Krafton Montréal Studio has officially unveiled Project Windless, a new open-world action RPG in development for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. Set in the universe of the acclaimed Korean fantasy novel series The Bird That Drinks Tears, the game promises a darker, more tragic take on epic fantasy.
The announcement marks the first public reveal of a project the studio has reportedly been developing quietly for years.
A Fantasy Universe Unlike Traditional Western RPGs
Project Windless draws inspiration from The Bird That Drinks Tears, a celebrated Korean fantasy series known for its morally complex characters and ancient, lived-in world. According to the development team, the setting stood out immediately for being “stranger, darker, and more tragic” than typical Western fantasy worlds.
Rather than directly adapting the novels’ storyline, the game takes place over a thousand years before the events of the books. Players step into a pivotal era only briefly mentioned in the source material, where they shape the birth of a new kingdom amid rising tensions and fractured lands.
The open-world design emphasizes freedom and discovery, with minimal hand-holding. Players are encouraged to explore at their own pace, forge alliances, wage wars, and ultimately determine what kind of legend they will become.
Play as a Rekon Warrior
One of the most distinctive elements of Project Windless is its protagonist. Players assume the role of a Rekon, a nomadic warrior race of humanoid birds known for their immense size and physical strength.
Rekons are designed to embody a one-versus-many combat fantasy, combining speed, reach, and overwhelming power. However, they are not invincible. The race’s solitary nature, personal convictions, and even a well-known fear of water add layers of vulnerability and depth of character.
The choice of a Rekon protagonist was central to shaping the game’s combat and tone, offering something visually and mechanically distinct from typical human-centric RPG heroes.
Massive Battles Powered by New Technology
Combat in Project Windless aims to push scale and spectacle. Players can face dozens and sometimes hundreds of enemies simultaneously.
According to Krafton Montréal, these large-scale battles are powered by new mass-combat technology. Enemy crowds are designed to actively flank, surround, and react to player behavior rather than serving as background visuals. Encounters range from cutting through swarms of enemies to confronting towering creatures that dominate the battlefield.
The studio describes each fight as a dynamic, unpredictable spectacle that forces players to read the battlefield and adapt on the fly.
Development Ongoing for PS5
Project Windless is currently in development exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro. No release window has been announced yet, but the studio has indicated this reveal is only the beginning, with more details about the world and gameplay to come.
