Windward Horizon Review – A Worthy and Chill Sequel

The initial announcement for Windward Horizon got me pretty excited by promising a sequel that would not only retain the charm of the 2015 original Windward. Now 10 years on, this sequel has expanded its scope with a procedurally generated world, deep RPG systems, and seamless co-op multiplayer with up to 100 players. It’s clear that developer Tasharen Entertainment has mostly delivered on their vision with some additional mini games and clear learnings from the first game.

The core gameplay loop remains with a blend of trading, questing, and combat and is where the game shines. Where the original Windward was praised for its simple, satisfying loop, Windward Horizon elevates it with a dynamic and expansive sea filled with diverse biomes, from frozen wastelands to sun-drenched archipelagos. While there is still a plethora of simple fetch and escort quests, the game’s various systems feed into each other well.

The introduction of a richer story with named characters highlighted in yellow in the quest list, and multi-part faction questlines provided a sense of purpose that was less present in the first game. As you trade goods between provinces, you build reputation with factions, which in turn unlocks new quests and provides buffs for your ship. This makes even the most routine tasks feel like they contribute to a larger strategic goal.

Among the additions, a range of mini games like diving on a shipwreck with limited oxygen and some question mark items to investigate at the bottom, or a fishing minigame initially proved engaging. Early on and without crew upgrades, these are ordinarily unable to be completed however if you pick up a quest that involves these activities, you are given access to complete these minigames for the duration of the quest. This design choice keeps the experience welcoming, ensuring no content is blocked or slips away simply because you’re missing an item or upgrade.

The co-op experience, which was a major selling point in the announcement, is phenomenal. With small, medium and large maps available for fresh games, with the latter able to support up to 100 players, feels less like a tacked-on feature and more like the intended way to play. This allows you to work together with mates or other players if you open to the public to take on challenging pirate armadas or manage a complex, multi-town economy that elevates the gameplay beyond the original.

Combat, a key element of any naval game, feels both accessible and rewarding, moving beyond the original’s mechanics. The game avoids the complexity of true sailing simulators, opting for a more arcade-style approach that keeps the action moving. Wind direction was always a pain, and with the new night brightness mechanics, makes it a little challenging to sail. However, what elevates Windward Horizon is the overhauled combat system which introduces a new armour mechanic requiring players to first take down a ship’s regenerating armour before they can damage its hull.

The ship customisation is a vast improvement, and I was looting new ship icons and sail colours from the outset. From positioning cannons and armour within the ship type’s grid inventory, to allocating crew for various bonuses, the level of detail is impressive and allows for a huge variety of builds. The new talent trees for offense, defence, and support puts the power into the player’s hands that allows you to define your own playstyle. Whether you want to be a fast-moving trader, a powerful battle-sloop, or a diplomacy-focused vessel, the choice is yours. While some quests can be a bit repetitive, the overall experience is one of rewarding progression and freedom.

Overall, Windward Horizon successfully captures the feeling of freedom the developer promised in this sequel. It’s a chill game that respects your time but also offers incredible depth for those who want to dive in. It’s a fantastic open-world naval RPG that not only meets but often exceeds the high expectations I had for it, proving to be a worthy and substantial sequel.

This review utilised a key provided by Mark Allen PR and Windward Horizon is available on Steam.

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