One exploration gameplay feature for The Legend of Zelda has become a traditional part of the franchise, but a future game would benefit from subverting it and implementing a new mechanic instead. Of course, plenty of Zelda mechanics have been radically changed in past titles, and this particular feature is no different. However, with the tradition having remained firm for thirteen years since its last major change, the franchise is arguably due for another title which moves in a different direction.

The ways in which Link travels around Hyrule or breaking a Legend of Zelda tradition for this feature could have an incredible impact on the next title.

Zelda’s Non-Horse Mounts Are More Interesting Than Epona

Unusual Mounts Create Opportunities For Unique Travel Mechanics

Many Zelda games give Link access to a mount to aid him in his travels, most commonly The Legend of Zelda’s iconic horse Epona. However, a much smaller number of games allow Link to partner with more unusual animal companions during the course of his adventure. Furthermore, these exotic mounts lend themselves to far more interesting gameplay mechanics than Epona. Breaking away from the traditional horse-riding mechanics of a Zelda game represents a fundamental shift in that title’s gameplay, which is exemplified by the Loftwing flight implemented in Skyward Sword.

Originally released in 2011, Skyward Sword has one of the most unique gameplay mechanics ever used in Zelda, with Link’s Loftwing allowing him to fly freely through the sky. There are earlier examples of Link riding other non-horse mounts as well, each with their own unique characteristics. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons introduced Moosh the Bear, Ricky the Kangaroo, and Dimitri the Dodongo, all of which have their own unique travel mechanic. Moosh can fly over holes in the ground, Ricky can jump to otherwise unreachable heights, and Dimitri can swim through rivers and up waterfalls.

Link is able to ride Sand Seals through the Gerudo Desert in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but these animals being limited to the desert makes it clear that horses are still the games’ main mount of choice.

Although the ability to ride a horse is well suited to Hyrule’s typical fantasy aesthetic, ultimately there is little that can be done to change the fundamentals of horse riding in any game. All Epona or any other horse can do is facilitate faster movement across the map, as well as perhaps mounted combat depending on the title. In contrast, unusual mounts with special abilities like flight open up many more possibilities for exploration and travel mechanics.

Link's Next Mount Should Be A Different Animal

Branching Out From Horses Would Reinvigorate Exploration

Whether Link’s next mount would need to be tamed like Breath of the Wild’s wild animals or befriended as an intelligent being in their own right, there is little doubt that it would be far more interesting for the hero’s next mount to be something other than a horse. This could constitute the return of a previous mount like Loftwings, or even something entirely new. In any case, there are endless possibilities for how such a major break with tradition could play an important part in the next Zelda game.

For example, one concept for new mounts that has yet to be explored in The Legend of Zelda is the possibility of underground travel, such as tunneling with a mole-like companion. Not only would this perfectly suit the freedom of recent Zelda titles if implemented in an open-world game, but it would immediately distinguish the game from all of its predecessors. Although cave systems did play a prominent role in Tears of the Kingdom, most notably the Depths, the likely prominence of such a mechanic would still make this entirely new ground for the franchise.

Specialized Animal Mounts Would Enhance The Next Game

Horses Could Be ed By Mounts Capable Of Flight And Other Feats

It is also worth noting that once again implementing multiple mounts like those of the Oracle games, each with their own particular abilities and specializations, would also enable much more efficient and extensive travel overall. It would greatly expand the possibilities in world design, allowing for many more different types of environmental obstacles than just one mount alone would be able to overcome. In this scenario, a horse could even still serve in the traditional role of land-based travel whilst other mounts enabled travel through more unusual environments like bodies of water or the sky.

Although it can be fun to see traditions being continued in Zelda games, that does not mean that every game should follow the same formula. Breaking traditions, no matter how well established, is an important part of keeping long-running franchises like The Legend of Zelda fresh and interesting. Changing Link’s choice of mount to something more unusual than a horse, or even giving him multiple mounts, would be a perfect way to invigorate the next game, helping to build its unique identity and signature mechanics like Loftwings did so many years ago now.