Traveling by horse has become a popular method of travel in games, and looking back at some popular games from the past few years, this seems to only be increasing. Although this has undoubtedly been a popular way of travel in gaming for years, there are a handful of great modern games that opt for a focus on this idea.
In no particular order, here are 5 of the best games that let you travel on horseback.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Hearing Breath of the Wild’s gentle and uplifting melodies as you ride through Hyrule on horseback for the first time feels really special. The series’ famous triumphant orchestral score takes a backseat, shifting to soft piano music which makes for the perfect backdrop when galloping across Hyrule.
Horse riding is arguably the best way to take in the world’s scenery, although you won’t be able to take your noble steed into the Gerudo desert.
Breath of the Wild hosts a range of tameable horses with varied stamina, speed, and strength, and can also be found in a wide range of areas across the world. These horses can also either be wild or gentle in temperament, affecting how easy they are to tame and calm – and how much stamina is used in doing so.
Epona, Link’s trusty companion and arguably the best horse in the game – boasting a modest four stars in each stat and a gentle temperament – is available through activating the Smash Bros. Link amiibo, but isn’t accessible otherwise.
Breath of the Wild also hosts unique horses such as the Giant horse and the Royal horse which represent connections to Ganon and Zelda. Another unique horse is the Lord of the Mountain, a rarer horse which cannot be tamed and kept in a stable. This horse is found at Satori Mountain, a picturesque mountain with a lone cherry blossom tree, and makes for an interesting and fun find, albeit impractical in other gameplay.
Breath of the Wild also allows players to ride bears, deer, and other wildlife, although these cannot be tamed.
