Screenshot from the game Project Windless/Source: Krafton Montreal
At Sony’s February State of Play broadcast, the studio Crafton Montreal introduced Project Windless, an open-world role-playing game set in the universe of Korean writer Young-do Lee and his fantasy series “The Bird That Drinks Tears.”
The first English translation of the books is expected by the end of the year, and for Western audiences the game could be their first introduction to this world, which is often called the “Korean Lord of the Rings.”
One of the main elements that attracted attention after the announcement was the unusual hero – a nine-foot warrior rooster, a bird-like giant with a sword. Studio head and creative director of the project Patrick Mete admitted that this is exactly the reaction the team expected: the character first surprises and then instantly arouses interest.
The world of “The Bird That Drinks Tears” is inhabited by four peoples: people, fiery Tokkebi, immortal Nhaga and nomadic giant roosters. Players will take on the role of the legendary Hero King, a mythical figure whose story has grown into legends over the millennium between the events of the game and the novels. According to Mete, this choice gives developers creative freedom and allows players to live out their own version of the legend.
It was the rooster that became the main favorite of the team even at the stage of forming the studio: almost every candidate who was interviewed said that they would like to play for him. The character stands out not only in appearance – his physical capabilities, strength and speed open up new approaches to open world exploration and the combat system.
Screenshot from the game Project Windless/Source: Krafton Montreal
The developers emphasize that Project Windless will focus on freedom of choice: players will be able to live the path of the Hero King in different ways – from the role of a leader to following his personal goal. However, many details, including the relationship system and individual customization elements, remain unconfirmed.
As Mete notes, the name of the universe is a metaphor: “drinking tears” signifies the responsibility and burden of leadership. It is this theme, according to the authors, that players will experience in the story of the rise of the legendary hero.