Aside from the new Hand Guard Discipline, which adds a more fist-heavy combat style to the game, very little is known about the expansion’s content. And while Everstone Studio is holding off until it gets closer to launch, it did offer a few teases in an interview with WCCF Tech.

As Eric Zheng, Head of Publishing, explains, “Unlike previous regions, this is our first attempt to explore and showcase the beauty of cliffs and summits. To bring this vision to life, we’ve significantly enhanced the region’s atmosphere and environmental detail through three core elements: wind, light, and stone.

“Dappled sunlight dances across rugged mountainsides, the wind echoes through the forests, and ancient stone paths bear the marks of time. Together, these elements help create a world that feels tangible, immersive, and alive.”

Also, unlike the flatter environments that players have usually traversed, Everstone is aiming to “expand exploration vertically, crafting a multi-layered experience.” It should feel new and exciting, and a significant shift from the chases through the Imperial Palace.

However, the underlying theme for Hidden Mountain is “humanity’s pursuit of wisdom and knowledge.” “If Hexi was a tribute to timeless poetry and painting, then with Bujian Mountain, we want to honor the ancient sages’ pursuit of reason and ultimate ‘truth,'” says Zheng.

“This expansion explores a deeper theme: humanity’s pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Throughout history, countless people have devoted their lives to seeking answers. Whether their conclusions proved right or wrong, their pursuit of knowledge has continued to push humanity forward, inspiring generations across time and expanding the boundaries of what we believe is possible.”

There will be a new campaign to venture through, and given the game’s combat-heavy approach, you can expect some challenging new foes, so stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Where Winds Meet recently launched for Xbox Series X/S, joining the likes of PS5, PC, iOS and Android. The free-to-play open-world action RPG has also crossed 80 million players in its lifetime.

You’re going to be called back to Qinghe for this one to restore the ruins of Blissful Retreat back to its former glory. That’s a welcome task given that this was the place where it all began. Of course, you’re not expected to do it alone, and you get to build a community around your efforts by recruiting locals to assist with the restoration, while you get to design and show off your own residence. Talk about making the best use of real estate. Your Homestead could keep you quite busy once it’s up and running with a host of dedicated activities for you to indulge in.

That’s the “home” part of things taken care of, but it’s the “companions” bit that has us quite eager for this one to drop. Maverick, Scar, and Pudding are three feline friends you can make in The Jianghu, and they’re coming with dynamic behaviours that are probably going to be a factor when you try to befriend them. We’re wondering if it is going to be us adopting them or the other way around. Goldie the goose is swinging by a week later, if birds are more your thing. There’s even going to be a pet battle system, although we can’t see ourselves putting those adorable little ones in any kind of danger.

There are also themed events that bring in popular franchises like Tomb Raider, with some activities that look like they’re going to be as enjoyable as they are challenging to look forward to. There’s a trailer, of course, that we’ve showcased below if you want a closer look at all that’s coming.

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Of course, that’s not all. Hours after dropping the trailer for The Imperial Palace’s Confinement Tower, the developer has announced its next expansion: Hidden Mountain. Out in July, it introduces another new region with a new story focused on the Mohist Sect.

Alongside their own secrets, you can pursue new martial arts techniques and unlock the Hand Guard Discipline. While you could hit hard and fast, counter-attacking an opponent’s moves as necessary, its biggest appeal is a One Punch Man-like attack for absolute devastation.

Everstone should reveal everything about the new content in the coming weeks leading to Hidden Mountain’s launch, so stay tuned for updates (and to give up all your free time for the sake of Wuxia). As for The Imperial Palace, you can head here for all the details, or check out our review of the base game and why it may be worth jumping into.

Of course, you’re expected to be a part of the entire affair, and you’re going to meet some interesting people on your way to claim the Yanyun, a scroll that’s in the mouth of a fearsome dragon statue. There are epic battles and some very colorful places to offset the seemingly never-ending drama of the palace’s political intrigue. It looks like you won’t be alone in your efforts to bring a semblance of order to the land, although you might have to earn the trust of some allies before they join your side.

