Open-world games have consistently evolved traversal mechanics beyond basic movement, transforming vast digital landscapes from daunting obstacles into exhilarating playgrounds. When maps stretch across hundreds of square kilometers, developers increasingly implement flying mounts—ranging from mythological beasts to futuristic machines—to empower players with vertical freedom and breathtaking perspectives. These airborne companions aren't just transportation shortcuts; they redefine exploration dynamics, combat strategies, and environmental storytelling across genres from survival adventures to fantasy RPGs. As of 2025, titles like Palworld and Horizon Forbidden West demonstrate how creative mount designs continue pushing boundaries in player immersion.
🦖 ARK: Survival Evolved & Survival Ascended
Despite technical controversies, ARK's dinosaur-taming mechanics remain iconic. Players conquer environments by bonding with prehistoric creatures like Wyverns—fire-breathing mounts enabling aerial resource gathering and combat. The 2023 remaster, Survival Ascended, expanded these systems, letting riders swoop between volcanic peaks while managing hunger and stamina meters mid-flight.
⚡ Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Paldea's legendary mounts Koraidon (Scarlet) and Miraidon (Violet) revolutionized Pokémon traversal. These Dragon-type companions dynamically shift forms: sprinting across plains, swimming through oceans, and soaring above mountain ranges. Their flight mechanics eliminated map boundaries, encouraging secret-discovery in previously inaccessible cloud-draped plateaus.
🔫 Palworld's Controversial Skies
Dubbed "Pokémon with guns," this survival smash hit lets players capture and ride over 10 flying Pals. Jetragon—a rocket-powered dragon—exemplifies high-velocity aerial combat, while Frostallion Noct offers stealthy nocturnal gliding. Despite copyright debates, its mount diversity remains unmatched: 🚀🐉
| Game | Mount Name | Unlock Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | Ikran | Complete "Take Flight" quest |
| Hogwarts Legacy | Hippogriff | Main story progression |
| Horizon Forbidden West | Sunwing | Finish "Cauldron GEMINI" |
🌌 No Man's Sky's Alien Skimmers
Version 3.20 introduced procedurally generated flying creatures across quintillions of planets. These bizarre extraterrestrial mounts—from crystalline floaters to gas-bag jellyfish—highlight Hello Games' redemption arc. Though practicality varies, their sheer unpredictability fuels cosmic exploration.
🐉 Skyrim's Dragon Riding Legacy
Over a decade post-launch, the Dragonborn DLC's "Bend Will" shout still delivers unmatched fantasy power. Commanding dragons while clad in bone armor creates cinematic moments, though limited steering mechanics show their age.
🧙 Hogwarts Legacy's Mythical Gliders
Thestrals and Hippogriffs provide wizarding-world-accurate flight, weaving through Gothic spires during goblin rebellion quests. Ancient magic trails visually enhance these nighttime journeys across Scotland-inspired highlands.
People Also Ask
-
Which game has the most functional flying mounts? Horizon Forbidden West's Sunwing combines reconnaissance, fast travel, and precision dropping mechanics.
-
Can you battle while mounted? Yes! Palworld and Shadow of War enable airborne combat with specialized attacks.
-
Are flying mounts always late-game unlocks? Typically yes (e.g., Avatar's Ikran), though Terraria offers early bees 🐝 and Hardmode reindeer.
🌋 Middle-earth: Shadow of War's Drakes
Tolkien-inspired Drakes unleash firestorms on orc armies when summoned via "Dragon Song." Their screeching dives during fortress sieges create LoTR-worthy spectacle moments.
⚙️ Horizon Forbidden West's Robotic Revolution
Post-GEMINI quest, the Pterosaur-like Sunwing enables machine-vs-machine dogfights. Its scan-and-strike capabilities integrate perfectly with the override system, though vulnerability balances its reconnaissance advantages.
🐝 Terraria's Quirky Critters
This 2D sandbox offers surprise aerial options like Giant Bees for early exploration and Hardmode's flying pigs 🐖. Their pixelated charm contrasts triple-A realism.
💭 While current tech enables stunning aerial vistas, what innovations might emerge? Could neuro-adaptive mounts learn player habits? Or might climate systems transform mount functionality? The evolution of virtual flight remains gloriously unpredictable...