Yo ho, the crew’s calling and the tide’s turning!
One of the standout demos from February’s Steam Next Fest is finally locking in its next move. After building serious momentum during the showcase, co-op pirate survival game Windrose is now set to launch into early access next week on 14 April, backed by a massive wishlist milestone.
Windrose
Release Date: 14 April, 2026 (Early Access)
Platform: PC via Steam or Epic Games
Developer: Windrose Crew
When is Windrose releasing in early access?
The release date was confirmed during the recent Triple-I showcase, where developer Windrose Crew revealed that Windrose will arrive in early access on 14 April. This follows an earlier update from the team, where they said they needed more time to cook before committing to a launch date.
That extra time hasn’t slowed its momentum. The studio confirmed that Windrose has now surpassed 1.5 million wishlists on Steam, up from one million in February, placing it among the platform’s most wishlisted titles according to SteamDB estimates.
What kind of game is Windrose?
Windrose Crew describes the game as a spin on the “classic ‘build, craft, survive’ formula,” set in an alt-history Age of Piracy. It features “vast procedurally generated biomes filled with hidden mysteries, hand-crafted dungeons and quests,” combining survival systems with exploration across both land and sea.
Playable solo or in co-op with up to four players, Windrose focuses on a PvE experience. Players can gather resources, build bases, hire NPCs, and grow their own settlement, alongside “intense combat and engaging exploration on land and sea.”
Gosugamers had the chance to play the demo a while back, and we said that “this in indie gem is shaping up to be a promising title”, with plenty of gameplay elements that “feel reminiscent of Sea of Thieves, Rust, and other pirate-themed adventures.”
Where can you play the Windrose demo?
For those yet to try it, the demo that drove its surge in popularity remains available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players can jump in ahead of launch, or wishlist the game on either platform.
