The wait is nearly over! The long-awaited sequel to Tasharen's Windward, originally released on Steam in 2015, is finally getting a sequel, and it's coming sooner than you think! [previewyoutube=CEM8PzT0EZQ;full][/previewyoutube] Windward Horizon aims to improve every aspect of the original, such as adding lore to the game, a robust economy system that governs growth, fully configurable internal ship layouts with adjacency bonuses and penalties for interesting builds and many, many new skills to complement the expanded talent trees. Better still, anyone that owns Windward will be able to try Windward Horizon next month for free, in advance of the game's launch later this year! Keep your eyes peeled for more details on this coming in a few weeks, but in the meantime you can add Windward Horizon to your wish list here on Steam in order to stay informed: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2665460/Windward_Horizon/ If you're extra curious, can find even more information in Tasharen's discord and follow the game's development by joining discord.gg/tasharen and choosing the Windward role in the #permissions channel, which will allow you to see the #windward_horizon channel. A new player's guide to the game can be found pinned there going over many of the new things you will be able to discover next month! But, until then... :)

[ 2024-04-18 16:00:32 CET ] [ Original post ]

Designed from the start to be a fully procedural co-op game, Windward can be played by yourself, but it truly comes alive when playing with friends. Start by generating a procedural world that will be unique to you, design your own custom faction then sail forward fighting pirates, trading with towns, doing quests or simply exploring -- it's up to you how you want to play.

As you sail about you will find resources you can make use of, upgrades for your ship, new towns that will ask your assistance, and as you get farther out from the starting area -- various pirates that will attempt to take what's rightfully yours. Combat experience will let you unlock new talents and abilities to make that particular line of work easier.

As you take up consignments with towns and fulfill their production shortages, the towns will grow, offering more quests, more resources and better items. As the towns continue to grow they will offer you a choice to upgrade your ship itself. Would you prefer a fast Schooner to explore the world, or a heavy Galleon that's able to take up 5 consignments at once? Or perhaps a massive Ship of the Line to take the fight with the pirates to their heartlands?

As you explore the world and get farther away from your starting area, the game will become progressively more difficult -- but so will the rewards. Throughout all of this you can expect the pirates to put up a fair fight, as the AI is bound by the same rules as the player: they have sight, and must explore the map before they can know what's there.

Speaking of AI, build a fearsome reputation and the AI will respect you, even fear you -- avoiding you if at all possible. Some friendly AI will even choose to follow you and assist you in your own adventures.

And so, on the topic of adventures -- ready to have yours?