With horses being the most beloved human companion for thousands of years, we can definitely spot their presence in video games, especially in those ones that take place in the olden days. Over the years, game developers have faced the same problem of recreating the horse’s movement into a video game animation that is close to reality.
Horses are incredible creatures with many different attributes to be considered. From movement, handling, visuals, and appearance, horses have been a challenge for every game developer.
With that said, there are some games that managed to create a realistic horse riding experience and capture the perfect horse mechanics. If you are a true horse lover, such games will be perfect for you.
You can read more interesting facts about horses here: edge.twinspires.com/racing/20-fascinating-facts-about-horses/
Since there are thousands of games that contain horses, we’ve taken the time to find some of the most popular ones that horse-riding fans would love.
Let’s find out which are the best.
Most Popular Horse Riding Games
Red Dead Redemption 2
If we talk about horse mechanics, appearance, and the entire horse riding experience in a game, there isn’t any other game that comes close to Red Dead Redemption 2.
It seems like the developers behind the game have put quite a lot of effort into recreating the most realistic horse-owning experience to the point where you need to take care of your horse and bond with this majestic creature.
Red Dead Redemption 2 features all kinds of different horse breeds, each coming with a unique set of abilities. Some horses are better for straight-line speed, others for battling or long rides.
On top of that horses come with personality traits, special quirks, and the ability to bond with you as a player as you take care of them. You can also train them to increase their skills and make them more useful in the game.
The visual presentation of the horses in RDR2 is also incredible. They went to a point where the horse’s appearance changes based on its diet, weather, and environment. The developers even decided to make a mechanic that will shrink the horse’s testicles in cold weather.
It is truly one of the best games that include horses, and it is very popular due to its extreme attention to detail.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Since we are talking about video games that contain horses, Elder Scrolls should definitely be on this list. There isn’t a game that includes such a wide array of horses as Elder Scrolls Online.
Every horse comes with different attributes, such as coat colors, countries of origin, body type, and much more.
One of the differences between RDR2 and Elder Scrolls is that horses in this game are not so realistic. They come in different forms inspired by mythical creatures that go along with the theme of the game.
One of the best things about horses’ in Elder Scrolls is that developers took the time to create a horse that will suit everyone’s playstyle and character.
Zelda Breath of The Wild
Here we have another very popular game that has a long history with horses. The first time Link met Epona (his beloved horse) was way back in Ocarina of Time, and since then Zelda has always been about the connection between Link and his horse.
In Breath of the Wild, players can tame their own wild horses, and there are many different horses with multiple coat colors, skill levels, and temperaments.
Just like in other games, there is a strong bond between the main character of the game and its horse, which represents the birth of a long-running relationship.
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 is without a doubt one of the most popular games that include horses and a strong connection between this incredible creature and the main character of the game. The main horse of this game is the roach, which is Geralt’s most faithful companion.
Even though this game doesn’t feature different horse breeds, and you are limited only to Roach, it is certainly one of the most charismatic horses of them all. As you progress through the story of the game, you’ll create a unique bond with your horse making the entire gameplay even more fun.