Everything We Know About Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games’ upcoming sequel to its 2017 hit Horizon Zero Dawn, has just gone gold and launches next month. And though it’s landing at an unusually busy time for game releases, this follow-up title is at the top of many fans’ most anticipated lists. Horizon Forbidden West was featured on the cover of our December magazine, which allowed us to learn a lot about it. So, there’s a lot to pack into this beefy round-up of everything you need to know before you start Aloy’s next journey. Let’s dive in.

Continue the Story

Some games don’t require you to play the previous title before jumping into the follow-up. And though the developer states you can enjoy Horizon Forbidden West without playing Zero Dawn, we don’t recommend it. The sequel picks up a few months after its predecessor, and if you haven’t played it, we highly suggest you do. If you are trying to avoid details on the original game’s plot, be warned there are Below are minor spoilers for Aloy’s first adventure.

Aloy was once an exile from her tribe. She brought in neighboring tribes to help defend Zero Dawn against the common threat. An ancient AI program that could cause unimaginable damage, became the inhuman foe and began to take control of once friendly machines. The game’s ending gave us a lot of answers about the world and the origin of its animal-like robots, but it also left us with questions. So, for example, how did the threat program begin?

Aloy will navigate unfamiliar territory in the title. She does this both physically and mentally as she travels westward on her quest to find new terrain. Aloy journeys to the Forbidden West in search of answers to her questions about weather and famine. Luckily, she won’t be going it alone.

Both old pals and new foes

Last year, we got our first glimpse at Horizon Forbidden West’s gameplay during a dedicated State of Play. These are the details that developers shared with us. ErendAloy was a friendly and loyal Oseram soldier who became friends with him in Zero Dawn. Now, she is working again with her. Hoping to give players more time with the world’s characters this time around, Guerrilla lets players interact with many of the first game’s recognizable faces, including the Oseram settlement head Petra TalanahCarja Hunters Lodge leader

More recently, we got a glimpse of Aloy’s fellow Nora tribesman, VarlThe red-headed protagonist rides machines and penetrates ancient structures. Residing in Plainsong is the melodic Utaru tribe’s ZoShe seems to be happy to spare her people the red blight.

However, not everyone in the recent trailer is friendly. The morally questionable again Sylens is stirring up trouble by aiding Forbidden West’s new antagonist: Regalla. She leads a band of “rebels” and is looking to settle some scores now that she has the power to control machines. These rebels are just one part of the Tenakth tribe. The other Tenakth members, however, include Kotallo, we’ll meet in the Clan Lands.

The most interesting character tease of recent times is Tilda. Appearing only for a moment and with no dialogue, Tilda’s striking, futuristic look sets her apart. Tilda may not be trustworthy, according to Carrie-Anne Moss, who voiced the character.

Robotic Dangers

These machines, which look like anything from deer and Tyrannosaurus Rex when they return to Horizon Forbidden West, can be found again. This new entry also has a variety of mechanical creatures that Aloy will have to deal with. Game InformerThese were rounded up in December. This includes the huge armadillos, called Rollerbacks, svelte Burrowers, boar-like BristlebacksNamed mechanical monkeys ClamberjawsThe towering Tremortusks, Velociraptor-inspired ClawstriderMassive, turtle-esque Shellsnappers, underwater hunter Tideripper, and the Pterodactyl machine-version. Sunwings.

Guerrilla Games also took special care to shine the spotlight on one of its most fearsome newcomers, the SlitherfangThe tarantula, which shoots lightning out of its tail and spits poison. It had to be snakes.

New Ground

The developers plan to place more emphasis on settlements in the sequel. This will give players more reasons to explore them. You can also hang out at the local watering holes and play a few rounds of golf. Machine Strike, Forbidden West’s in-game board game. The game is a great way for players to test their skills. Arena, where you’ll attempt to defeat waves of hostile machines. This is our story about the game. Game InformerExclusive shots The Daunt, an arid canyon under Carja control, and we’ve also seen a bustling Oseram city called Chainscrape, but there are bound to be many more locales as Aloy heads west.

Possibly the most recognizable landmark we’ve seen in the sequel so far is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. And we saw a great deal more of the city’s sights in last year’s gameplay reveal, which featured a water-logged Lombard Street, a crumbling Transamerica Pyramid, and even several decayed cable cars. You’ll be able to climb any of these with the game’s new free-climbing feature. Aloy jumped in an explorable also from here underwaterEnvironment for the first-time, and we expect to see it more throughout the game.

The Forbidden West’s geography, closely mirroring the United States west of Utah, boasts almost every imaginable climate. To snowy peaks The rugged desertsTo Sand beaches Beautiful wilderness. 

To increase inventory

To navigate both the hostile terrain and machines, Aloy added a few new items to her tool belt in order to navigate both hostile terrain and machines.loy added a few new items to her tool belt. A Breathing apparatusLets her go underwater easily. Future-looking gliderAloy is able to fly between structures and above combat. A mechanized Grappling hookThis makes climbing high a breeze. In a Sony Blog, Ben McCaw (narrative director) explains the gadgets more in depth.

“The Pullcaster speeds up climbing, getting her quickly out of trouble; the Shieldwing allows her to safely descend from great heights (or surprise enemies from above); and with the Diving Mask, a whole new underwater world is open for exploration. Not to mention big upgrades to her Focus, which now shows areas that allow free-climbing and gives her the ability to override more machines for mounts or combat.”

Aloy has a new arsenal of weapons that can kill, such as spike launchers or grenades that stick with enemies. She also has new clothing options.

She has new tricks up her sleeve

Zero Dawn’s primary melee weapon, the spear, proved to be less efficient in battle than any other weapon. The developers have attempted to address this issue in an interview. Game InformerKim Wallace, editor reworked the game’s skill treeTo support various play styles Valor SurgeAnother exciting feature is the ability tree. Players can activate these superpowered moves after filling bars on the screen by playing “tactically.” This includes landing perfect headshots and knocking components from machines. Find also New combinationsHand-to-hand combat under the new system. 

Aloy’s skills are not limited to combat. He also learns new ways to create. workbenches. The expanded settlement-based crafting process allows players to locate parts necessary to create new gear. Players will now be able to stop at major cities on their way.

Publication Date

Horizon Forbidden West was initially expected to be released in 2021. February 18,On 5 and 4.