In a new harsh but somewhat true meme (depending on your stance regarding game realism), The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered fans have compared the game's horses to Red Dead Redemption 2's, and it's not the most flattering comparison. Horses are readily available in Oblivion, with a lot of players choosing to just steal a horse instead of purchasing one, and some players not using them at all. But whether they are with you or not, they are quite independent, unlike the horses in RDR2.

In a Reddit post from TPose-Heavy, this meme shows a stark contrast between the way horses behave in Oblivion Remastered versus how they behave in RDR2. How much you value fun video game logic versus immersive realism might land you in one camp over the other in of preference. The meme displays how much more effort players have to put in for their horses in RDR2, such as feeding them, cleaning them, and protecting them, while Oblivion horses don't require any maintenance.

Elder Scrolls Fan Compares Horses From Oblivion Remastered & RDR2

Two Different Breeds Of Horses

The horses have been a hot topic for discussion in Oblivion since the original release of the game back in 2006. Most of that discussion was aimed at the controversial horse armor DLC, which might have put a spotlight on all things horse-related in the game. The reason for all that discourse? It's simply cosmetic, and the Oblivion horses do not require any maintenance and stay by your side as a noble and loyal steed, no matter what is happening in-game, including providing occasional combat assistance.

There are raise your bond level with horses in the game. They also get spooked fairly easily, and will often flee if there is too much gunfire. Some weapons and outfits also had to be holstered on the horse, which adds realism, but all the horse care might be too much for some players that just want a horse for transportation.

Our Take: RDR2's Horses Prioritized Realism Over Fun

The Oblivion Horses Are Simple

Red Dead Redemption 2 was widely praised for its attention to detail and realism, such as having to wear thick coats in snowy areas, but the game might have been too realistic for some players, given how much maintenance the horses require, in addition to other gameplay elements. On the other hand, horses are not realistic at all in Oblivion Remastered and exist as simple transportation and not much else. Sometimes, less is more, and with the Oblivion horses having less mechanics and depth, it opens up more room for simple fun instead.

Though, it must be said, the level of detail is impressive in Red Dead Redemption 2, and plenty of players really enjoyed the horses in that game. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is an update of an almost 20-year-old game, so it is only natural that it is less realistic than a game that was released in 2018. Still, sometimes it is better to prioritize fun over realism, and this debate will surely be ongoing for many years to come.

Source: TPose-Heavy/Reddit