Although it’s fun exploring a new realm and scoring goals with Premier League stars, sometimes sitting down for a session of an animal-themed release is more appealing. After all, we humans generally adore animals, don’t we? It, therefore, makes a lot of sense that titles with animals featured heavily in them are continuing to shine.

From games where you investigate crimes on the back of a horse to titles where you’re wreaking havoc with an animal chum by your side, there are a plethora of animal-themed releases that are currently captivating gaming audiences on a variety of gaming platforms. You can even be an animal yourself, with players being able to play as wild or domestic creatures in a series of hit releases in this genre.

So, as animal-themed games continue to be embraced by the gaming community as a whole, below are some leading releases that are thriving right now.

Stray

An adventure title with a cat as the focus, Stray features a lonely feline who is struggling to adapt to life in a long-forgotten cybercity without its loving owner by its side. With a world populated by machines and other dangers, players have to jump their way to safety, interact with various objects that could help them on their journey home, and tackle a variety of puzzles. Also changing at times as players take on the role of a human, Stray is definitely a game for cat lovers. 

Untitled Goose Game

Playable on almost every gaming platform out there, Untitled Goose Game is still providing plenty of comical value to gamers. Geese have a reputation for being unpredictable, resulting in many people struggling to warm to them. This is on show in Untitled Goose Game, as gamers take on the role of a cheeky goose who is tasked with wreaking havoc and terrorizing the local people in a small village. Although the game has been around since 2019, this indie puzzle stealth product is expected to shine for many more years to come.

5 Wild Buffalo Game

An online game that can be immediately explored through your internet browser, the 5 Wild Buffalo game is superb. As you might expect from the game’s title, it’s filled with buffalos alongside bright colors and some eye-catching visuals. Set in a wild environment by the Colorado River, there are also some other well-liked creatures featured in this one, although the buffalos are the star of the show. A title that is entertaining to play and easy to understand, diving into the wilderness has never been so enjoyable. 

Goat Simulator 3

Ever wondered what life is like for a goat? Well, while this particular inclusion doesn’t exactly provide an authentic goat-based experience, its truly unhinged package makes it a title that is well worth exploring. An open-world sandbox title, the latest installment from this much-loved series carries on from where the other versions of the game left off. There are quests to complete, mayhem to cause, you have a Goat Castle base to upgrade, and so much more. A truly wacky inclusion, Goat Simulator 3’s popularity is entirely understandable once you tuck into it. 

SkateBIRD

Although SkateBIRD isn’t as popular as some of the other games on the list, it still has a dedicated and loyal following behind it. After all, who doesn’t want to nail an array of skateboarding tricks with an adorable domestic bird? With so many flips to get through in a variety of settings, this fun skating game is worth devoting some time to, especially if you’re a bird lover. In fact, it’s a game for pretty much everyone.