Steam: Pirate survival demo offers six hours of gameplay – 6,000 players and 94% positive reviews two days after launch

Windrose was originally announced under the name Crosswind and was planned as a free-to-play MMO set in a pirate-themed world, with a strong focus on PvP and live service features. In November, however, the project shifted in a new direction. Rather than continuing as an MMO, the game now focuses on a more streamlined survival experience with an optional offline mode and co-op for up to four players. In short, it moves away from heavy PvP and places greater emphasis on treasure hunting, exploration, and storytelling.

The story is set around the year 1700. The main antagonist is Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. In the game’s version of events, he has made a pact with the devil and now commands an undead fleet. The British Navy has been wiped out, and Tortuga stands as the last stronghold against his forces. The player survives a devastating attack thanks to a mysterious artifact and washes up on a remote island with one clear objective: revenge.

The survival mechanics are inspired by Valheim. There is no traditional hunger or thirst system. Instead, food increases health, stamina, and combat power. Well-prepared meals can give players a noticeable advantage in battle. Base building has received particular praise. Structures snap neatly into place, elements can be duplicated quickly, and construction feels smooth and intuitive. Exploration plays a central role, both on land and at sea. The combat system includes parrying, dodging, and ranged attacks. However, some reviews suggest that it still requires further refinement.

A promising demo

On February 17, the developers at Windrose Crew released a demo for Windrose as part of the Steam Next Fest, offering up to six hours of gameplay. Players can explore the first three islands of the archipelago, gather resources, build a base, and unlock their first ship. At the time of writing, data from SteamDB shows a peak of nearly 6,200 concurrent players. The demo has also received more than 400 reviews, 94% of which are positive. Compatibility with the Steam Deck (currently priced at $600 on Amazon) is listed as “Unknown.”