Windward is an action-filled multiplayer sandbox game that puts you in control of a ship sailing the high seas of a large procedurally-generated world.
Players easily control their ships, able to speed up, slow down, and steer even directly into the wind, though at a slower pace. This accessibility makes navigating the procedurally-generated world a pleasant and intuitive experience.
Combat is a central focus, with ships automatically firing cannons at nearby enemies. However, players can utilize special abilities to gain an edge, such as hurling flaming barrels or improving shot accuracy. Battles often involve dynamic clashes between multiple vessels, requiring skillful maneuvering and ability timing to emerge victorious.
As players earn experience and acquire resources from their adventures, they can unlock new ship types, equip better gear, and invest skill points into various talent trees. These trees govern attributes like speed, durability, cargo capacity, and combat prowess, allowing for a robust sense of progression and ship customization.
The procedurally-generated world is divided into regions, each with their own towns, resources, and pirate presence. Players can choose to align with one of several factions, each with unique strengths. As players help towns and fight pirates, the world dynamically reacts, with settlements growing and factions vying for control.
While the game can be enjoyed solo, the cooperative and multiplayer modes are where the experience truly shines. Players can join persistent servers and work together with others to build up their faction, complete quests, and defend against pirate attacks. The game's scaling mechanics ensure players of different skill levels can contribute meaningfully to group efforts, adding an extra layer of depth and emergent gameplay.