The Legend of Khiimori Showcases System-Driven Gameplay Ahead of Early Access Launch on March 3

<< Press Release >>

Publisher Mindscape and developer Aesir Interactive have released a new five-minute gameplay video and unveiled fresh key artwork for The Legend of Khiimori, ahead of its Early Access launch on March 3 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store (DE, NL, US).

The newly released gameplay showcase highlights a “day in the life” of a 13th-century Mongolian Yam courier, offering a detailed look at the core gameplay loop. The video is accompanied by developer commentary from Design Director Steve Bristow, who walks viewers through how deliveries, survival mechanics, and player choice intersect in the system-driven Early Access build.

The Legend of Khiimori is built around system-driven gameplay, placing narrative authorship directly in the player’s hands. Rather than following a rigid, scripted story, players create their own experiences through interacting systems such as movement, terrain navigation, survival, time management, and consequence-driven decision-making. Each journey across the Mongolian wilderness can unfold differently depending on preparation, route selection, and moment-to-moment choices.

Distance and time play a critical role in the experience. Players must carefully plan courier routes across vast steppes, icy mountain passes, and harsh desert regions, while preparing for extreme climates and unexpected dangers. Crafting essential items, setting up camp in the wild, and balancing supplies are key to survival during long-distance deliveries.

Horses are central to The Legend of Khiimori‘s gameplay, with players able to breed and manage authentic mounts inspired by real-world horse genetics. Choosing the right horse for each mission—and carefully balancing saddlebags to avoid serious injury—can mean the difference between success and failure. As players increase their Yam rank, they unlock vital equipment upgrades that become essential for more dangerous journeys.

Encounters along the road are shaped by player choice. Threats such as wolves can be dealt with in multiple ways, whether through precise archery or deterrents like powder pouches. The open world also features unexplored ruins, environmental challenges involving weather, fire, and spirits, and hostile regions filled with secrets to uncover.

At launch, the Early Access version will already include partial voice-over support in both English and Mongolian. Aesir Interactive has confirmed that Mongolian voice actors are involved, aiming to bring authenticity and cultural depth to the experience. A fully crafted main story and complete narrative are planned for the game’s full release on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store (DE, NL, US), and on PlayStation 5 (NL-BE, US).