You Won’t Believe the Best Open-World Games With Flying Mounts

Summary

Open-world games offer unique and iconic mounts for traversal beyond simply walking or running.
Notable games like ARK: Survival Evolved and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet embrace flying mounts.
Games like Palworld and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War feature creative ways to ride in-game creatures.

In the vast, sprawling worlds of open-gameplay titles, it’s not just about strolling or sprinting when it comes to navigating mammoth maps that stretch out before you like endless oceans. The journey from point A to B can sometimes feel overwhelming and tedious, so developers have come up with creative solutions to make traversal exciting. One of these solutions is the inclusion of vehicles and animals as travel options. Over time, this has led to some truly distinctive and memorable mounts being introduced in-game. As a gamer, I find myself drawn to these unique steeds, eager to conquer the land atop their backs.

Instead of certain open-world games enabling flight through gear or abilities, as seen in the Batman series’ cape or the suit in Anthem, others adopt a distinct strategy. Here is a compilation of some exceptional open-world games featuring mounts that players can capture, call, ride, and even battle with side by side.

The following doesn’t cover games featuring flying vehicles, massively multiplayer online (MMO) titles, or those requiring modifications (mods) to get the mounts.

10. ARK: Survival Evolved

Survive A Prehistoric-Slash-Sci-Fi Island Where Dinosaurs Are Rideable

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t deny that ARK: Survival Evolved has certainly faced its share of challenges. Even the remastered version, Survival Ascended, has been met with criticism during its early access phase. Yet, despite these issues, it continues to captivate countless players like myself, thanks to its one-of-a-kind concept and game mechanics that keep us hooked.

In the game titled “ARK: Survival Evolved“, players find themselves in a challenging world filled with hazardous wildlife, treacherous terrains, and fellow competitors. Apart from the standard survival mechanics like crafting, resource gathering, and base construction, this game offers an extraordinary element: players can subdue not just dinosaurs but also legendary creatures such as Wyverns, and train them to collect resources, engage in combat, or even ride them as mounts.

9. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Ride, Glide, And Swim On The Games’ Mascots

It might come as a shock that the early versions of Pokemon didn’t immediately take off, but their rocky beginnings are now a distant memory. Over time, not only did they expand into various forms of media, but they also evolved, eventually adopting the open-world gameplay style.

In an innovative twist for the main series of Pokemon games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet offer players an entirely new method of exploration and discovering novel Pokemon. To accommodate this fresh approach, unique travel methods were incorporated; the Dragon-type creatures Koraidon (in Scarlet) and Miraidon (in Violet) can be ridden not only on land but also in water and flight, providing a diverse way to traverse every inch of the map.

8. Palworld

A Multiplayer Survival Game With Plenty Of Monsters To Tame

In recent times, the game Palworld has gained quite a reputation for its striking resemblance to the classic games of Pokemon, particularly in terms of the “Pal” designs and gathering mechanics. However, it’s important to acknowledge that Palworld deserves more than just criticism. At its heart, this game is a survival title, featuring crafting, base-building, and hunger management, which sets it apart from others like ARK.

In the game, the system for training and using Pal companions is one of its most attractive features. These tamed creatures can be utilized in battles or as mounts to ride on. Some of these flying Pals even allow you to traverse the skies. Equipped with gunplay mechanics and an option for multiplayer mode, Palworld is a delightful indie game that’s perfect for playing with friends.

7. Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Gives New Life To The Beautiful Moon

As a fervent enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that compared to the massive hits like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry from Ubisoft, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora seems to fly under the radar. Yet, there’s no arguing the fact that this game is a visual marvel. In this captivating adventure, I find myself embodying a Na’vi character, facing off against the RDA as they encroach upon Pandora, all while navigating my own internal struggles with identity.

The beautiful and captivating landscapes make the game an exciting destination for exploration. Luckily, players have the chance to ride a bird-like creature called an ikran, or banshee, to traverse the vast scenery. After completing the “Take Flight” mission, players can even enhance the mount’s capabilities by unlocking additional skills.

6. No Man’s Sky

Explore Space And Discover Weird And Wonderful Species

Initially met with underwhelming reception, the space exploration game No Man’s Sky has undergone significant enhancements post-launch. Over 37 major updates have been rolled out since its release, which has significantly enriched the originally sparse content. Upgrades in base-building, combat, and quests have made the game a lot more engaging now.

