TheHorizonfranchise has been a success for Sony and, as a result, it has led to spin-offs, including a VR game and aLEGOgame.Call of the Mountain, a VR game, is special because it provides a fresh perspective on gameplay and Guerrilla shouldn’t abandon this avenue of storytelling anytime soon. With the nextHorizongame, Guerrilla should give players the option to play in a first- and third-person mode.
Switching Between First-Person and Third-Person
Indeed, having a third- and first-person option has been more prominent lately. Several studios have done so, including Rockstar’s implementation of thefeature inRed Dead Redemption 2or Capcom withResident Evil Village. Famously, Bethesda also added the feature inStarfield, giving players a choice regarding how they want to experience the game.
Guerrilla offers a beautiful world to explore and it would be a treat to explore it withoutHorizon’s Aloynecessarily needing to be front and center with an over-the-shoulder perspective. With a first-person perspective, players may be more immersed in the environment and get to embody Aloy more closely. With that said, there are some downsides to the first-person perspective.
The Downsides of First-Person Perspective
Some players may be fully accustomed to a third-person perspective, especially after having two mainstreamHorizongames with this approach. Furthermore, it can be disorienting, especially if the camera is shaky and bobs as Aloy is walking, but fortunatelyGuerrilla has had experience with protagonists' POVs thanks toCall of the Mountain.
Call of the Mountain Broadens Horizon’s Horizons
Call of the Mountainfollows the story of Ryas, who is seeking a pardon in return for climbing the Sunspear. It excels as a VR title, but it also suggests that future installments ofHorizoncould take a similar if not identical approach to gameplay outside of VR.
Guerrilla could transfer that first-person gameplay toHorizon 3with the franchise’s traditional mechanics, though it would make sense to give players the option to switch to third-person if they wish. This may make it easier to tackle machines, which might be overwhelming when attempting to do so in first-person style. If players can seamlessly switch between a first- and third-person perspective it would makeHorizon 3a truly spectacular game.
Horizon 3is certain to be an action-packed adventure regardless of what perspectives it offers in gameplay, and yet developers could take things to the next level by including a first-person POV. Otherwise, other VR games could be the sole outlet for such POVs in the series.
