A medieval RPG without combat: "Windstorm" takes on Mongolia
25 September 2024 21:03
The role-playing game Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori is set in medieval Mongolia. It revolves around horses and does not feature combat elements. Will it find an audience?
Modern computer games often immerse users into graphically stunning and highly detailed worlds. However, in most of them, exploring these places requires constant combat. The latest offering from renowned German developer Aesir Interactive is designed for those not thrilled by neutralising opponents.
"Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori" is an RPG without combat
"Windstorm: The Legend of Khiimori" is set in 13th-century Mongolia. The protagonist we play is a courier who delivers messages between nomadic camps. The success of her mission is fully dependent on the quality of care she provides to her loyal horse. These majestic animals are at the centre of the RPG’s action and can be trained and bred to create more durable and stronger horses.
Riding a horse sounds like a dream job, but traversing the Mongolian steppe on horseback is not the only challenge awaiting in "The Legend of Khiimori." The medieval courier will also face constantly changing weather, varied terrain, and diseases lurking for the nomads. The Black Plague is just over the horizon.
Will a game focused on horses find an audience?
The game's trailer caused a considerable stir on the Internet. Some people are sceptical. They wrote: "Not really, no... it looks pretty boring" or "No, because being a mail carrier or an errand person isn't intriguing at all; even if the graphics are beautiful." Some comments were outright hostile: "This is a game straight to the bin because it has no target group."
Two facts counter this claim. First, "The Legend of Khiimori" is the third instalment of "Windstorm," a series for horse lovers. It wouldn't have been made if the first two weren't popular. Second, comments under the trailer on YouTube suggest that many people are eager to play as a medieval nomad. They wrote: "Looks beautiful. I'm tired of fighting monsters," and: "A game about horses?! That's not pink and generic? I'm interested! Plus, it's set in Mongolia!" The game will be available on the Steam platform in 2025.
