Everstone Studio is expanding the Wuxia ARPG with new world bosses and tabletop modes, and is celebrating its first global anniversary with over 100 million players.
NetEase Games and Everstone Studio have unveiled a new themed region for their Wuxia ARPG Where Winds Meet. The region, called Hutuo, launches on November 13.
Hutuo throws you right into a bustling warzone defined by mud and steel. The developers promise the “most gripping story arc in the game to date” and challenge the community with the ultimate test of the “Xia” (the martial arts code of justice and protection).
Yuen Woo-ping on Board: The 100-Million Milestone and the Vision of Total War
“In addition to this dramatic story climax, the update also introduces the ‘Dual Spears’ martial art choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping,” the announcement states. “This is accompanied by thrilling new combat trials, two tactical board game modes, and the first global anniversary event, which offers the most generous rewards since launch.”
“In August, we reached an unforgettable milestone: over 100 million players worldwide have immersed themselves in our game,” explains Eric, Head of Publishing for Where Winds Meet. “It fills us with great humility to bring the first authentic wuxia open world to the global stage. This proves that the spirit of this genre resonates with people across all borders.”
“Our vision, however, goes far beyond mere combat choreography. With Hutuo, we wanted to push the genre into largely unexplored territory: total war. The blade of a lone swordsman seems almost powerless against the overwhelming might of entire armies. Yet it is precisely in this conflict that this chapter reveals how the spirit of the ‘Xia’ shines brightest. It reveals a universal heroism—marked by self-sacrifice and the will to protect—that resonates across all cultures.“
Bloody boss battles and tabletop tactics: Here’s what’s in the Hutuo Update
An overview of the Hutuo Update’s key features:
- Tougher Frontline Battles & World Bosses: Dive into the Hutuo River Campaign and cross swords with Xiao Han. The merciless Khitan general relies on his powerful “Blood-forged Super Armor” in battle. In the open world, you’ll also track down two sinister new world bosses closely tied to Hutuo’s past: Bingshen at Moonveil Knoll and the Khitan shaman Yelu Abuli.
- Directed by Yuen Woo-ping – The new Dual Spears martial art: Directing and action legend Yuen Woo-ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) serves as Global Action Consultant and choreographs the new Dual Spears style. This dynamic martial art arrives in late November and combines two perfectly complementary disciplines. With the Light Spears, you unleash a relentless barrage of attacks, while with the Heavy Spears, you break your enemies’ stances and deliver devastating counters. Using a special Dual-Weapon skill, you switch fluidly between both variants, conjuring seamless, fast-paced combo loops on screen.
- Two new board game modes: Away from the front lines, two brand-new tabletop modes offer a successful blend of casual and tactical gameplay. In Horse Racing Chess, you step onto the game board as living pieces. You roll the dice to move across the board, encountering familiar Mystic Skills and iconic scenes from your Jianghu journey. Jianghu Tactics, on the other hand, challenges your strategic skills: Craft custom lineups and use clever positioning, the right gear, and synergies from round to round to outmaneuver your opponents.
With the launch of the update, the game is also celebrating its first anniversary. To mark the occasion, the studio promises “the most generous in-game rewards since launch,” but has not yet provided any details.
