Imagine if Red Dead Redemption 2 decided to ditch the Wild West for the Mongolian steppes of the 13th century, while Death Stranding whispered, “Don’t forget the parcels”. That’s pretty much the vibe of Windstrom: The Legend of Khiimori, a medieval open-world survival game where your horse is as important as your sword and quite possibly your only friend when things go south.
A courier with grit
You play as a courier, which sounds dull until you realise your deliveries involve trekking across harsh landscapes, dodging danger, and braving unpredictable weather. We’re talking medicine runs across miles of wild Mongolian terrain, think Death Stranding with less sci-fi and more wind-whipped realism. The game’s recent trailer, despite being an alpha build, is already showing off environments so detailed you can almost feel the frostbite.
A hit before it’s even out
This game isn’t just sitting quietly in a corner. It’s already on over 100,000 Steam wishlists and followed by 12,000 eager players. The Kickstarter campaign? A modest €60,000 goal was obliterated, with over €500,000 raised. People are ready to saddle up for this one. And if you’re not a PC gamer, don’t panic: it’s coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and even the next Nintendo Switch.
It’s all about the horses
Aesir Interactive, the studio behind this, is no stranger to horse-centred adventures. Their earlier game, Windstorm: Start of a Great Friendship (2017), revolved around the bond between Mika and her horse. This new title builds on that idea, but with a grittier survival twist. Much like in Red Dead Redemption 2, your horse isn’t just a mount; it’s your lifeline. Treat it well, train it, and you’ll form a bond that grows with every adventure.
The developers have gone all-in to make horse mechanics as realistic as possible, even working closely with real horses during development. The result? Horses with unique abilities you can raise and train, making each expedition across the Mongolian wilds feel personal and unpredictable.
The Mongolian playground
Creative director Gérard Lehiany says it best: the 13th-century Mongolian setting is a dream backdrop for adventure. The landscapes look vast and untamed, promising plenty of surprises from sweeping plains to treacherous mountain passes. And since the Mongols were inseparable from their horses, the game captures that spirit with an authenticity that’s rare in open-world titles.
Why this could be the next big thing
Between the stunning environments, the survival mechanics, and the deep horse bond (yes, that’s a thing now), Windstrom: The Legend of Khiimori is shaping up to be one of those games that sneak up on you and then dominate your free time. It’s part historical journey, part survival test, with a dash of emotional storytelling thrown in for good measure.
If you fancy a mix of rugged adventure and heartfelt moments with plenty of horse grooming in between, this might just be the game you didn’t know you needed. The only real question left is: Are you ready to ride into the winds of the Mongolian steppes?