The new chapter drops on June 8 for those of you eager to get started. You can also check out our pre-launch impressions for it (and Chapter 1) here.

You might remember that we were pretty excited about this one when its gameplay was showcased, and that hasn’t changed. There are visually stunning vistas to behold, and interesting enemies to confront, although their motivations may be more nuanced than the trailer leads us to believe.

We would have liked to see more of the Cat Emperor and Gilded Lament, two of the new World Bosses that you’ll encounter while rummaging through the new location. Of course, given that this expansion is touted to be as large as Kaifeng, that could take a while.

Nevertheless, there are several other attractions, and a whole lot of content to chase along the way – from the slap fights and eavesdropping to the nighttime chases and investigation. You can bet that we’re going to be hanging around the Palace for however long it takes for us to uncover all of its secrets.

You can check out the release trailer for yourself and dive right into the action afterwards. Where Winds Meet is available for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android. Check out our review of the base game here.

After the update is live, however, players will be able to explore one of its major new locations – the eponymous Imperial Palace. To visit this new location, players will have to reach character level 32 and complete the Kaifeng Main Chapter I “New Arrival in Kaifeng – The Welcoming Crowd” quest to unlock Kaifeng Lost Chapter “Throne and Tempest”, which will then grant them access to the location.

The Imperial Palace offers plenty of rewards for exploration, like a Justicar’s Barrel (Accessory), a Demon Queller (Face Ornament), and Jadestep Spring (Earring), among other things. Players will also be able to hunt down new Oddity “Golden Echoes” that have been hidden throughout four secret locations: Jade Steps, Incense Candles, Imperial Warden, and Auspicious Rain.

As for the quest Kaifeng Lost Chapter “Throne and Tempest I”, its story revolves around rumors about a new secret treasure that has been built in the palace. These rumors spread rapidly despite the palace guard’s best efforts, however, leading to master thieves ending up in Jianghu to steal the gold and jade.

Unlocking the Imperial Palace area will also give players access to a new Jianghu Legacy: Grand Nuo Ritual, which revolves around the Ritual Masks worn by soldiers and commoners alike.

Players looking for more challenging encounters can look forward to the new Gilded Lament world boss, which rewards players with Gilded Bond (Accessory), 3 Medicinal Tales, 5 Inner Way Note: Custom Chest, and 20 Echo Jade on their first victory. The Cat Emperor is also available as a boss with more rewards, like the Meow Magistrate (Hair Ornament).

The 10-player campaign is getting new additions for players level 91 and over, with the Resounding Majesty mode, where players can compete to get their hands on leaderboard rewards. The first five floors of Skyward Bond will also open up for players of character level 95 and over, pitting the players against Lion Dancer and Ghost Master, which have to be beaten within the time limit.

The update is also bringing with it a host of time-limited events, like a new one about exploration that kicks off on June 1st and can be completed until June 7th. Players can partake in the A Returning Friend and A Familiar Shade exploration event as long as they have reached level 10 and have completed the Qinghe Main Chapter quest “Another New Wing”.

Players who have unlocked the new Imperial Palace zone can also take part in the Palace Chronicle event between May 28th and June 25th, during which wanderers can partake in a variety of challenges that involve randomly-triggered travel events.

Where Winds Meet is a free-to-play game available on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android.

The Palace’s Size

While wandering around the Imperial Palace, one thing was constantly apparent: It’s absolutely massive. As far as palace-themed areas go in Where Winds Meet, it’s currently the largest (and second-largest in the game as a whole, just behind Kaifeng City), measuring over one million square meters. There are over 3,000 non-playable characters, and about 300 provide real-time conversations. The sheer number of individuals contained within the space isn’t immediately apparent. Whether it was sneaking about on rooftops while scoping out guards or infiltrating the Sealed Treasure in pursuit of an assassin, each location feels appropriately packed.

