews submitted, more than 89% of which are positive, indicating strong community satisfaction.

Expanding Horizons: Mobile Launch Imminent

The initial success on PC and PlayStation 5 is just the beginning, as Where Winds Meet is set to broaden its reach significantly with a mobile release for iOS and Android devices on December 12th. This expansion is poised to introduce the vibrant world of Jianghu to an even wider audience, promising a truly portable experience. Players can look forward to seamless integration across platforms, with features including:

  • Full cross-play functionality
  • Shared progress, allowing players to pick up their journey on any device
  • The promise of "a portable Jianghu in the palm of your hand"

This cross-platform strategy aims to provide unparalleled accessibility, ensuring that the adventure is never more than a tap away.

Critical Perspective

While player engagement metrics are overwhelmingly positive, the critical reception for Where Winds Meet has been more mixed. IGN's review, for instance, awarded the game a 6/10. The critique highlighted the game's strong thematic understanding of the Wuxia genre but noted that its attempt to incorporate numerous diverse elements ultimately prevented any single aspect from reaching its full potential. Despite this, the game's commercial and player-base performance demonstrates a compelling appeal that resonates with a vast audience.