A game will soon start on Steam in Early Access that could make many extremely happy. It addresses certain aspects that a particular type of player sorely misses, and therefore draws on Red Dead Redemption 2. The demo has also convinced MeinMMO editor Alex.
For many years, I have been searching for it like the knights of the Round Table sought the Holy Grail. A game that satisfies my need for freedom. A game where I can travel through Wallachia for hours and feel the adventure. Preferably on the back of a faithful steed.
I last felt this sensation while playing Red Dead Redemption 2, when I ignored the story and explored the vast world from the saddle for hours, taming wild horses and simply enjoying the feeling of adventure.
Everything was just right: the animations of the horses were as beautiful as no other game had managed from my perspective, the environment was so diverse and inviting to explore, and the controls and the feeling of riding during my time in the saddle simply felt right to me.
As a passionate rider and leisure knight, this was my digital way to unwind and satisfy that wistful longing when I couldn’t get to the stable or especially in times when I didn’t yet own a horse. But somehow… something was always missing. The focus in RDR2 was not on the horses but rather on the story and a coherent representation of the “wild west” with a healthy dose of shooting and combat.
But a new game on Steam seems to hit the nail on the head and take exactly this aspect into focus: “The Legend of Khiimori.” The demo during the Steam Next Fest captivated me for what felt like an eternity, and the best part: You can still try the demo yourself until November 30, 2025. Early Access is planned to start on March 3, 2026.
Here you can watch the gameplay trailer:
On the Back of Horses Through Ancient Mongolia
What kind of game is this? In The Legend of Khiimori (formerly Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori), you take on the role of a young Mongolian in the 13th century who acts as a courier between different settlements. For this, you initially get a faithful horse by your side, which you must also take care of.
It needs food, attention, and water, and you can train it in various skills by moving around with it and focusing on activities that concentrate on these aspects. In settlements, you can swap and breed your horses to get the best horse for you. You can also catch and tame wild horses in the open world.
There are many different colors, and there are also various breeds in the finished game. In addition to the main story, where you delve into an ancient myth, you will complete various tasks: from transporting different goods, to collecting resources, to crafting items.
The focus is on realistic animations that can easily compete with those from Red Dead Redemption 2, and on survival in various biomes and weather conditions. You will need to plan your routes wisely so that neither your task nor you and your horse are in too much danger. Other wild dangers await you as well, which you can face with bow and arrow or flee from. The bow is also at your disposal for hunting.
You need to have the right plan, the right horse, and the right equipment to master your tasks. You can plan your routes with the extensive map and various markers, as well as make the necessary preparations in settlements. A game principle that I greatly enjoyed in the demo and that made me crave more.
With a focus on collaboration with the horse, combined with the leisurely journey through the picturesque regions of Mongolia and the adverse conditions that need to be overcome, The Legend of Khiimori offers exactly what I felt was missing in Red Dead Redemption 2.
The promising game comes from the German developer Aesir Interactive and was initially launched as a Kickstarter campaign. It was such a success that it significantly exceeded the funding goal and even financed a release on Switch 2 and numerous additional game content: The “Red Dead Redemption 2” without violence from Germany celebrates incredible success on Kickstarter, also coming for Switch 2
