“Controlling These Beasts Is Such a Hassle”: 5 Ways Oblivion Remastered’s Horses Compare to Red Dead Redemption 2’s
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, first released in 2006, redefined open-world RPGs with its sprawling province of Cyrodiil, where players could explore on horseback, weaving through forests and charging into battle. In 2025, Oblivion Remastered brings this classic to modern audiences with enhanced visuals, smoother combat, and optimized performance. Yet, its horses—beloved for their quirky charm—have sparked heated comparisons to the meticulously crafted mounts of Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), Rockstar Games’ 2018 Western epic. Players often grumble, “Controlling these beasts is such a hassle!” when navigating Oblivion’s clunky steeds, but do they outshine RDR2’s polished ponies in other ways? Across five key areas—accessibility, combat, customization, handling, and charm—Oblivion Remastered’s horses offer a nostalgic thrill that rivals RDR2’s realism, even if they stumble in precision. Saddle up as we explore why this equine debate is galloping through gaming communities.
The Role of Horses in Gaming
Horses in video games are more than transportation; they’re companions that shape the player’s journey. In RDR2, horses are lifelike, with realistic behaviors and deep customization, reflecting the game’s immersive Wild West setting. Oblivion, born in an earlier era, treats horses as functional tools, prioritizing accessibility over realism. Oblivion Remastered preserves this approach, enhancing horse models with sharper textures and better lighting but retaining their original mechanics. This contrast—between RDR2’s grounded simulation and Oblivion’s fantastical simplicity—frames our comparison of five distinct aspects that define the horse-riding experience in both games.
1. Accessibility: Instant Mounts in Oblivion
Oblivion Remastered makes horse-riding effortless. From the game’s opening, players can steal a horse from a stable or purchase one, with options like the 500-gold Paint Horse or the 5,000-gold Black Horse available at locations like the Chestnut Handy Stables. The iconic Shadowmere, a Daedric steed gifted during the Dark Brotherhood questline, is a fan favorite for her speed and durability. Horses are summonable almost anywhere, even after fast travel, making them instantly accessible. This design suits Oblivion’s 16-square-mile map, where quick travel across cities like Anvil or Bruma is essential for quests.
RDR2, by contrast, ties horse access to its narrative and world. Early in the game, players rely on story-provided horses or must tame wild ones, with better breeds like Arabians unlocked later via stables or missions. Horses don’t teleport to your side; you must whistle, and they won’t appear if you’re too far or in a dense urban area. This realism enhances immersion but can frustrate players seeking convenience. For accessibility, Oblivion Remastered’s hassle-free mounts take the reins, especially for newcomers eager to explore Cyrodiil without delay.
2. Combat: Oblivion’s Mounted Chaos
Horseback combat is a highlight of Oblivion Remastered. Players can wield swords, shoot arrows, or cast spells while galloping, turning horses into versatile battle platforms. Quests like “The Battle for Castle Kvatch” or Oblivion Gate assaults feel cinematic as you charge enemies on Shadowmere, who boasts high health and can knock foes down. The remaster’s improved animations and particle effects make these moments visually striking, with horses rearing dramatically amid fire and steel.
RDR2’s horseback combat is more restrained, rooted in its Western setting. Players can fire revolvers, rifles, or lassos, but horses react realistically to gunfire, rearing or bolting if spooked. Aiming while riding is tricky, and the game’s physics demand careful positioning. While this creates tense, immersive shootouts, it lacks Oblivion’s over-the-top flair. For players who love dynamic, fantasy-style combat, Oblivion Remastered’s horses deliver an exhilarating edge that RDR2’s can’t replicate.
3. Customization: RDR2’s Personal Touch
RDR2 shines in horse customization, offering a depth that Oblivion Remastered can’t match. The game features 19 horse breeds—Mustangs, Thoroughbreds, Shires, and more—each with distinct stats for speed, stamina, and handling. At stables, players can name their horse, equip saddles, stirrups, and blankets, and customize manes and tails. This personalization builds emotional bonds, making events like a horse’s injury or death during a mission deeply affecting. The ability to groom and feed horses further enhances the connection.
