Wuthering Waves Lands on Steam With Anniversary Rewards and Two New 5-Star Fighters
Kuro Games has brought Wuthering Waves to Steam, and the timing could hardly be better for anyone on the fence about trying it. The open-world gacha game now sits alongside its PS5 and mobile versions with full cross-save and cross-play support, meaning progress carries over no matter which screen you play on. The Steam launch lands right as the 2.3 update, called Fiery Arpeggio of Summer Reunion, goes live alongside a slate of anniversary events. For new players, this is the most straightforward entry point the game has offered so far.
Steam players are already showing up
Within its first day on Valve’s platform, Wuthering Waves pulled in more than 2,000 user reviews, with 87 percent of them marked “Very Positive.” Concurrent player counts hover around 10,000, which puts it in respectable company among free-to-play titles on Steam. Many of the reviews come from returning players who call it one of the stronger gacha experiences available right now. The strong early reception suggests a healthy PC community is forming, which matters for future updates and any cross-platform events Kuro Games has planned.
Anniversary events give everyone a reason to log in
The anniversary celebration runs multiple events in parallel, most of them lasting until June 11, 2025. Players can tackle combat challenges that test their teams against tough enemies, wander through leisure activities and mini-games, and take on photography tasks that require capturing specific scenes in the world. A daily login bonus runs through the event period, so checking in every day adds up to a meaningful chunk of free currency. Anyone saving for the new banners will find the anniversary rewards help close the gap to pity.
Two new Resonators headline the 2.3 banners
Version 2.3 introduces two 5-star Resonators, both available during Phase 1 of the update. Zani is a damage dealer who uses Gauntlets and brings a unique playstyle to the roster. She also gets a permanent Companion Story, so players can unlock more of her lore outside the limited-time banner. Ciaccona fills a support and sub-DPS role, fitting into teams built around Aero or Havoc damage types.
The weapon banners run alongside the character banners. Blazing Justice is a 5-star Gauntlet set built for Zani. Woodland Aria is a 5-star Pistol set that suits Ciaccona. Both weapons are also Phase 1 limited banners. Exact end dates for these banners are not listed in the official patch notes, so players should check the in-game timer to know when they expire.
| Banner | Featured 5-Star | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zani | Zani | Resonator | 2.3 Phase 1 |
| Ciaccona | Ciaccona | Resonator | 2.3 Phase 1 |
| Blazing Justice | Blazing Justice | Weapon (Gauntlets) | 2.3 Phase 1 |
| Woodland Aria | Woodland Aria | Weapon (Pistols) | 2.3 Phase 1 |
Who benefits from each banner
Zani is worth pulling for anyone who lacks a strong Gauntlet damage dealer. Her playstyle stands apart from other DPS options in the game right now. Ciaccona works best for players who want to build an Aero team around units like Jiyan or Yangyang, or a Havoc team with Camellya. She brings enough utility to justify a slot even without her signature weapon.
The weapon banners are harder to recommend for free-to-play players. Blazing Justice and Woodland Aria are strong, but only if you already have the Resonator they were designed for. Standard 5-star weapons or craftable alternatives can do the job at a fraction of the cost. Free players should prioritize characters over signature weapons in most cases.
Team setups for the new arrivals
Zani pairs well with Verina or Shorekeeper for healing and buff support. Adding Sanhua gives her Glacio resonance, which boosts team damage further. Ciaccona slots naturally into an Aero lineup with Jiyan or Yangyang, but she also works in Havoc teams alongside Camellya. Neither character demands their signature weapon to function well, though Blazing Justice and Woodland Aria are the obvious best-in-slot choices if you can afford them.
What the Steam version includes
The Steam release is identical to the PS5 and mobile versions in content and progression. Kuro Games has not announced any platform-exclusive items or events. Cross-save means veterans can pick up where they left off on Steam, and new players can start on any platform and switch later. The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases for Astrite and bundles. All updates and events arrive on every platform at the same time.
For guides and character builds, check out the Wuthering Waves section on GenshinBuilds at genshin-builds.com/wuthering-waves.