The Best Games That Let You Build A Relationship With Your Mount

Honestly, companions on four legs often leave a way bigger mark on players than most NPCs ever do. A good mount isn’t just helpful for transportation; it’s a partner that truly carries the weight of the journey, both literally and emotionally.

The following games go the extra mile with mounts. They let players forge genuine bonds with their trusty steeds, their beastly companions, and even those really oddball animal friends. From majestic warhorses to feathered giants, these relationships very often become the very heart of the experience.

Shadow Of The Colossus

Agro, The Quiet Heartbeat

Agro is more than just a mount; she’s Wander’s only companion in a bleak, often wordless world. Their journey across the Forbidden Lands feels so much lonelier without her steady gallop, and the game treats her with a quiet, almost sacred reverence.

Players rely on Agro to traverse vast, empty landscapes, and she even takes part in some of those terrifying colossus fights, turning her bond with Wander into a real survival necessity. Her emotional weight peaks in one unforgettable cliffside scene, a proper gut punch that reminds players how much Agro truly matters. Few mounts have ever been so utterly central to the emotional core of a game.

Red Dead Redemption 2

Arthur’s Last Friend

Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 are genuinely fully fleshed-out companions. They’ve got their own personalities, their own stats, and those little character quirks. Grooming them, feeding them, calming them down after a really intense gunfight all build a bond that feels surprisingly real.

That attachment really pays off in the quiet moments, like Arthur just patting his horse after a long, hard ride. But it also makes the final moments of the game hit like a train if players happen to lose their trusted steed before the very end. Rockstar didn’t just make horses functional; they made them proper friends worth caring for.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A Trusty Steed

Hyrule’s horses aren’t just background animals. They’re living creatures with temperaments and trust meters that players absolutely must earn. Taming a wild horse takes patience, and once a bond is formed, they become steadfast allies across the massive open world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Even better, horses can be named, stabled, and called from almost anywhere, making them feel genuinely personal. That sense of ownership, paired with Hyrule’s beautiful, rolling fields, makes every single ride feel like a quiet adventure in itself. It’s quite magical.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings Of Ruin

Wings Of Friendship

Instead of just generic mounts, Monster Hunter Stories 2 gives players Monsties: creatures hatched from eggs and raised through countless battles. These aren’t disposable companions, either. Oh no, they’re lifelong partners who level up, gain skills, and fight side by side with their rider.

Each Monstie feels unique, from their individual design to their distinct combat abilities, and players can build a full team of favorites. That extra layer of personal growth turns them into far more than just transportation. They become trusted partners in a dangerous world, often filled with monsters ten times their size.

Ghost Of Tsushima

Jin’s Silent Companion

Jin’s horse in Ghost of Tsushima is a rare, truly excellent example of a mount that the story treats with genuine dignity. Chosen at the start of the game and named by the player, Nobu (or whichever name is picked) becomes an incredibly loyal partner on Jin’s intense path to becoming the titular Ghost.

Their bond is tested time and time again throughout the Mongol invasion. By the end, Jin’s horse feels like an intrinsic part of his honor and identity. The game ensures Nobu receives a farewell that feels as somber and respectful as any samurai’s death poem. It’s incredibly moving.

The Last Guardian

Trico’s Patience And Power

Trico is not a typical mount. This is a towering, feathered creature that slowly but surely learns to trust its companion, the player, over the course of The Last Guardian. At first stubborn and easily startled, Trico gradually grows into a cooperative partner, following commands and helping to solve all sorts of tricky puzzles.

The relationship here is the core of the story. Trico’s incredibly expressive animations and dog-like behaviors make it effortless for players to care deeply about the creature. By the finale, every single leap onto Trico’s back feels hard-earned, the culmination of hours of building mutual trust through shared struggle.

Biomutant

A Furry Apocalypse Partner

Biomutant takes a much more chaotic approach to mounts, letting players collect an assortment of different creatures to tame and ride. From mutant beasts to quirky mechanical contraptions, it’s all here. Each mount has its own distinct personality and visual charm, fitting perfectly into the game’s colorful, post-apocalyptic world.

Though they might lack the narrative weight of some other entries on this list, the sheer variety encourages players to experiment and find their own personal favorites. Who doesn’t love riding into battle on a giant goat-like creature while the world burns?