New pirate MMO features soulslike combat and shows gameplay footage with first boss fight
Crosswind is a free-to-play pirate adventure that fuses survival, RPG and MMO elements. Set in an alternate pirate era, players take on the role of a stranded captain rebuilding a crew, commanding ships and facing off against dark forces. Expect a blend of exploration, crafting and land-sea battles alongside epic boss encounters.
The game takes a different approach to the MMO formula. Instead of a massive shared world filled with hundreds of players, each captain begins in a private instance – similar to games like Valheim or Enshrouded. These worlds can be explored solo or in co-op with friends. Traditional MMO features like faction wars, raids, world events and PvP zones are optional, catering mainly to players seeking extra challenges.
Crosswind’s combat system breaks away from genre norms. Unlike traditional MMOs like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV, which use tab targeting and auto-triggered abilities, Crosswind leans into a more Souls-like approach. Players engage in a mix of melee and ranged combat, with mechanics like dodge rolls, parries and buff items playing a key role. A first glimpse of this can be seen in the gameplay clip featuring the game’s first boss, "The Bosun", a hulking brute who guards his turf with explosives and swings a broken ship’s mast like a club.
Mixed opinions on Reddit
To accompany the release of the new gameplay clip, the developers shared a post on the r/MMORPG subreddit, offering more insight into the game. The response has been mixed but generally positive. Many users praised the game’s immersive pirate setting and were pleasantly surprised by both the presentation and the developers' dedication. The ambitious goal of creating a standalone pirate MMO was well received. The combat mechanics, weapon variety and story elements have sparked genuine interest, as seen in the community’s many detailed questions.
At the same time, some concerns have been raised. The use of the term "MMO" has sparked debate, as Crosswind centers around private worlds with optional online features. Several users suggested it might be more accurate to market the game as a “co-op survival game with MMO elements.” Others voiced worries about potential player limits per instance. Additionally, some users felt that the AI behavior of the boss enemy "Bosun" appeared too simplistic and predictable.
"Coming soon"
Crosswind doesn’t have an official release date yet, but its Steam page already lists it as “Coming soon,” raising hopes for a launch later this year. An early playtest has already taken place and future pirate captains can add the game to their wishlist now.
Source(s)
YouTube / Crosswind
