*Updated August 2024

I have never had such a stressful relaxing game, but that's a good thing.

Let's get this clear first, this game isn't for everyone of course. It can be slow and methodical to sail the same region earning money for upgrades and the better ships. But it can also be really rewarding buying that larger ship, or even simply a stove to cook your food. You are a simple trader with a small ship at the mercy of the winds and the dynamic market prices.

Though if you're an adventurous trader you can go into the open ocean. The world isn't just the map you start in, each starting region is connected with each other in a vast ocean. With even two "secret" regions you'll have to sail off the map to find. Sailwind allows you to do this with in-depth navigation tools and uses them in a wonderfully immersive way! But this ocean can be a maddening calm void where keeping busy is the hardest thing. It can suddenly flip into a raging unforgiving storm were the unprepared may find themselves re-enacting "The Perfect Storm". You'll spend weeks between regions in this vast ocean but this is worth it as the best money is made travelling to another region. With the Economy Update, the game can still be a grind, but if you're experience enough in the art of trading you can now greatly cut down that grind down with buying and selling your own cargo instead of missions.

This brings me to the other amazing aspect, weight balancing! Each ship has different weight limits, but it's not just weight to worry about but balance! As Sailwind has a dynamic system where a poorly distributed ship's cargo could easily capsize you. More commonly a poorly distributed cargo could slow your ship to a crawl, forcing the bow or stern to deep, or listing so heavily to one side you won't be able to sail with full power.

And on top of all of that, there is a survival element, food, water, and hardest of all sleep! Sleeping in the game doesn't lock your ship in place, it continues without you at the helm, sure you can always sleep quickly in port, or anchor in shallow waters. But sometimes on weeks long voyagers your ship will be at the mercy of the wind and waves as you sleep. Or the time limit on a high value cargo must mean you must let your ship sail and hope it stays on course.

Each ship already handles in it's own unique way. But now with ship customisation apart of the game, it too provides more variety in play, or if you want, bring a comforting layout to different hull. Customising ships also brings new challenges as it's not as easy to simply put the biggest and most sails onto your ship to go faster. Ships themselves can become unbalanced uncontrollable messes with the wrong sails. Sometimes to much sail can also be a problem for those raging storms in the open ocean. Sailwind also includes wind shadows, meaning sails compete against each other. But different configs of sails can put forth what you value most; Speed? Manoeuvrability? Angle of attack? Simplicity? You can find what you like best and make it happen!

Sailwind is a great blend of realistic sailing mechanics and game play, the learning curve is steep, but mastering it is very rewarding.

This game is 100% a labour of Love, the Dev adds great content as often as they can. I've played since some of the earliest builds, and it had great potential. Now It's an Enjoyable experience, and with what is planned in the future, will be a gem of a game. It's also at a state now that I can and whole heartily recommend this game for a Sim, Trading, or Ship lovers alike! This game has become my go-to relaxation game, even when I stress about the storms, I find the whole moment a joy. I eagerly look forward to every new thing the Dev adds but even if the game stopped development, I'd be sad, but I'd still enjoy what was done.

If I've convinced you to get this game, then I hope you have as much enjoyment as I have! May the wind be in you favour, provisions last, profits high, and waves gentle! Happy Sailing!

*Updated August 2024 I have never had such a stressful relaxing game, but that's a good thing. Let's get this clear first, this game isn't for everyone of course. It can be slow and methodical to sail the same region earning money for upgrades and the better ships. But it can also be really rewarding buying that larger ship, or even simply a stove to cook your food. You are a simple trader with a small ship at the mercy of the winds and the dynamic market prices. Though if you're an adventurous trader you can go into the open ocean. The world isn't just the map you start in, each starting region is connected with each other in a vast ocean. With even two "secret" regions you'll have to sail off the map to find. Sailwind allows you to do this with in-depth navigation tools and uses them in a wonderfully immersive way! But this ocean can be a maddening calm void where keeping busy is the hardest thing. It can suddenly flip into a raging unforgiving storm were the unprepared may find themselves re-enacting "The Perfect Storm". You'll spend weeks between regions in this vast ocean but this is worth it as the best money is made travelling to another region. With the Economy Update, the game can still be a grind, but if you're experience enough in the art of trading you can now greatly cut down that grind down with buying and selling your own cargo instead of missions. This brings me to the other amazing aspect, weight balancing! Each ship has different weight limits, but it's not just weight to worry about but balance! As Sailwind has a dynamic system where a poorly distributed ship's cargo could easily capsize you. More commonly a poorly distributed cargo could slow your ship to a crawl, forcing the bow or stern to deep, or listing so heavily to one side you won't be able to sail with full power. And on top of all of that, there is a survival element, food, water, and hardest of all sleep! Sleeping in the game doesn't lock your ship in place, it continues without you at the helm, sure you can always sleep quickly in port, or anchor in shallow waters. But sometimes on weeks long voyagers your ship will be at the mercy of the wind and waves as you sleep. Or the time limit on a high value cargo must mean you must let your ship sail and hope it stays on course. Each ship already handles in it's own unique way. But now with ship customisation apart of the game, it too provides more variety in play, or if you want, bring a comforting layout to different hull. Customising ships also brings new challenges as it's not as easy to simply put the biggest and most sails onto your ship to go faster. Ships themselves can become unbalanced uncontrollable messes with the wrong sails. Sometimes to much sail can also be a problem for those raging storms in the open ocean. Sailwind also includes wind shadows, meaning sails compete against each other. But different configs of sails can put forth what you value most; Speed? Manoeuvrability? Angle of attack? Simplicity? You can find what you like best and make it happen! Sailwind is a great blend of realistic sailing mechanics and game play, the learning curve is steep, but mastering it is very rewarding. This game is 100% a labour of Love, the Dev adds great content as often as they can. I've played since some of the earliest builds, and it had great potential. Now It's an Enjoyable experience, and with what is planned in the future, will be a gem of a game. It's also at a state now that I can and whole heartily recommend this game for a Sim, Trading, or Ship lovers alike! This game has become my go-to relaxation game, even when I stress about the storms, I find the whole moment a joy. I eagerly look forward to every new thing the Dev adds but even if the game stopped development, I'd be sad, but I'd still enjoy what was done. If I've convinced you to get this game, then I hope you have as much enjoyment as I have! May the wind be in you favour, provisions last, profits high, and waves gentle! Happy Sailing!