**Horses Review: A Disturbing Exploration of Power and Technology**

**Overview**

*Horses* is a uniquely unsettling video game developed and published by Santa Ragione, set for release on December 4th, 2025, exclusively for Windows platforms. The game has stirred controversy, particularly after being rejected by Steam for its provocative and disturbing content. With a price yet to be confirmed, *Horses* invites players into a dark and complex narrative, intertwining the mechanics of farming simulation games with visceral themes of exploitation and control.

**Historical Context**

The game draws inspiration from early cinematic representations of horses, recalling the pioneering work of Eadweard Muybridge in the late 1800s. Muybridge’s “chronophotographs” captured the nuanced movement of horses, an endeavor rooted in both scientific inquiry and the commercial interests of horse racing. This historical backdrop serves as a stark contrast to the commodification and dehumanization depicted in *Horses*, mirroring the evolving nature of media technology and its impact on societal attitudes towards bodies and representation.

**Game Mechanics and Aesthetics**

Upon entering the digital world of *Horses*, players are immediately enveloped in a haunting atmosphere characterized by obsolete technology. The game features a rickety grey aesthetic, with soundscapes reminiscent of horror films. Players assume the role of a young man tasked with laboring on a farm run by a grotesque character known simply as the Farmer. The gameplay mechanics blend traditional farming sim elements—such as inventory management and chore completion—with disturbing cinematic techniques that challenge the norms of video game representation.

The narrative unfolds through a series of dark tasks, including the care and management of “horses,” which, in this context, are metonymic representations of human suffering and exploitation. The game subverts standard conventions, replacing traditional farming objectives with moral and ethical dilemmas that confront players with the discomforting realities of power dynamics and agency.

**Narrative Themes and Controversies**

The thematic core of *Horses* revolves around the exploitation and brutalization of bodies under the guise of efficiency and productivity. The Farmer epitomizes a figure of power who embodies both lust and fear, creating a toxic environment marked by violence and control. The presence of the “horses,” presented as human figures in dehumanizing costumes, serves to highlight the grotesque underbelly of societal norms that overlook the commodification of bodies.

Controversies surfaced when discussions of censorship arose, particularly concerning character design and thematic implications involving youth and sexual exploitation. Such discussions underscore the game’s engagement with provocative topics, forcing players to grapple with their own positions regarding morality, agency, and societal values.

**Gameplay and Player Agency**

Player agency in *Horses* is primarily expressed through choices that often lead to feelings of helplessness and disempowerment. The design compels players to confront the uncomfortable realities of the game’s world rather than offering traditional, empowering gameplay elements. The lack of genuine agency—especially in moral decision-making—underscores the game’s critique of societal structures and personal complicity within them.

Moreover, the Farmer’s dual role as both caregiver and abuser prompts players to challenge their perceptions of narrative ownership and character agency. The blurred lines between player actions and narrative outcomes serve as a critique of how technology can facilitate exploitation and disconnection from moral responsibility.

**Conclusion**

In summary, *Horses* is not merely a game but a complex commentary on power, technology, and the disturbing interplay between representation and reality. Its provocative themes and aesthetic choices provoke discussions about the boundaries of video game narratives and the responsibilities of developers in exploring difficult subjects. As the release date approaches, *Horses* promises to be a defining title in contemporary gaming that elucidates the dark recesses of human existence, challenging players to reflect on their engagement with both the medium and the world around them.