Summary
- Games like ARK: Survival Evolved feature in-depth mechanics for taming and training dinosaurs and creatures.
- Titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2 offer players the ability to tame and ride wild horses in an open world.
- Far Cry Primal involves taming various wild animals like bears and wolves for combat and exploration.
Sandbox-style, open-world games provide unparalleled autonomy, enabling gamers to traverse expansive terrains, partake in often open-ended quests, and connect with ever-changing environments. One of the most gratifying features in some of these games is creature taming. Not all open-world games focus on taming, but many of them include the mechanic to some extent.
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Taming a creature could result in granting players the ability to bond with, fight alongside, or ride wildlife found roaming untamed regions. Whether tracking prey with a devoted canine, gliding above landscapes atop a colossal winged beast, or leading a group of formidable hunters, these titles integrate animal companionship as a fundamental element.
8 Outward
Tame And Use Mounts And Beasts Of Burden
Outward
- Released
- March 26, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Weak
Outward is an open-world, fantasy role-playing game that is notable for bringing in mechanics from other genres, such as survival games. The player has to ensure they don’t starve, die of thirst, or become exhausted, for example.
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The reason why Outward is featured as the bottom entry on this list, is that animal taming is limited to mounts and other types of pets, which can be ridden or used to carry items, and even used to assist the player in combat. Outward can be a brutal game, and having a good combat pet and mount can help the player to survive.
7 Pixark
A Voxelized Tribute To ARK: Survival Evolved
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, GeForce Now, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Released: March 27, 2018
- Developer: Snail, Snail Games USA
- Genre: Massively multiplayer online game
Taking an early spot on this list is Pixark, a game that was developed to closely mimic the game mechanics of ARK: Survival Evolved (which is covered later in this list). The open-world map of Pixark is procedurally generated, and uses voxel-style graphics.
The animal taming mechanics in Pixark follow the original style very closely, although represented differently of course. Players can tame dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, each of which has different abilities and can be used in a range of ways, from combat pets to mounts. Overall, Pixarc is a fun, lighthearted game, that pays tribute to one of the best taming-focused games of all time.
6 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Capture And Stable Wild Horses
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo EPD
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii U, Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
With its dynamic physics system and exquisitely crafted open-world game map, T he Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild raised the standard for such games on release, and is still widely popular at the time of writing.
The player can interact with many animals such as bears and wolves, although these cannot be tamed or trained. The game made this list for the horse-taming mechanics. Horses can be snuck up on, soothed, and tamed. Once tamed, they can be stabled and used as mounts. Each horse has different stats, and it can be quite a challenge to find and tame the very best available.
5 Far Cry Primal
Tame Wild Animals
Far Cry Primal
- Released
- February 23, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Montreal
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Taking on the role of Takkar, a hunter who is a member of a primitive tribe, players can explore a highly detailed open-world map. Far Cry Primal moves away from the classic Far Cry gameplay, and brings in survival elements and animal taming.
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Many different beasts can be tamed in Far Cry Primal, including bears, wolves, and even sabretooth tigers. Different animals have different weaknesses and strengths and can help the player in different ways. For example, some animals can act as advanced scouts, whilst others become vicious combat pets.
4 Atlas
Tame Fantasy Beasts
- Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Released: December 22, 2018
- Developer: Grapeshot Games, Instinct Games
- Genre: Massively multiplayer online game, Adventure game
There is no denying that Atlas had something of a rock launch. However, this pirate-themed open-world game has come a long way in recent years. The game features a huge open-world map that can be freely explored.
Exploration is a big thing in Atlas, and during this exploration, the player will encounter a wide range of tameable animals, and also exotic creatures that can be tamed. These can be trained to assist the player, as mounts, beasts of burden, or even to assist the player in building ships.
3 Conan Exiles
Tame A Wide Range Of Creatures
Conan Exiles
- Released
- May 8, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Funcom
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Survival, Action-Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Conan Exiles is a sandbox open-world survival game, with a significant multiplayer aspect. Players can team up with friends to take on dungeons, explore the realm, and build an entire settlement if they wish to.
Creature taming is a large part of the gameplay in Conan Exiles. Players can tame a wide range of different animals, each of which can be used in different ways. Some can help the player in combat, others can help to carry heavy loads. And, of course, many of them can be trained as mounts and ridden.
2 Red Dead Redemption 2
Tame Wild Horses
Red Dead Redemption 2
- Released
- October 26, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Red Dead Redemption 2 likely needs no introduction, as it is widely regarded as one of the best open-world games ever released. Following the adventures of Arthur Morgan, the player is free to explore the map at will, and enjoy any activity at any time, and this includes taming wild horses.
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There are a number of different breeds of wild horses in the game, all of which can be tamed and trained. They can then be ridden, and the relationship between the player and their mount is one of the most charming things about the game.
1 ARK: Survival Evolved
Tame Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Creatures
ARK: Survival Evolved
- Released
- August 29, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
In ARK: Survival Evolved, the player faces the challenge of learning to survive in a harsh, prehistoric landscape. This is an action-adventure game that borrows very heavily from the survival genre. The player needs to gather resources, craft equipment and tools, and set up a base.
The reason why ARK: Survival Evolved takes the top spot on this list is the fact that taming, and specifically training dinosaurs, is central to the gameplay mechanics. The player is free to capture, train, and even ride a range of dinos and other prehistoric creatures. Some can be ridden, others help out in other ways. Overall, a great open-world game with animal-taming mechanics.
Open World Games That Have No Combat
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