I've already played the demo of this co-op pirate survival game for 7 hours, but the boisterous sea shanties my crew sings keep me coming back for more
PC Gamer
by Christopher Livingston February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The demo for *Windrose*, a co-op pirate survival game, offers a rollicking adventure on the high seas, complete with resource gathering, ship battles, and the joy of hearing your crew sing sea shanties. Despite initial skepticism about the over-saturation of sea shanties in pop culture during the pandemic, the demo's music and gameplay manage to charm, making for an engaging experience. Players start on a small island after being shipwrecked, where they must gather resources like wood and copper, defeat fierce Dodo birds, and free captured crew members to build a ship and set sail.
The game combines traditional survival mechanics with pirate-themed fun, such as crafting weapons, upgrading ships with cannons, and engaging in chaotic melee combat during boarding parties. While the demo is challenging—especially when facing off against Blackbeard's fleet—it also feels forgiving, allowing players to recover lost resources quickly. The boat-building and sailing mechanics are particularly satisfying, adding depth to the high-seas adventures.
The game's NPCs, including a crew that feels like it belongs in *Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag*, bring humor and personality to the experience. Flintlock pistols and the thrill of slow-motion gunplay add another layer of strategy to combat. With its rich world exploration, ship upgrades, and memorable musical soundtrack, *Windrose* offers a fresh take on the pirate survival genre, keeping players hooked with its blend of creativity and nostalgia. Gamers interested in co-op adventures and unique gameplay mechanics will likely find this demo hard to put down, eagerly awaiting its full release.
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/23/2026