Fans of pirate adventures have something new to look forward to as developer Crosswind Crew has officially announced its upcoming free-to-play MMO, Crosswind. Set in the Golden Age of Piracy in the 1700s, Crosswind places players in the role of a betrayed freelance captain stranded after a botched job. What starts as a personal journey of survival and revenge soon expands into a broader struggle involving warring empires, rival pirate clans, and supernatural forces.
A Deep Survival Experience
Crosswind aims to offer a robust survival experience, allowing players to explore diverse biomes, gather resources, and construct shelters that can be upgraded into fully functional outposts. The game also includes crew recruitment, enabling players to speed up resource collection and base management.
Combat is another key feature, with a mix of melee weapons and firearms at the player’s disposal. Players can dodge, parry, and strike enemies using a dynamic combat system that blends tactical engagements with fluid movement.
Naval Combat and Exploration
True to its pirate theme, Crosswind offers both land and sea adventures. Players can captain various types of ships, from small, swift cutters to massive galleons. Naval battles include long-range cannon warfare, boarding enemy vessels, and even launching assaults on coastal forts. The game also embraces classic pirate elements such as singing sea shanties and engaging in high-seas raids.
The MMO aspect of the game includes multiplayer activities such as faction rivalries, PvE challenges, and large-scale PvP battles. Players can trade, raid settlements, and establish their own pirate empire, adding a strategic layer to the experience.
Playtest Now Available
For those eager to try Crosswind, the developers are currently running a playtest that includes the first story arc, which offers 30-40 hours of gameplay. The playtest also features three biomes, three playable ships, a merchant vessel, naval and ground combat, and an early prototype of the Tortuga social hub. Interested players can request access via Steam.
System Requirements
The developers have provided preliminary system requirements, noting that optimizations will continue as the game progresses.
Minimum:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 6800
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 30 GB SSD recommended
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 30 GB SSD recommended
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
What’s Next?
With Crosswind still in development, the developers plan to refine the mechanics and expand the content. More ships, biomes, and story elements are expected to be added as the game moves toward full release.
For now, players can set sail in the playtest and get a first glimpse of the high-seas adventure Crosswind has to offer.
