Horizonhas done well to cement itself as the premier PlayStatio first-party franchise. Coming from a developer that was once predominantly known forfirst-person shooters with itsKillzoneseries, recent years have been something completely different, and has resulted in some of its best work yet.
The pair of mainlineHorizontitles that were released on PS4 and PS5 have shown significant signs of improvement, finding unique and constantly impressive ways to innovate. Settlements felt far more grand inHorizon Forbidden West, and while replicating them in the same way for the third game would be more than enough, there’s one minor change that could make a major difference.
Settlements Were a Big Deal in Horizon Forbidden West
Though the vast mountain states ofHorizon Zero Dawnwere a sight to behold, developer Guerrilla stepped up its game when it took Aloy to the West coast in 2022’s ambitious follow-up. Not only did the studio have to find a way to encompass the coastline and make the ocean seem interesting and worth exploring, it also had to find a way to match the stunning beauty of the first game with regard to its overall setting and tone.Settlements inHorizon Forbidden Westwonderfully added to existing ideas, with each place feeling hugely different in size, scale, and atmosphere from the last. The busy, rugged charm of Chainscrape, for example, was entirely different to the harmonious and tranquil Plainsong, home to the Utaru tribe.
Thesettlements and towns were special, givingHorizon Forbidden Westa living feeling, and adding greatly to the setting’s sense of identity, and community. Guerrilla has a golden blueprint to use for the third mainline game, and while it will be tough to find a way to improve on what could be found in the Forbidden West, there are ways that, on a gameplay level, they can be improved upon to make the third game feel like an advancement over an already stellar experience.
Aloy’s Journey in Horizon is Rarely on Foot
Mounts play a bigger part inHorizon Forbidden West. The space is much larger than the original, meaning it is less plausible to make long treks on foot, so players will likely always find a mount to override to make the journeys much easier. It can be frustrating to have to leave mounts at the door when entering a settlement, in large part because it’s easier to wander off without them when Aloy has to hit the road once again, which in turn means players have to track down and override yet another machine.
Horizon Has One Game to Look to for Inspiration
Red Dead Redemption 2andHorizon Forbidden Westare different experiences, but have plenty of similarities, be it the story focus, strong characters, or the open world design.Red Dead Redemption 2never tells players to leave their horse at the door when they visit Valentine, Strawberry, or even the industrial city of Saint Denis. Instead, the roads are wide enough to account for it, and Arthur can tie his horse at a nearby post. This is an ideaHorizonshould look to replicate, as Rockstar has shown that it is doable, and it serves to better connect the settlements to the open-world.
Settlements Should Open the Door to Mounts in Horizon 3
It may seem like a small, somewhat inconsequential change to allow mounts into settlements inHorizon 3, but the effect it would have on the open world is significant. InHorizon Forbidden West, and its predecessorHorizon Zero Dawn, the settlements feel like their own entity where the potential for exploration is dampened. Entering such areas feels like a conscious switch into another element of the game’s design, whereas finding a way to explore them on a mount would facilitate a seamless transition from the open world into the smaller community.
It would help the space feel more connected, and grant a small, but pleasing quality-of-life addition that would benefit thenextHorizontitle. Improving what has come before will be a tough task, and may come down to making little changes in pursuit of a big improvement, and finding a way to not leave mounts at the door could be a vital breadcrumb on the path to success forHorizon 3.
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.
