Horse games are still a big thing today, despite the vast array of games and various genres available. Some older titles like Howrse and Star Stable continue not just to survive but thrive in the ever-competitive landscape. This continues despite the act of riding a horse in-game becoming more of a minor gameplay element in most titles rather than being the main event.

In any case, it’s intriguing as to why they are still a huge deal. Though we can’t exactly pinpoint the exact reasons why let us take a look at some of the most like possibilities:

A generation raised in fairy tales, knights, and westerns

Many of us like horse games, and even if we have not managed to play one in a while, we’ve spent hours and had lots of fun with them before. They appeal to many of us, and the likely reason why is, as kids, we were widely exposed to various TV shows, movies, and books with horses. We’re talking about fairy tales where knights and princes save princesses on their noble steeds and cowboys save the day by lassoing outlaws on top of their mounts.

Even as adults, they continue to strike a chord within us. One can’t help basking in the feeling of being immersed while riding a horse in the countryside in western shooters Red Dead Redemption or when charging into battle in full armor in Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord.

They have a distinct appeal

At first glance, it’s hard to figure out why someone would want to play a game like Howrse. After all, it’s not the most action-packed horse game available today. However, this horse breeding simulation experience has a whopping 60 million players on both mobile and browsers. Why?

Well, not only is it an accessible game, but it also manages to be complex while offering a lot of depth, making it a fantastic option for both new and old players. Other game creators, like Monstera Games, are also getting into this by delivering games like My Fantasy Stable. Apart from these, the same can be said about titles based on My Little Pony and other franchises.

They’re incredibly fun

When you ride a horse in games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Bannerlord, Breath of the Wild, and Skyrim, it feels pretty relaxing, and sometimes, you wish you were on the saddle instead. Though most casual horse games don’t give the same cinematic experience as the abovementioned triple-A juggernauts, they’re enjoyable in their own right. A good example would be Star Stable, a game that manages to provide a horse-centric adventure RPG experience where you can explore a world and perform quests.

Meanwhile, there are also simulators where you can manage a stable, raise horses, and have them compete in races. Others go for a more straightforward experience, like runners and farm-themed horse riding games.

Overall, we don’t see horse games losing relevance in the future. They are pretty entertaining and have their own quirks, giving them a distinct appeal. Moreover, we’re all ingrained to like horses, given that we were raised on fairy tales and westerns. This will continue to be the case with kids today, considering many horse games are pretty educational and are made for them.

So yes, it’s no surprise that horse games are a big thing today and will continue to be in the future.