Oblivion’s horses are far simpler. The game offers seven types—Bay, Black, Chestnut, Paint, White, Shadowmere, and the rare unicorn—with fixed appearances and stats. There’s no naming, gear customization, or bonding mechanics. Even with remastered visuals, the horses’ models feel basic, and only Shadowmere’s glowing red eyes add personality. For players who crave individuality, RDR2’s customizable steeds gallop far ahead of Oblivion’s static mounts.
4. Handling: Oblivion’s Clunky Canter
Horse handling is where Oblivion Remastered falters, earning its reputation as a hassle. Horses in Oblivion feel like tanks, with sluggish turning and a tendency to get stuck on rocks, trees, or small ledges. Navigating tight paths, like the winding trails near Cheydinhal, is frustrating, as horses often refuse to jump or clip through terrain. The remaster improves frame rates and collision detection, but the core mechanics, unchanged from 2006, feel dated. Players must wrestle with controls, especially at high speeds, where steering feels like wrangling a stubborn beast.
RDR2’s horses, by contrast, are responsive and lifelike. Breeds handle differently—Arabians are agile, Shires are slow but steady—and the game’s physics account for terrain, weather, and horse stamina. Galloping through mud or snow feels distinct, and horses can jump fences or navigate rocky paths with ease. This precision makes RDR2’s riding intuitive, even in chaotic chases. For handling, RDR2’s mounts are leagues ahead, while Oblivion’s clunky controls test players’ patience.
5. Charm: Oblivion’s Nostalgic Gallop
Despite its flaws, Oblivion Remastered’s horses exude a unique charm that RDR2’s realism can’t replicate. Their exaggerated animations—galloping with cartoonish gusto or rearing dramatically—evoke the early days of open-world gaming. Shadowmere, with her supernatural aura, feels like a mythical companion, while quirks like horses surviving impossible falls or clipping through gates add unintentional humor. The remaster’s vibrant landscapes, from the Colovian Highlands to the Jerall Mountains, make riding a joyous, if chaotic, adventure.
RDR2’s horses are charming in a different way, with lifelike behaviors like nuzzling the player or reacting to wolves. Yet, their realism can feel clinical compared to Oblivion’s whimsical energy. For players nostalgic for 2006’s unpolished magic, Oblivion’s horses carry a sentimental weight that outshines RDR2’s technical prowess, especially for fans revisiting Cyrodiil.
The Bigger Picture: Design Philosophy and Player Expectations
The comparison reflects broader differences between the two games. RDR2 is a product of 2018’s technology, with a budget and team size that dwarfed Oblivion’s. Its horses are a technical marvel, designed to immerse players in a living world. Oblivion, built in 2006, prioritized breadth—offering a vast world with guilds, quests, and mounts—over mechanical depth. Oblivion Remastered enhances visuals and performance but doesn’t overhaul horse mechanics, as Bethesda aimed to preserve the original experience.
Fan reactions highlight this divide. Some players adore Oblivion’s horses for their simplicity and charm, especially with mods that improve handling or add new breeds. Others, accustomed to RDR2’s polish, find Oblivion’s mounts frustratingly outdated. The remaster’s stunning environments make riding visually spectacular, but the clunky controls remind players of the game’s age. As gaming evolves, Oblivion Remastered’s horses remain a love letter to an era when ambition often outpaced technology.
Why the Debate?
Oblivion Remastered’s horses are a paradox: clunky yet charming, simple yet iconic. They can’t match RDR2’s technical finesse, but their nostalgic appeal and combat versatility keep them in the race. Whether you’re charging through Cyrodiil or trotting across the frontier, both games offer unforgettable equine adventures. The debate over which game’s horses reign supreme is fueling passionate discussions, blending nostalgia with modern expectations. Mount up and join the conversation to see why these steeds are stirring up such a fuss!
