Summary
Given how vast open worlds usually are in gaming, traversing them on foot is inconvenient, so it’s only natural that players expect rideable mounts in any game that allows them to explore huge environments freely. From traditional horses to more exotic creatures like deer, bears, boars, and even flying mounts, many developers strive to offer players the freedom to choose how they traverse these vast fictional worlds.
While many open-world gamesfeature a single, non-customizable mount— often with a special bond to the protagonist, as seen inElden Ring(Torrent),The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt(Roach), orGhost of Tsushima(where players can choose from several pre-designed horse variants and name them) — other titles allow players to switch between different mounts with various skin designs or even offer customization options. Here’s a look at some of the most notable open-world games with deep and flexible mount mechanics.
As the most expansiveAssassin’s Creedgame to date,Valhallaembraces the mount system introduced inOrigins, offering a vast selection of mounts for players to equip, train, and ride. WhileValhalladoesn’t let players customize their mounts beyond choosing from numerous skins, the sheer variety of options (including horses, deer, wolves, bears, boars, lynxes, tigers, and even dragons and drakes) makes this game stand out among open-world titles featuring mounts. On top of that, players can upgrade mount stats, such as sprint length or swim speed.
Alternatively, players can tryAssassin’s Creed OdysseyorAssassin’s Creed Origins, both of which share a similar approach to mounts asValhalla, though with fewer options in terms of variety and skins. Still, these games offer fun rides like mythical Pegasus,legendary Gullinbursti, and camels, adding some unique flavor to the experience.
One of Bethesda’s most acclaimed titles,Skyrimoffers a robust mount system that includes regular horses, which can be purchased or found and tamed, alongside a collection of unique mounts such as Arvak, Frost, Karinda, Shadowmere, and more exotic options like the Unicorn, Reindeer, Daedric, and Dwarven horses, added in re-releases likeAnniversary. These unique mounts not only have special abilities but also boast distinct appearances, while regular horses can be equipped with armor to boost stats and add a personal touch.
Skyrim’s horses aren’t just for travel — they can also be used in combat. But they aren’t the only mounts available. In theDragonbornexpansion, players can tame and ride dragons, adding a whole new layer of excitement to the game’s open-world exploration.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and especiallyTears of the Kingdom, feature a wide variety of mounts that players can discover and own. While most of the mounts in these games are horses, deer, or stags, players can also temporarily ride wildlife like bears or sandseals, adding an extra layer of excitement to the adventure. Somemounts are particularly unique, such as the Golden Horse, Epona, the Giant White Stallion, the eerie Stalhorse, and the mythical Lord of the Mountain.
Moreover,Tears of the Kingdomintroduces an extremely flexible construction system that allows players to build virtually any mechanical mount or vehicle they can imagine, pushing the boundaries of creativity in the game.
Kingdom Come: Deliveranceis renowned for its meticulous dedication to authenticity, immersing players in the everyday life of medieval Europe. The mount system is no exception, offeringcustomizable horses that can be purchased and upgraded. Each horse has unique stats — such as speed, capacity, courage, and stamina — and different tiers (ranging from zero to five), with the best horses being quite expensive.
Players can also equip their horses with various tack, like saddles, bridles, spurs, and horseshoes, which improve stats. Additionally, horses can be outfitted with head and body armor for protection in combat. While many horses inKingdom Come: Deliverancecan be stolen or temporarily ridden, only around 30 pre-designed tier variations can be owned, named, and customized by the player.
For players seeking an impressive and convincing mount system in the open-world genre,Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlordis a standout choice. As the title suggests, mounts — predominantly horses — areintegral to both traversal and combat. A variety of purchasable horses are available, each with a range of stats, including weight, speed, maneuverability, and charge power. In addition, horses come with armor stats that players can customize to maximize their combat effectiveness.Bannerlordalso features modifiers for horses, allowing players to quickly assess the best purpose for each mount they encounter.
However, players must be cautious in combat, as horses can be killed or permanently crippled. While some of these features were present in the originalMount & Blade,Bannerlordoffers a more modern experience, making it the recommended choice for players seeking historical accuracy and depth.
Red Dead Redemption 2raised the bar for realism in open-world games, and its depiction of horses remains unmatched six years later. In this game, horses play a central role, withnearly 30 real-life breeds represented, each belonging to one of several types (riding, work, draft, or war). Horses also come with upgradable stats, and players can customize their appearance and even change their hairstyle. Players can also name their horses and level up their bond by feeding, cleaning, calming, and petting them.
But the customization doesn’t stop there.Red Dead Redemption 2offers an array of customizable tack, including saddles, horns, stirrups, and spurs, giving players the freedom to create a unique mount. While the originalRed Dead Redemptionalso featured customizable mounts,RDR2pushes the realism and customization to an entirely new level, making it one of the best open-world games for mount enthusiasts.
