Yes, the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby is officially out on Steam. The game launched globally for PC, alongside the iOS and Android versions, on June 26, 2025. After years of anticipation since its initial Japanese debut, Western fans can finally download and play the horse girl raising simulator directly from the Steam store, published by Cygames themselves.
Been a long time coming, hasn’t it? The wait for an official English release of Umamusume felt like an eternity, with fans piecing together translations and watching from afar as the game became a phenomenon in Japan. Many wondered if this day would ever come. After countless hours spent with the Japanese version, I can say the official release is everything we hoped for, bringing the full experience of training, racing, and idol performances to a global audience.
Umamusume’s English Release on Steam is Real
It’s not a dream. Cygames officially launched Umamusume: Pretty Derby for a worldwide audience on June 26, 2025. This wasn’t a staggered release; the PC version on Steam dropped simultaneously with the mobile versions, ensuring PC players weren’t left in the dust. The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases, just like its Japanese counterpart.
Why Did the English Version Take So Long?
The journey from its Japanese launch in February 2021 to the global release in June 2025 was a long one. While Cygames never gave a single official reason, the delay likely stemmed from a combination of massive localization work, licensing negotiations for the horse names (which are based on real, legendary Japanese racehorses), and setting up the global server infrastructure needed to support the game.
What’s New in the English PC Version?
The Steam version is a direct port of the beloved mobile game, optimized for PC. It features full cross-platform support, allowing you to link your account and sync progress between your phone and computer. The English release also includes some quality-of-life updates from the Japanese version right from the start, such as landscape mode for races, making for an improved initial player experience.
Gameplay: What Do You Actually Do?
At its heart, Umamusume is a deep training simulation game. You take on the role of a trainer at Tracen Academy, tasked with raising “horse girls.” Your goal is to manage their training schedules, decide which stats to improve, and guide them to victory in races. Winning races unlocks dazzling 3D idol-style musical performances. It’s an addictive loop of management, strategy, and stunning presentation.
Is There Enough Content at Launch?
Absolutely. While the Japanese version is years ahead, the global release has a robust starting roster of over 20 fan-favorite horse girls, including Special Week and Silence Suzuka. Cygames has also confirmed that events and new character banners will be released at an accelerated pace to help the global version catch up, meaning there will be a steady stream of new content for players to dive into.
Understanding the Gacha System
Like many mobile titles, Umamusume features a gacha system. You’ll pull for new Umamusume (characters) and Support Cards, which are crucial for effective training. Support Cards provide stat boosts, special skills, and unlock unique training events. Thankfully, the game is known for being quite generous, frequently giving out free currency and high-rarity tickets.
Is the Game Worth Playing on Steam?
After spending dozens of hours on the Steam version, I can confidently say it’s the definitive way to experience the game if you’re at your desk. The high-resolution graphics pop on a larger monitor, the exhilarating race scenes feel even more cinematic, and managing training schedules is a breeze with a mouse and keyboard. It runs smoothly and offers the same addictive gameplay loop that made the original a hit.
Can My PC Run Umamusume?
The game isn’t incredibly demanding. The official minimum requirements list an Intel Core i3-4360 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 750Ti graphics card. This means most modern PCs and even many older gaming rigs should have no trouble running the game smoothly at 1080p.
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