In version 3.20, a new feature was introduced: players can now domesticate pets and even hop on them for a ride! Just like the other planets, the animals you encounter are randomly generated, so who knows what bizarre alien creatures you might stumble upon. While their usefulness may vary, they’re still a delight to ride around with!

5. Terraria

Explore A Diverse, Procedurally Generated World

In the style of a sandbox game, Terraria drops players into an uncharted 2D world with no set path, encouraging them to delve into discovery as much or as little as they wish. There’s a wealth of intriguing elements to uncover, such as various biomes, peculiar adversaries, and unique treasures. For those who prefer a less perilous journey, it offers basic construction options for building a home base.

As a gamer, I can definitely spice up my exploration by summoning an array of extraordinary mounts! Just make sure I’ve got the right item to do so. Before venturing into Hardmode, I can hop on a colossal Bee for some exciting rides, while in Hardmode, I get to soar through the skies on Pigron and Rudolph-style flying creatures!

4. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

A Cornerstone Of Open-World RPGs

More than ten years since its debut, players continue to revisit the captivating world of “Skyrim“. The appeal lies in its immersive fantasy setting, limitless role-playing opportunities, and diverse character builds. Whether following the main storylines, venturing into the wilderness, or assuming the life of a merchant, each experience remains enjoyable. Yet what truly sets it apart is the thrilling sensation that the player carries within them, the powerful heritage of a dragon’s blood.

With the addition of the Dragonborn DLC (available in the Special Edition), players gain an exciting opportunity: they can command a dragon! By mastering the “Bend Will” shout, you’ll be able to mount this mighty beast. Although dragons can’t be manually controlled, players can quickly travel while riding them and giving commands will guide their direction. Dressed in full dragon-bone armor, soaring through the skies on a dragon is an unforgettable experience!

3. Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War

Become Part Of Tolkien’s Legendarium

In terms of fantasy literature, Tolkien stands as one of the most iconic authors, passing down a massive legacy and one of the grandest examples of world-building in history. The video game, Middle-earth: Shadow of War, honors both Tolkien’s works and Peter Jackson’s adaptations by presenting an open-world action game that mirrors their epic scale.

In the world of Middle-earth, players get ample chances to explore freely, facing various creatures as they go. The fierce Dragons, resembling fellbeasts, can be tamed for riding. With the special skill “Dragon Song,” players can summon a Dragon to soar through the skies and unleash fiery breath on anyone who challenges them.

2. Hogwarts Legacy

An Immersive Rendition Of The Wizarding World

The Harry Potter brand is incredibly famous, with its book series being one of the all-time best-selling collections. Hogwarts Legacy represents another addition to the lineup of licensed games, set at the legendary magical school in the 1890s during the turmoil of Ranrok’s goblin uprising.

In addition to the captivating story about a student mastering ancient magic, there’s an abundance of role-playing game (RPG) features to explore, such as character personalization and advancement. As players progress through the primary storyline, they’ll uncover mounts; two legendary creatures, Thestral and Hippogryff, are among those that players can enjoy gliding above Hogwarts on.

1. Horizon Forbidden West

The Post-Apocalypse, A Deadly Plague, And Mechanical Dinosaurs

The Horizon series stands out for its captivating settings and ideas, with Forbidden West being no different. On one side, you have a stunning post-apocalyptic landscape where resources are sparse, leaving the survivors to live much like early humans. However, on the other side, there’s advanced technology, AI deities, robotic dinosaurs, and a lethal disease that looms over humanity, threatening its very existence.

In the sequel, Forbidden West, they’ve expanded on the “override” feature from its predecessor, Zero Dawn. This expansion includes a variety of new machines that can be ridden once tamed. One such machine is the Sunwing, which resembles a Pterosaur in design. You’ll gain access to this flying machine after finishing “Cauldron GEMINI” during the main quest, number fourteen, titled “Gemini.” Unlike some of the other machines, the Sunwing isn’t heavily fortified, but it makes up for that with incredible speed. It also has a distinctive ability: it can drop players into difficult-to-reach locations.

2025-03-29 07:16