Summer and Winter Settings

As beautiful as the Imperial Palace looks during the Summer-time, with its dancing petals and radiant air, it gains an altogether different aura during the Winter. Snow blankets the buildings and streets while a chilly mist occupies the air. But more importantly, new activities become available, including skating around an ice rink and building giant snowmen.

Cricket Fights, Slap Fights, and More

Of course, that’s only a teaser for what The Imperial Palace has to offer in terms of side activities and mini-games. You can try to sit on the Dragon Throne (which carries a pretty hefty punishment – more on that in a bit), mount up on a horse and engage in some archery challenges. Experiencing everything was a tall task, but we managed to take on some of the more bizarre activities, including Cricket Fighting, with the first step being the most obvious: Finding and catching a cricket.

You can then send them into a fight, as they unleash auto-attacks until one is exhausted. It’s much more in-depth than you’d think, with eight stats for each cricket, unique abilities and types, and even active skills that the player can trigger. Then there’s slap fighting, where you square off against an individual and attempt to unleash a flurry of blows while dodging their own attacks. One such scenario involved Huizhen, who was seemingly possessed by a ghost and needed to clear her mind with a few good smacks (with us as the unwitting target).

Crimes and Punishments

At some points, you’ll end up eavesdropping on officials to net some juicy gossip or even transform into a dog and wander about the Emperor’s quarters, using that nose to sniff for clues. But while it seems all fun and games in the Imperial Palace, there are rules and regulations, along with consequences for not following them. For example, stealing anything results in a sticker on your face, while too much eavesdropping gives you fan ears. How, and why not permanently? Good question, but perhaps the most severe punishments are reserved for sitting on the throne or loitering around sensitive locations like the kitchen. However, while you’ll be sent to prison and can attempt to escape, getting caught earns a spanking, further highlighting the sheer ridiculousness that wuxia can sometimes entail.

Throne and Tempest

Then there’s the side story, Throne and Tempest, which can last for about three hours across both of its parts. A massive location like the Imperial Palace has its share of conspiracies and backstabbing, which you get up in while conducting your own investigation. And what better way to do that than as Imperial Guard in disguise? As you mingle and hit up the other guards for information, you’ll have an unlikely reunion with Zhao Guangyi and even investigate the mysterious Phantom while learning more about Big Zhao. It’s an intriguing side story, packed with enough action-packed platforming – including one sequence where we had to scale the rooftops of the Governance Hall to catch someone.

The Blackclad

The boss fights are always a highlight, and Where Winds Meet has been steadily raising the bar since launch. This is most apparent when fighting against The Blackclad, a friend of Big Zhao who fell out of contact with him, and has infiltrated the Imperial Palace to see if he’s changed for better or worse. But first, you’ll have to catch her, which involves using a horse-drawn wagon as an impromptu transport while fending off attacks from enemies, leaping onto rooftops, and dodging gunfire before finally catching up.

Not that this was the end by a long shot, as there was still plenty of wall-running and rooftop acrobatics before finally fighting in a courtyard, surrounded by numerous guards. The first phase is as you’d expect – a tight melee, where the Blackclad performs such superhuman feats as bouncing off her blade and unleashing slices in mid-air. It’s not until the second phase that her true techniques are revealed – a flying sword, which weaves into her combos, and a rain of swords blanketing an area. It’s cinematic, visually stunning, and above all else, an outright blast to play.

Dufu

However, the Blackclad pales in comparison to the second campaign boss, who arrives in Phase 2 of The Imperial Palace. Players face Big Zhao, but not the one you’re familiar with. Instead, it’s a so-called “dark manifestation” of his younger self, known as Dufu – a far cry from the jovial man that many know. His physical presence creates immense pressure, and it’s a fantastic fight. You’ll need to first deal with attacks from his dragon-pattern staff, finding ways to get around its extensive range, and just when it seems like you’ve survived that onslaught, Dufu does the next logical thing: Throws down bare hands in a knockdown, drag-out brawl. Compared to the Blackclad’s more elegant fighting style and cinematic backdrop, this fight is more smash-mouth and brutal.

