The Jianghu expands once more. After the conclusion of the events in the Hexi region, free-to-play open world action-RPG Where Winds Meet’s next free expansion adds the coastal region of Qingzhou.
The new lands “where misted pine peaks meet the surging ocean” is a more peaceful affair as it introduces a new sect that’s all about non-fighting combat, a weapon type more suited for support roles as well as new bosses that can be found in the new region.
First up is the Inkbound Order sect. This sect prefers to settle score via debates, done through the A Duel Of Wits mini-game as its choice of PVP. This is the card-based mini-game that you can engage in already, but now you can gang up with fellow scholars who only talk all day expressed in-game as a card game.
The Inkbound Order also allows players to experience academy life.
For those not willing to switch sects, the Inkbound Order is a more progressive order in that it welcomes members of other sects to partake in their activities as guest scholars.
The new weapon type is The Ribbon Drum, which fuses “martial arts with theatrical rhythm and classical court dance.” The ribbon can strike, bind, apply Knockback and Silence, so its best use case is to control the battlefield rather than outright DPS. The rhythmic drum beats also confers combat buffs, making it even more suited for support roles in co-op PVE battles.
Scattered around the open world of Qingzhou are three new bosses. One of them is called the Tidewatcher, who walks on bamboo stilts and “strikes with operatic music.” The others are Old Raftsman “who guides timer rafts along river currents” and Zhu Yinghan who “settles disputes through high-speed shuttlecock kicking skills.” Who’s up for long badminton rally of parries?
The new bosses are featured in the reveal trailer.
While the boss fights look insane as ever, expect a more relaxed experience in your time in Qingzhou. The locals here are a friendly bunch that will even guide you to where you need to go or even fight alongside you. Eastern Peak will be unlocked on October 15, while the isle of Penlai will open a little later on October 29.
The new update for Where Winds Meet will go live on October 15. Where Winds Meet is out now on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S and mobile. Check out our review of the initial launch of Where Winds Meet here.