One ofHorizon Zero DawnandHorizon Forbidden West’s most alluring aspects is its varied and awe-inspiring animal-like machines. Ever sinceHorizon Zero Dawn’s E3 2015 trailer which first showed off the alert Watchers, towering Tallnecks, deer-like Grazers, colossal Thunderjaws, and a gigantic Stormbird, fans have been enamored withHorizon’s machines. More were revealed onceHorizon Zero Dawnwas released and eventually new machines were added withZero Dawn’s sequel,Horizon Forbidden West. However, as the series features over 50 machine types on display, Guerrilla may be faced with leaving some machines behind to prevent a bloated machine world inHorizon 3.
Horizon’s Machine Types Explained
InHorizon Zero Dawn, 26 unique animal-like machines were introduced. Asa part of Project Zero Dawn, the artificial intelligence GAIA and her subroutine HEPHAESTUS designed and produced these machines in factories known as Cauldrons to help heal the world. At first, these machines were grouped into four classes, with those being Acquisition, Communications, Recon, and Transport, and would operate relatively peacefully among humans. It wasn’t until HEPHAESTUS deemed humanity as a threat from the hunting of machines for parts that more machines were designed explicitly for combat. Despite their programming, all machines could be overridden to act as temporary allies in combat, steeds, or to help map local areas.
OnceHorizon Forbidden Westand its Burning Shores DLC were released, a total of 53 machines could be found in theHorizonfranchise. Most of these machines filled similar roles to ones seen inZero Dawnwith a few exceptions.The Sunwings and Waterwingswere flying mounts, granting Aloy to quickly soar across the map. Bristlebacks and Clawstriders were land mounts designed more for combat than speed, while a few rebel Tenakth used overridden Tremortusks as mobile fortresses. WithForbidden West’s greater emphasis on water exploration, more machines were designed to be semiaquatic, including the Snapmaw and Tideripper.
Horizon’s Ancient War Machines
Throughout bothZero DawnandForbidden West, players will often encounter reanimated Chariot war machines in combat. Designed by Ted Faro, the Chariot line of machines were designed for combat and could convert any biomass to fuel. Eventually, the Chariot machines began repeatedly disobeying commands and began attacking all of humanity in aswarm known as the Faro Plague. By the 31st Century, Aloy would encounter the rabid Corruptors, the tank-like Deathbringers, and the titanic Horus as the rogue A.I. HADES and Far Zenith survivors attempted to utilize them to destroy human tribes.
Three Far Zenith types are encountered inHorizon Forbidden Westand the Burning Shores DLC including the Specters, Specter Prime, and Defense Drones.
Horizon 3’s Potential Machine Fate
WithHorizon Forbidden Westfeaturing over 50 machines, there is a potential forHorizon 3to become overcrowded with varied machines if another 25 are introduced. While most of the new machines added inForbidden Westwere overwhelmingly welcomed by fans, the additions did cause some prior machine types to appear in reduced form or be completely removed. The Watchers were essentially replaced by Burrowers with the more bird-like machines appearing very sparingly inForbidden West. Likewise,Zero Dawn’s Broadheads and Stridersnever appear inForbidden Westat all and are wholeheartedly replaced by the Charger as the standard mount.
Based onHorizon Forbidden West’s precedent of replacing and cutting machines, this could be the fate of more machines inHorizon 3. Since HEPHAESTUS managed to escape at the end ofHorizon Forbidden Westwith knowledge of Far Zenith technology, it’s possible new, morecomplex machines will be introduced inHorizon 3. While these new machines could simply be added alongside the other 53, they may replace some of the more redundant or less popular legacy machines in order to give the new machines more time in the spotlight. The disappearance of some machines inHorizon 3could be retconned as regional variants, similar to the lack ofPokemonfrom region to region in eachPokemongame.
Horizon Forbidden West
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Aloy as she braves a majestic but dangerous new frontier that holds mysterious new threats. This Complete Edition allows you to enjoy the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West on PC in its entirety with bonus content, including the Burning Shores story expansion that picks up after the main game.Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity while fearsome new machines prowl their borders, and life on Earth is hurtling toward another extinction.It’s up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past.
