Last week, I delved into numerous Steam Next Fest demos. I’m starting to think I enjoy playing demos more than complete games! There’s something captivating about the sheer potential, the thrill of experiencing five distinct games in one evening and reaching a satisfying, albeit brief, conclusion with each. Amidst juggling my Next Fest coverage with a growing fascination for Ball x Pit, one particular game truly captured my attention: Legend of Khiimori.
I’ve been captivated by Legend of Khiimori since its initial gameplay snippet exploded across social media. It was barely a trailer, yet that tiny glimpse of gameplay immediately won me over. I longed to immerse myself in the vast Mongolian steppe, to bond with my horse, and honestly, I wasn’t too concerned about what else the game had in store beyond that connection.
Fortunately, the game offers much more. No truly great RPG would be complete without engaging quests or meaningful upgrades, and Khiimori certainly delivers on that front. While my first hour with the demo was spent simply riding around, soaking in the beautiful environment, the game quickly impressed upon me the importance of understanding my loyal steed.
Previously, I knew absolutely nothing about horses. Now, after experiencing Legend of Khiimori, I’m practically a professional jockey! The game goes into incredible detail regarding your mount’s breed, genetics, statistics, and unique abilities. If you didn’t play the demo, allow me to emphasize: horse speed stats are measured to three decimal places. This is a horse riding simulator that genuinely takes its equine companions seriously.
While there are clear inspirations from games like Death Stranding – where balance is crucial – I also sensed echoes of The Last Guardian. The expansive Mongolian landscape might remind you of Shadow of the Colossus, but the profound relationship you forge with your horse evokes the bond between the boy and Trico. I suppose this officially makes me a ‘Horse Guy’ now!
And it wasn’t just my impression; general feedback for the demo was overwhelmingly positive. This makes the recent news somewhat surprising: developers Aesir Interactive and NightinGames have decided to postpone the release until next year. The game, initially slated for early access on Tuesday, November 4, will now launch in 2026.
The development team states their focus will be on improving player guidance and overall world experience, refining camera, controls, and UI, reducing minimum system requirements, enhancing performance and optimization, and delivering a more robust and content-rich experience. Personally, I didn’t identify these as major issues during my demo play-through, but it’s clear the developers are committed to perfecting the game before its worldwide release.
However, there’s a silver lining to this delay. As a consolation, the Steam Next Fest demo will remain available for play until the end of November. So, if you missed out on the initial buzz or are looking for some immersive horse gameplay, now is the perfect opportunity to experience this exceptional demo.
The Legend of Khiimori is now scheduled to release on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. You can still experience the Steam demo until Sunday, November 30. Add the game to your wishlist and try the demo.
If you’ve already completed the demo or are eagerly anticipating Khiimori’s early access debut, our curated selections of the best open-world games should keep you entertained until March. Alternatively, if your interest lies in optimizing every detail, our top simulation games might satisfy your cravings for equine management.
Have you had a chance to play the Khiimori demo yet? Share your thoughts in our community Discord server, where staff and fellow readers dive deep into the intricacies of horse genetics to breed the ultimate specimen for delivering mail across medieval Mongolia!