Since its release in November 2025, Where Winds Meet has quickly grown beyond its opening region, expanding its ancient Chinese mythos through a wuxia retelling of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. One day before the game’s mobile launch, NetEase revealed a new trailer for The Game Awards 2025, recapping Qinghe’s storyline and teasing the Imperial Palace expansion set for 2026. After exploring the dreamlike lands of Hexi, players are now heading to the Imperial Palace. Recently, Final Weapon had the chance to preview the expansion’s campaigns, side stories, and battles ahead of launch.

Wisdoms Sealed Within A Vault

While roaming through Kaifeng, an angry mob forms around a constable amid the recent increase in theft around the markets. This constable attempts to quell the crowd but speaks too much detail about the theft and runs off. It turns out he was also a thief who stole a guard’s seal and dropped it during his escape. Upon picking up the seal, the Wanderer takes the thief’s job to steal from the Sealed Treasury. Along the way, unraveling the truth of the treasury, and learning more about Big Zhao’s early years as an emperor.

Upon starting the Throne and Tempest questline, the Wanderer assumes the role of a palace guard. While on the job, mysteries emerge as peace among the citizens is threatened. It’s a priority to solve these mysteries while meeting the contact within the palace. Just as the investigations begin, they abruptly end as the storyline progresses. Leaving more to be desired with the investigations, as it’s set aside for the Sealed Treasury.

The Wanderer takes the opportunity to sneak into the Sealed Treasury after discovering its exact location in the palace grounds. This leads to a dull stealth sequence that’s solved with ease, ending with the encounter with The Blackclad. Largely, the storyline stumbles, with the truth as its only interesting aspect. The following chase sequence feels cinematic, and then the fight with The Blackclad. The fight itself was the weakest aspect, with the only notable aspect of The Blackclad being her motives. 

Confined Truths Only Show False Ideas

Shortly after the events of the Sealed Temple are resolved, Emperor Zhao Guangyi invites every thief to a challenge. Through the decree, if one manages to infiltrate the palace, they will all be rewarded. Among the thieves is Big Zhao, whose interested in participating in the event. Unfortunately, the event is spoiled as there’s dishonor among thieves, as one attempts to assassinate the emperor. Stumbling upon his escape, the assassin plays a melody that traps everyone in a dreamlike world.

The Tower itself is a manifestation of the assassin’s resentment, representing a twisted version of the Sealed Treasury. This was a highlight, as there are puzzles to solve as Big Zhao is turned into a small tiger. However, halfway through the level, it becomes a meandering corridor leading up to the fight against The Lone Tyrant. The fight itself is one of the hardest yet, providing a worthy and rewarding challenge through its two phases. After defeating the tyrant, the story abruptly wraps up a previous plot point, ending on a high note.

The events of the Confinement Tower explore Big Zhao’s past actions as an emperor of the Song Dynasty. This was largely teased back in Kaifeng as his real-life counterpart was a commoner before becoming emperor. This largely contrasts with the assassin’s motives, as he hoped to get revenge for his father’s death. Overall, a tale that slows down partway through the second half, as there’s another meandering stealth segment. It feels like an artificial way to stretch the runtime, since other interesting puzzles are repeated over time.

Even A Palace Has Its Surprises

Along with opening the gates towards the Imperial Palace, it’s a large zone to easily get lost in. Running on the roof never felt old, even though at times, locations felt the same. Along with the Sealed Temple requiring jumping around in order to avoid the guards. There are also side activities to partake in within the palace, as well as consequences for being mischievous. The Imperial Palace is a nice addition to the ever-growing locations of Where Winds Meet, as there’s so much to do and discover within the palace grounds.

The addition of the Imperial Palace adds a bunch of interactable content and minigames throughout the palace grounds. Whether it’s cricket betting or even a kitchen minigame inspired by Fruit Ninja, there is something new to do each time. Additionally, new Jianghu Legacy quests have been added, including one that explores mystical traditions to help the dead pass on. It was a wonderful quest to witness, as a substitute for a dance, allowing an experience through the paranormal. The other questline features a character from the main campaign who gives an honest yet fantastical retelling of her rescue.

There are also new world bosses added in the Imperial Palace expansion, which explores whimsical and horrifying bosses. The only notable world boss that stood out was the Gilded Lament, a ghost that haunts the Imperial Palace. Her fight overall was intriguing, but stretched too long as she would compose a shield even before the phase change. Unlocking the Cat Emperor took a bit, as it required fishing at a specific time. Once getting the fight, the Cat Emperor locks away its stun gauge but provides funny mechanics nonetheless.

The Imperial Palace’s Delights

After experiencing what the Imperial Palace offers, there’s a lot to find that’s worthwhile. However, the story is split into two phases, with the first phase releasing on May 28. This will cover the events of the Sealed Temple and The Blackclad, as well as the world bosses. While the second phase will feature the events of The Confinement Tower and The Lone Tyrant. Hopefully, there will be news soon for when the second phase launches. 

Although there are pacing issues with the story, along with some unnecessary padding. The main campaigns explore interesting aspects of ancient Chinese history from a psychological perspective. Along with featuring some side content and activities to make the visit livelier overall. I enjoyed my time with the new expansion, and you won’t have to wait long to try it yourself: Phase 1 of this new playground arrives on May 28 on PC and PlayStation 5.