With Hexi, Everstone Studios is not offering a simple cosmetic addition. The expansion introduces an entire zone structured around three major narrative chapters: Jade Gate Pass, Liangzhou and Qinchuan.
The Jade Gate Pass opens the ball with a huge desert area, swept by sandstorms and dotted with forgotten fortresses. Liangzhou focuses more on vast green plains, contrasting with the arid lands of the first chapter. Finally, Qinchuan takes players to rugged mountains where ancient trails and millennia-old ruins hide dangers and secrets.
In total, this expansion offers three new major maps bringing together nearly 20 interconnected sub-regions. For a free title, this content density remains particularly impressive and confirms the studio’s ambition.
11 new bosses and a clearly raised challenge
The expansion doesn’t just make the map bigger. It also introduces 11 new bosses with varied mechanics. Some favor ranged combat, others impose close-range confrontations requiring perfect mastery of dodges, timing and endurance management.
Added to this are seven new Heirlooms of Jianghu, enriching the possibilities for progression and customization. Experienced players will see this as an opportunity to refresh their build, while newcomers will benefit from a smoother learning curve thanks to redesigned balancing. The dozens of promised side quests should also significantly extend the lifespan of the title.
A new weapon and redesigned combat styles
Among the most anticipated additions is the Heng Blade, a sword inspired by the ring weapons of ancient China. Designed for fast and aggressive fights, it introduces a dynamic style favoring short but powerful sequences.
The Bamboocut – Dust style, on the other hand, focuses on long-range damage and area attacks. It encourages mobility and strategic grouping of enemies to maximize damage. This approach offers an interesting alternative to the more direct styles already present in the game. In April, a new martial path called Stonesplit – Force will complete the available arsenal, encouraging players to further experiment with their configurations.
Gradual deployment until May 2026
Hexi will be published in three stages in order to maintain interest over several months:
- March 6, 2026: Jade Gate Pass
- April 2026: Liangzhou
- May 2026: Qinchuan
This episodic model keeps players engaged over time, with each chapter bringing its share of narrative content, challenges and exclusive rewards.
A free-to-play model that impresses
Where Winds Meet confirms with Hexi its ambition in the AAA free RPG market. Where some titles charge a high price for their expansions, Everstone Studios chooses to offer substantial content at no extra cost. This strategy could permanently strengthen the popularity of the game on PlayStation 5 and PC. If the pace of updates continues, the RPG could well become an essential reference for ambitious and narrative free-to-play.