New Open-World Game on Steam is a Goulash of Red Dead, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and Death Stranding

by

Scheduled for release on Steam in March 2026, The Legend of Khiimori is a captivating new open-world game that stands out from the crowd. It’s an action-adventure focused on horseback riding, but it’s more than just a typical sandbox game. Players will experience life as a courier in 13th-century Mongolia, navigating challenging landscapes, forming strong connections with their horses, and embarking on a journey that’s both a test of skill and a spiritual experience. While some gameplay elements might feel familiar, The Legend of Khiimori is shaping up to be one of Steam’s most promising and original titles.

It might seem odd to compare Khiimori to games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Death Stranding. However, while those games focus on vast landscapes and dramatic events, Khiimori offers a more intimate experience. It’s less about fighting or big moments, and more about truly connecting with the natural world – the weather, the animals, and the feeling of traveling across the open plains. This focus makes it a potential standout game on Steam this year, and you can add it to your wishlist now.

A World That Breathes Like RDR2’s Frontier, But in 13th-Century Mongolia

One of the biggest takeaways from Red Dead Redemption 2 is that a truly great open-world game isn’t just about a large map filled with activities—it’s about creating a world that feels genuinely alive. Rockstar’s 2018 game still sets the standard for this immersive feeling, and it’s a major reason why it became so beloved by players.

  • Storms and weather changes roll in with purpose, making the world more lively and authentic.
  • RDR2‘s wildlife is given agency and is all about realism:
    • Animals have daily routines.
    • Each animal species behaves differently (i.e., wolves hunt in packs, alligators stay still in water, etc.).
    • They have reactions to the environment.
    • Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 can react to the presence of specific animals, like snakes.
  • The world is divided into different biomes and ecosystems, where persistence is key (for example, dead animals don’t just despawn immediately, and hunting can reduce the population of a given species).
  • Brushing dust off Arthur Morgan’s boots and caring for horses feels like part of a rhythm rather than another facet of RDR2‘s gameplay loop.

How The Legend of Khiimori Pays Homage to RDR2

The world of The Legend of Khiimori feels as thoughtfully designed as its stunning Mongolian landscapes. Players need to carefully plan their travels across snowy mountains, scorching deserts, and wide-open plains, and focus on breeding and training horses to survive. Unlike many games with quick travel options, every journey feels risky and deliberate. This creates a constant sense of tension, reminiscent of the carefully crafted world and atmosphere of Red Dead Redemption 2.

While Arthur Morgan developed a connection with his horse through care like grooming and feeding, Khiimori aims for a much stronger, more reliant partnership. It’s not just about riding from place to place; the game wants you to build a relationship with your horse that makes every ride feel like a meaningful part of the story. This transforms travel from a simple task into a key gameplay element, and given the detailed and immersive horses in Red Dead Redemption 2, a similar level of connection could really make Khiimori stand out.

The Legend of Khiimori’s Medieval Immersion Borrowed From Kingdom Come 2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 truly raised the standard for immersive gaming experiences. Its detailed and expansive world of Bohemia, combined with realistic characters and challenging gameplay, makes every achievement feel rewarding. The game features a living, breathing world where knights, mercenaries, and common folk all go about their lives, and your decisions genuinely impact the story and how the game unfolds.

While not a traditional first-person RPG or as story-driven as Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Khiimori shares a similar commitment to realism in how it portrays the world.

  • The open world in The Legend of Khiimori isn’t simply expansive, but it challenges players to respect it.
  • Weather isn’t background decoration, and it alters your approach.
  • Horses aren’t tools, but they’re lifelines you must train, feed, and breed, and success depends upon them.
  • The game’s survival loop of foraging, crafting, and planning mirrors Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2‘s harsh environment, which is an adversary as much as any enemy.

While Deliverance 2 focuses on historical accuracy, Khiimori prioritizes a realistic portrayal of culture and the environment. This creates a deeply immersive experience, not through flashy moments, but through consistent gameplay systems where your choices truly matter. Like the game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Khiimori seems to favor careful planning, observation, and smart strategy.

Death Stranding’s Quiet Echoes in Every Legend of Khiimori Delivery

Some might be surprised to see The Legend of Khiimori compared to Death Stranding, but if you look past the science fiction elements, Death Stranding is really about the challenges of work in a harsh environment. The game isn’t focused on action; it’s about making connections – linking together different locations and people while carefully managing your heavy load. What you carry actually becomes part of the story, and your backpack feels like something you need to protect.

In Khiimori, being a courier is all about successfully completing deliveries. Each journey is a real challenge where you must focus on staying alive and building a reputation. What makes The Legend of Khiimori different is that the stress comes not from combat, but from carefully planning your routes, checking the weather, and managing your horse’s energy to protect your valuable cargo. These elements aren’t just extra details – they’re essential to the game. It feels less like a typical action game and more like navigating a series of checkpoints, similar to the experience in Death Stranding.

The creators of the game are focusing on a realistic experience of being a courier, rather than simply an action-packed adventure. Although early versions have received some criticism for their graphics and controls, the game’s complex systems and thoughtful pace are reminiscent of what made Death Stranding so much more than just a game about walking.

Why These Comparisons Matter, And Where Khiimori Stands on Its Own

It’s unfair to directly compare a small, early-release game like Khiimori to massive, established titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Death Stranding. Those games set the standard, while Khiimori is still developing, but shows potential by combining the best aspects of each. It aims to create a world that feels alive, like in Red Dead 2, where the environment and wildlife are just as important as the story and characters. It also incorporates the challenging, realistic survival elements of Kingdom Come, making every action meaningful. Finally, it captures the calming, focused feeling of exploration and travel found in Death Stranding, making the journey itself enjoyable.

While games like Red Dead 2 tell stories of a vanishing Wild West and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 immerses you in detailed medieval life, Khiimori focuses on the simple, everyday experience. It’s less about grand battles or exciting moments, and more about the feeling of the vast steppe, the burden of your equipment, and the bond you share with your horse as you journey across the land.

Amidst many games focused on grand displays, The Legend of Khiimori stands out with a surprisingly grounded and hopeful approach. It’s not trying to be another game like Red Dead Redemption 2, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, or Death Stranding. Instead, it takes the core ideas from those games and crafts its own unique open-world survival experience, centered around traveling on horseback and carefully exploring the world. This game isn’t just about playing; it’s about stepping into the shoes of a courier and truly living their life – with all the quiet moments, careful planning, and small victories that come with it.

Read More

2026-01-31 16:05