Gamers and horse lovers alike will want to check out the latest – and sixth – game in the Windstorm series, Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori, to be released later in 2025.
Set in 13th century Mongolia, the game has players assume the role of courier rider – think Pony Express with yurts and arrows – as they breed, raise, train and ride their horses across an extensive and breathtaking landscape to deliver their cargo.
“We wanted to combine detailed horse game play with a thrilling story in an immersive and explorable world,” says Sabine Winkler, game design director. “We want[ed] a game for horse lovers but also anyone who wants to explore the beautiful Mongolian landscape with its various habitats.”
In the Legend of Khiimori you create your own detailed plan to navigate the wilderness and its obstacles before starting out on your delivery on horseback. Needless to say, your horse is vital to your success, and to help with that the game includes a breeding system to breed horses across several generations. You can breed for specific traits such as speed, endurance or the ability to handle obstacles or harsh climates.
“Expectations from the community in regards to horse riding are really high, but I would say that our internal bar is set as high or higher,” explains senior 3D artist Valentin Pavliuchenko. “But there is always a balance between authenticity and game enjoyment.”
Fans of earlier Windstorm games will recall the mounted archery challenges; the latest game brings the sport back but better (at least, according to the designers).
The company began a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to create the Legend of Khiimori and according to Games Radar it reached 150% of its goal in one day, which leads us to believe there are a ton of horse riding enthusiasts out there itching for to a new place to virtually ride.
“Horses are the lifeblood of the whole [Mongolian] society,” says Pavliuchenko. “They carry loads and provisions and are companions.” He adds because of the importance of the horse, the designers wanted to put in as much detail as possible, a task made easier by having equestrians on the payroll, himself included.
You can check out previews here.
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