Project Windless has been officially revealed by KRAFTON, introducing a new single-player open-world action RPG inspired by the celebrated Korean fantasy novel series The Bird That Drinks Tears.
Announced during Sony’s State of Play showcase, the game is currently in development for PC and consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S), with KRAFTON Montréal Studio leading production on what looks set to be an ambitious myth-driven adventure.
Rather than adapting the novels directly, Project Windless explores a distant past in the same universe, a time when legends were still forming and the world itself was defined by conflict between powerful races and kingdoms. It’s a bold narrative approach that gives the developers room to tell an original story while still drawing on the rich mythology of the source material.
A World Shaped By Myth And War
Set roughly 1,500 years before the events of the novels, Project Windless unfolds across a vast fantasy world inhabited by four intelligent races: Humans, Rekon, Nhaga, and Tokkebi. Each brings its own culture, beliefs, and conflicts to a continent-spanning war that players will influence through exploration, combat, and diplomacy.
The game places players in the role of the Hero King, a powerful warrior of the Rekon race. These towering, bird-like beings are known for their strength and ferocity, and the Hero King stands at the centre of a growing conflict that will shape the future of the world.
Armed with twin star-forged blades, players will fight across dynamic battlefields, confront enormous creatures, and forge alliances between rival factions. The story is designed to evolve based on player decisions, allowing actions in combat and exploration to ripple outward and influence the wider war.
Real-Time Combat On A Massive Scale
One of the most striking elements of Project Windless is its focus on large-scale battles happening in real time. Using what KRAFTON calls “Mass Technology,” the game can simulate enormous clashes involving thousands of soldiers alongside towering monsters.
Instead of directing troops from a distance, players are placed directly into the action, cutting through enemies while helping to turn the tide of battle. This blend of personal action combat and large-scale warfare is intended to create a sense of truly participating in legendary conflicts rather than simply observing them.
Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game aims to combine cinematic presentation with responsive combat and exploration across a player-driven open world.
A Premium Single-Player RPG Experience
Project Windless is being developed as a premium single-player experience, deliberately avoiding multiplayer or live-service elements. The focus instead is on storytelling, worldbuilding, and player agency.
Project Windless Announcement Summary
- Project Windless revealed during Sony’s State of Play showcase
- New open-world action RPG from KRAFTON Montréal Studio
- Set in the fantasy universe of The Bird That Drinks Tears novel series
- Story takes place around 1,500 years before the original books
- Players control the Rekon Hero King in a continent-spanning conflict
- Features large-scale real-time battles powered by “Mass Technology”
- Built using Unreal Engine 5
- Currently in development for PC and consoles
A Legend In The Making
It’s still early in development, but Project Windless already stands out thanks to its unusual fantasy inspiration and emphasis on player-driven storytelling. The combination of Korean mythological influences, massive battlefield encounters, and a focus on shaping history through gameplay gives this reveal real potential.
For RPG fans looking for something different from the usual fantasy worlds, Project Windless is definitely one to keep on the radar.