World Boss: Cat Emperor

But that’s not all, because an even bigger threat looms in the Imperial Palace – one that’s only accessible after completing fishing quests. We’re of course talking about one of the two new World Bosses in Phase 1 – the Cat Emperor. It may be incredibly fluffy and seemingly harmless, but don’t let that fool you, as it wields a giant fish and some heavy-handed strikes, not to mention its rotund belly. To say this is an unorthodox fight would be an understatement, and it only further underscores the palace’s theme of playfulness intertwined with order.

World Boss: Gilded Lament

Then you have the Gilded Lament, the second World Boss who seemingly exists in a different realm within the Palace’s walls. She’s seemingly had a rough time, as evidenced by the sheer amount of poetry across reams of paper, including two scrolls used as weapons. Perhaps most enticing is her fighting style – between unleashing energy projectiles, she’ll disappear and materialize in an almost dancing-like manner to unleash some heavy blows. At one point, Gilded Lament turns into an energy ball, and you need to dodge the area-of-effect damage. It’s intriguingly surreal, and we can’t wait to delve more into the lore behind her presence.

Impressions

It’d be easy to dismiss The Imperial Palace as more Where Winds Meet content, especially for those who are already hooked. And coming off the Hexi Expansion with its sheer variety of gorgeous vistas, the palace grounds may sometimes feel a little too samey at times. Nevertheless, it sticks to the base game’s fundamentals admirably, presenting an interesting storyline, some truly insane activities that look like a blast, and a sense of style that’s as wuxia as can be. That’s on top of the stellar boss fights, each bringing something unique to the table, both in fun and challenge. Time will tell where Big Zhao’s storyline ultimately ends up, but as always, we’re keen to go with the flow and look damn stylish in the process.

One such individual is the Gilded Lament, a new World Boss. Revealed in a trailer that mixes live-action with some brief gameplay, it showcases a ghostly individual who composes seemingly endless poetry. The line “One last verse for no one” is as cryptic as such teases go, but in combat, those prose-filled scrolls serve as her means to attack.

She can also turn into pure energy and crash to the ground, dealing area-of-effect damage before materialising. There isn’t much of her tactics showcased, but that could be Everstone Studio saving the best parts for players to experience firsthand.

Where Winds Meet’s The Imperial Palace expansion launches on May 28th for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android. Check out some more gameplay here. Of course, the development team has plenty more in store this Summer, including a new weapon type in the Gauntlets, the ability to customize your own homestead, animal companions, and even a new co-op mode for five players.

There’s the cat who seems like a master of his martial arts, whom we suspect might be the one to bestow the new Gauntlet weapon upon us after his defeat. We’re hoping it’s a friendly fight – it would be a shame to harm a creature so regal, after all.

We also get glimpses of a slap contest in action, as well as our protagonist getting in a bit of relaxing me time, fishing at a pond. Of course, that moment of respite is short-lived, and there are some formidable foes out to bring your journey through the palace to an abrupt end. They wield their weapons and arts with exceptional skill, but to those of you who have mastered the game’s combat, the challenge is likely to be the main draw (aside from the potential rewards).

We loved this short but exciting glimpse of what The Imperial Palace is set to offer when it launches on May 28th.

So what can fans expect? Firstly, the titular Imperial Palace spans one million square meters. In fact, it’s “comparable in scale to the massive city of Kaifeng,” per the developer, with 3,000 NPCs. Some of its features include dual-season landscapes (with Spring and Winter showcased); palace chases with wall-running and rooftop parkour; and even slapping competitions.

A new weapon type, Gauntlets, is also being added this Summer alongside homesteads in Qinghe (late June) and animal companions. A new co-op-focused mode, Martial Path Domain, with multiple floors, designed for teams of five players, is also inbound. Meanwhile, the Perception Forest will receive a new map mode in the second half of 2026 focused on treasure hunting through “ruins and dark alleys.”

In the meantime, The Imperial Palace is looking like a massive new addition to the game, especially as players encounter various factions and attempt to unravel the conspiracies. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks, including the release date.