Let's say there's a typical modern AAA open-world game. There's a 99% chance that there will be a horse. Or maybe not a horse, but something else, like a flying broom or a mechanical horse. But it will all work like a horse. The problem is that this is one of the most boring game mechanics you can think of.
After all, what is a horse? It's just seven-league boots. It's exactly the same as regular walking, only faster. The driving process looks like this - you just hold the "forward" button and sometimes adjust the course. It's hard to come up with something more boring.
Let's compare this, for example, with GTA 4. Yes, the car moves quite slowly, but it obeys the laws of physics and can easily skid on a turn. It bounces on potholes and reacts to the terrain. There is a feeling that I am not fully in control of the situation and the slightest mistake can lead to an accident. There is no time to get bored here.
So what do we have? Boring game mechanics that cause nothing but despondency. It is clear why it is needed - after all, the alternative is teleportation or even more boring travel on foot. Although, in my opinion, travel on foot can be made quite exciting, but this is a separate conversation.
But there are games in which moving around the world is made fun. I have already mentioned GTA4 above, but here you can also add other GTAs (VC, SA, 5), as well as PUBG. In the case of PUBG, it should be said that we are talking about motorcycles, because other types of transport are pretty boring. I’ve read a gossip that some people logged into PUBG just to ride a motorcycle on Miramar. There is a special thrill in getting a good accelerationl, taking off on some bump, doing a backflip and landing beautifully.
In my opinion, almost any modern game will be much better if you replace the horse with a motorcycle from PUBG / GTA:VC. It should be noted that we are talking about game mechanics, not appearance. There are games (for example, Days Gone) where there is a motorcycle, but it behaves like a horse. Such games are no better than others.
And this is where an idea comes to mind. If in Days Gone a motorcycle works like a horse, then why not make a game in which a horse works like a motorcycle? I mean, it's clear that I can't make such a game myself, it's just an idea.
Visually and soundwise, it can just be a regular horse. But in terms of gameplay, it should be completely identical to the motorcycle from PUBG. It should quickly accelerate to great speed, lean on turns and fly up into the air on ramps. Obviously, this idea has its problems. Firstly, it is unclear how to animate the horse's legs if it is running at 120 km/hour. Secondly, it is completely unrealistic.
The second problem seems less significant to me, because if you think about it, the games are not realistic at all. There are a lot of conventions there. For example, in real life no cowboy can survive 15 bullet wounds. I believe that realism should not come before playability. If another game convention makes the game better, then so be it.