KRAFTON Announces Project Windless: Open-World Action RPG Details

Alright, gamers, let's talk about a new contender that just dropped on our radar during Sony’s recent State of Play showcase: KRAFTON’s Project Windless. For those of us who appreciate a deep, single-player epic, this one looks like it could be a real game-changer.

A Bold New Fantasy On The Horizon

KRAFTON, with their Montréal Studio at the helm, is swinging for the fences with Project Windless, an open-world action RPG inspired by the celebrated Korean fantasy novel series, The Bird That Drinks Tears. What’s immediately exciting is their approach: this isn't a direct adaptation. Instead, they're taking us back about 1,500 years before the books' events, to a period where legends were still raw and the world was forged in the fires of conflict. This gives the developers ample room to craft an original narrative while still tapping into a rich, underexplored mythology.

Stepping into a World of Myth and War

In Project Windless, players will command the Hero King, a formidable warrior of the Rekon race – think towering, bird-like beings known for their strength. We're talking a sprawling fantasy world inhabited by four intelligent races: Humans, Rekon, Nhaga, and Tokkebi, each bringing their own distinct culture and beef to a continent-wide war. Our actions, from exploration to combat and even diplomacy, are set to directly influence this massive conflict. Equipped with twin star-forged blades, we’ll be shaping history on the battlefield, forging alliances, and taking down colossal creatures.

Real-Time Carnage, Mass Technology Style

Where Project Windless truly aims to distinguish itself is in its combat scale. KRAFTON is touting "Mass Technology" to simulate enormous, real-time battles featuring thousands of soldiers alongside gargantuan monsters. Forget being a general dictating from a map; here, we’re knee-deep in the action, directly impacting the tide of war with every swing. This isn’t just personal action combat; it’s an integrated experience designed to make you feel like a pivotal force in truly legendary engagements. Built on Unreal Engine 5, we expect nothing less than stunning visuals combined with fluid, responsive gameplay across its player-driven open world.

A Return to Premium Single-Player RPG Roots

Perhaps the most refreshing news for veteran gamers is KRAFTON’s commitment to a premium, single-player experience. In an industry increasingly saturated with live-service titles and mandatory multiplayer, Project Windless is deliberately sidestepping those trends. The focus here is squarely on narrative, deep worldbuilding, and player agency. This is a game for those who crave a rich story to get lost in, without the distractions of grind walls or battle passes.

It’s still early days for Project Windless, but our team at In Game News believes this title has serious potential. Its unique Korean mythological roots, combined with ambitious large-scale battles and a strong emphasis on player-driven storytelling, make it a definite contender. For RPG fans burnt out on the same old Western fantasy tropes, keep Project Windless firmly on your radar – it could be the breath of fresh air we've been waiting for.