If there is one thing you can count on in the gaming world, it is Yahtzee Croshaw delivering a blisteringly fast, cynicism-fueled breakdown of the latest hype. This week on Fully Ramblomatic, the target is Where Winds Meet, the sprawling open-world Wuxia RPG that has been generating buzz for its sheer scale. But according to Yahtzee, that scale might be its biggest problem, describing the experience as a “historical martial arts fantasy Marvel” that tries to be every game genre at once [web:195].
The ‘Kitchen Sink’ Design Philosophy
One of the core critiques in the review is the game’s “ambiguous maximalism.” Where Winds Meet doesn’t just want to be an RPG; it wants to be a survival game, a city builder, a detective sim, and a martial arts action game all rolled into one. Yahtzee points out that while this sounds impressive on paper, in practice, it feels like a “jack of all trades, master of none” [web:192][web:195].
Imagine playing Sekiro, but suddenly you have to manage a SimCity economy while engaging in Genshin Impact-style exploration. For some players, this is a dream come true—a living world where you can do anything. But for a critic like Yahtzee, who values tight, cohesive design, it comes across as a chaotic jumble of mechanics that dilute the core experience.
Localization Woes and ‘Sappy’ Writing
It wouldn’t be a Yahtzee review without some jabs at the writing. He describes the game’s tone as having “sappy romance” and dialogue that feels ripped straight from a “generic romcom from 2007” [web:195]. This is compounded by localization issues that seem to plague the Western release.
- Lip Sync Issues: Characters’ mouths often don’t match the English audio, creating a jarring disconnect during serious cutscenes [web:200].
- Awkward Phrasing: The translation can feel stiff, losing the poetic nuance of the original Wuxia setting [web:190][web:194].
- Voice Acting: Inconsistent performances distract from the otherwise beautiful historical setting [web:186].
A Beautiful But Brainless Breeze?
Despite the harsh criticism, there is an acknowledgment of the game’s visual splendor. The world is undeniably pretty, offering a “brainless breeze” through atmospheric landscapes that can be genuinely relaxing if you turn your brain off [web:186].
However, this relaxation is often interrupted by the game’s “rough technical edges.” From UI clutter to janky interactions, the polish doesn’t always match the ambition. It raises the question: Is a game “good” if it offers a thousand things to do, but only half of them feel finished?
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Stunning Wuxia art style and atmosphere | Overwhelms with too many shallow mechanics |
| Incredible freedom of movement (wall running, flying) | “Sappy” generic dialogue and romance |
| A truly massive open world to explore | Technical jank and poor lip-sync |
Final Verdict: Style Over Substance?
Ultimately, Yahtzee’s take seems to align with a common sentiment: Where Winds Meet is a mile wide but an inch deep. It is a “historical martial arts fantasy Marvel” movie in game form—flashy, expensive, and entertaining in bursts, but perhaps lacking the soul of the classics it tries to emulate. If you can look past the jank and the cringey dialogue, there is a fun playground here. Just don’t expect it to change your life.
FAQs About Where Winds Meet
What is ‘Fully Ramblomatic’?
Fully Ramblomatic is the new game review series by Yahtzee Croshaw, created after he left The Escapist. It is the spiritual successor to his famous “Zero Punctuation” series [web:185][web:187].
Is Where Winds Meet free to play?
Yes, the game operates on a free-to-play model with optional microtransactions, similar to Genshin Impact, though it leans heavily into MMO elements.
Can you play single-player only?
Yes, the game offers a substantial single-player story campaign, but it is deeply integrated with multiplayer and MMO systems that you will eventually encounter [web:191].
What platforms is it available on?
Where Winds Meet is available on PC and PlayStation 5. There is currently no version for Xbox Series X/S or Nintendo Switch [web:194].
Is the combat like Sekiro?
It draws inspiration from Sekiro‘s parry-heavy combat and posture systems, but it is more forgiving and mixes in magical abilities and aerial maneuvers typical of the Wuxia genre [web:191].
Conclusion
Yahtzee’s reviews are always a litmus test for a game’s staying power. While Where Winds Meet might survive on its visuals and casual appeal, it seems destined to be remembered as a chaotic experiment rather than a masterpiece. But hey, sometimes a chaotic experiment is exactly what you want on a Friday night.