Pirate games are back in style, and this time, it’s not just a nostalgic nod. A new RPG called Windrose, formerly known as Crosswind, is now offering a free demo on Steam.
Inspired by both Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag and Valheim, this open-world survival game immerses players in the golden age of piracy. Objective: go from anonymous castaway to true legend of the seas, by facing formidable bosses, including Blackbeard himself.
Windrose, a free pirate RPG to try now on Steam
Available for free in demo version on Steam, Windrose presents itself as an ambitious survival RPG. From the first minutes, the player ends up on a deserted beach, without equipment, forced to gather resources to survive. The game follows the classic loop of the genre: collecting, crafting, improving equipment and exploring. Forging your first improved cutlass, securing shelter, facing marine or land enemies, everything comes together smoothly. The demo also reveals a notable visual overhaul compared to the first alpha phases tested in 2025. Marine environments gain density, while procedurally generated islands offer unpredictable situations.
An assumed mix between Valheim and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag
The comparison is not exaggerated. Windrose combines the survival and building mechanics of Valheim with the maritime atmosphere and naval combat popularized by Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. The player can go to sea, attack other ships, plunder cargo and reinforce his crew. The clashes are not limited to sword fights. Naval battles play a central role in progression. This fusion creates a balance between exploration, basic management and pure action. The main quests structure the adventure and give a real narrative framework to the experience.
Boss fights and pirate empire-oriented progression
Windrose is more than just a sandbox. Boss fights punctuate the adventure, offering major challenges. Among them is Blackbeard, presented as one of the central antagonists of the demo. Progression also involves developing a base, improving equipment and building a crew capable of surviving on the high seas. Each island explored can become an opportunity or a trap. The risk and reward system heightens the tension. Attacking a heavily armed ship can yield significant loot, but defeat means loss of valuable resources.
A free demo that could take up your free time
Steam regularly hosts free demos, but Windrose stands out for its ambition. The project, led by the Crosswind team, aims for a complete open world RPG combining online cooperation and multiplayer. The demo gives a solid overview of this vision. Maritime exploration, crafting, combat, progression and dynamic events make up a coherent whole. For fans of pirate universes and survival games, the trial is available free of charge. An opportunity to discover if this mix between Black Flag and Valheim can become the next benchmark of the genre.