Breaking Down The New Horizon Forbidden West Trailer With Guerrilla Games

Horizon Forbidden West will be released on February 18, 2018. We are getting closer. Guerrilla Games kept the storyline under wraps until now. However, the trailer above is filled with teases about Aloy’s next adventure. It provided glimpses at some returning characters alongside new faces who are sure to shake up Aloy’s journey – for better or worse. 

Fans of Guerrilla Left have a lot to do in the new show. To gain context and clarity on what we saw, we spoke with Annie Kitain (narrative director) and Benjamin McCaw (senior writer). 

Here’s a quick recap

Aloy was reminded of the dire situation in his trailer. Aloy declares, “The land’s dying, people suffer, and soon, they will starve,” as the storm that ravages the backdrop makes itself known. And the machines intended to aid us are not under control.” The Forbidden west may have the solution for Aloy saving the planet, but it can also conceal great dangers. As a new face named Kotallo puts it: “In the West, war is the rule – peace the exception.”

A New Adversary: Regalla

Trailer doesn’t hesitate to show us a rebel leader with her darker side. We meet Regalla. She is a fierce fighter and has harsh words. Regalla is determined to kill all who wrong her and will “kill anyone that gets in her path.” 

“She’s deadly,” Kitain says. Kitain says, “She is armed with a army of rebels.” She is motivated by hatred towards the Carja tribe. To get her revenge, she is bent on this kind of destruction toward the tribe.

McCaw answered our question about Regalla as a primary antagonist when we asked: “Absolutely.” Aloy is going to battle Regalla’s forces through the game. She will also fight Regalla. McCaw also revealed that esteemed Hollywood actress Angela Bassett (Black Panther, Malcolm X, what’s love got to do with it?) portrays Regalla. 

But perhaps the real kicker about Regalla is the trailer’s revelation that she answers to a higher power who supplied her with troops, weapons, and even the ability to control machines … and then it pans to wandering researcher Sylens, who Zero Dawn players know all too well. 

Sylens Factor

We have seen Sylens in Forbidden West trailers before, so this isn’t the only confirmation that Sylens will be returning. But, it is our first glimpse at his role in the game. He’s actually involved with a rebel tribe. This trailer shows that he is the one who grants Regalla much of her power. Guerrilla shared more details about Sylens’ relationship to Regalla.

“As for what?” [Regalla’s]Sylens has a mysterious connection to Sylens. [full of]Kitain reveals the secrets. We know that he helped Aloy from Zero Dawn. However, now that he is in the Forbidden Western, it’s clear that he has his own agenda. While we are excited to see what players discover, a large part of it is Regalla and her rebels being equipped with the ability to control machines. Why? These connections can be found here. Aloy is going to discover the connections.

This aspect is touched upon in the latest trailer. We hear Aloy saying, “Whatever secrets that he may have, he keeps them to himself.” She seems to be referring specifically to Sylens. Horizon Zero Dawn tells us that Aloy has a complex relationship with Sylens. And anything could happen, as he’s shown himself to be an unpredictable wildcard.

Friends can help you get by

You may have seen some familiar faces in Zero Dawn’s trailer if you had played it. Guerrilla Games stated in the cover stories interviews that Aloy will learn that the only way to save the world is with her friends and family.

Aloy made some connections through Zero Dawn. Guerrilla will bring back some characters that she can get to know better. Varl, Erend, and Varl are both important characters in the game. They will be Aloy’s first friends as she goes west. McCaw states that the playthrough will affect how much time you spend with certain companions. We can confirm Varl and Erend will be people you meet very early on in the game. [with them].”

Guerrilla spoke a lot of Erend For Forbidden West. But this is Varl’s first comprehensive glimpse. “Varl, at the end of Horizon Zero Dawn, he, like many others in the Nora tribe, sees Aloy as the anointed – a figure from their religious beliefs,” Kitain says. He feels a duty to her from this angle. He’s also someone who knew her through Zero Dawn and is very concerned about her personal well-being and how she will cope with the Forbidden Wild. 

The New Faces

It’s great to catch up with old friends but it is also part of any adventure to meet new people. Aloy will be able find her own new friends in the Forbidden Wild West. Guerrilla enjoyed sharing some new faces in the trailer. Above is Kotallo from the Tenakth tribe, who is a loyal and fierce warrior. Kitain suggested that Aloy is the subject of his tale and it was intimately connected to Aloy. The next new character we spot is Alva, who comes from a mysterious tribe Aloy will encounter. Alva appears in one our cover stories demos. McCaw describes her as “bright, curious, and a little uncertain of herself.” Zo is a Utaru tribal member. Kitain says that Zo is a grave singer and has had a somewhat tragic past.

This is the Final Tease

It was clear that the trailer’s ending left an impression on GAIA, confirmed by Guerrilla. She said these words to Aloy “We will find answers. Be aware though, we aren’t the only ones looking for them.” A new character is then seen in the trailer, wearing gold and white. Guerrilla named her Tilda (a beloved actress Carrie Anne Moss)The Matrix, MomentoHer life is made possible by the aforementioned ( Kitain says, “She’s a complex and mysterious character who has a connection with the ancient past.” We look forward to the players discovering her secrets. 

Bonus: What Characters Do I Need to Know Before Entering the Forbidden Wild?

Do you feel overwhelmed by all of the new faces at Zero Dawn? Don’t be. Guerrilla said that all members of the team worked hard to ensure the sequel was user-friendly for newcomers and included plenty of calls backs. Kitain said, “That was something that our team really cared about as we worked on this story.” We wanted fans to recognize characters from the original game. They see Aloy the same way they remembered her, but they are also learning. We also wanted new players to be able to play this game and become familiar with the characters.

McCaw, Kitain have the characters to help refresh your memory if you’re looking for some familiar faces before playing the game. McCaw states that it would be beneficial to brush up on Varl Erend and Talanah. It’s not necessary. For beginners, this guide will cover everything necessary to learn how to play the game. 

Kitain adds, “Talanah’s story in the Horizon comics will continue to Forbidden West.” She says, “You don’t have to read the comics. One of our goals was that you are up to speed.” But if they have you can kind of know that you are familiar with the material and have experienced the Forbidden west.

You want more information about Horizon Forbidden West. You can read our cover story hub to find out more about Aloy’s struggles and the new machines.