Horizon Forbidden West primarily revolves around the entrance of Far Zenith and the ongoing Tenakth civil war, posing significant threats to the post-apocalyptic world. As a result, Aloy finds herself immersed in these challenges. However, the game also delves into the historical aspects, exploring the connection between Far Zenith's arrival and the downfall of the Old Ones, as well as the consequences of the Red Raids which sparked the Tenakth war. Throughout Forbidden West, players encounter various locations and characters that exemplify the lasting impact of the Red Raids. This abundance of content provides Guerrilla Games with ample material for a potential spin-off game.
Despite being a relatively young series, Horizon has gained immense popularity with titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. Capitalizing on this success, investing in side games appears to be a worthwhile endeavor. While Horizon Call of the Mountain served as a promising introduction, featuring a new perspective character, the virtual reality aspect may not cater to everyone's preferences, and the character Ryas lacked thorough development within the core games. A new Horizon spin-off centered around the Red Raids could utilize established characters from Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, offering players the opportunity to experience iconic locations firsthand.
Potential Stars of a Horizon Red Raids Game
Many of the new characters introduced in Horizon Forbidden West have strong connections to the Red Raids, making them ideal player characters. Kotallo gained fame among the Tenakth during the Red Raids, contributing to their decisive victory at Barren Light. His intense melee combat style would bring a refreshing dynamic to a Horizon game. On the other hand, Zo could embody the Utaru perspective in the conflict. Her healing skills and proficiency in guerrilla tactics could inspire stealth-driven sections where players coordinate Utaru warriors to strategize takedowns of Carja soldiers.
A potential spinoff of Horizon focusing on the Red Raids could deviate from the franchise's typical emphasis on combat, incorporating more political segments. Although Sun-King Avad plays a minor role in Forbidden West, the Carja's history in Horizon Zero Dawn receives considerable attention. Avad's efforts to make amends for his father's involvement in the Red Raids serve as the foundation for the first act of Forbidden West. Therefore, a Red Raids spinoff could utilize Avad to showcase the political aspects of the conflict. Players would navigate Carja society, engaging in negotiations with diplomats and clergy, striving to mitigate the damage caused by the Mad Sun-King. Horizon lacks substantial social mechanics aside from Aloy's Flashpoints, so exploring Avad's rebellious years would offer a fresh avenue for the IP to experiment with.
Why a Horizon Red Raids Game Would Make Sense
There are numerous elements in Horizon that could serve as a source of inspiration for spinoffs, but creating a Red Raids game seems like a logical choice due to the wide-reaching impact of the conflict. Both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West heavily emphasize the legacy of the Mad Sun-King Jiran, with the Eclipse cultists seeking revenge for their fallen king and Regalla's Tenakth rebels yearning for retribution. Considering the ongoing turmoil caused by the Red Raids in the Horizon world, it would be fitting to provide players with a comprehensive account of what truly transpired.
While Horizon Call of the Mountain has recently been released, and the much-anticipated Horizon multiplayer game is yet to make an appearance, it is unlikely that a Red Raids game will be released in the near future. Nevertheless, it is hoped that Guerrilla Games will seriously consider developing one. If the next mainline Horizon game brings Aloy's story to a conclusion, a spinoff like this would be an excellent opportunity to further explore the supporting characters who accompanied her on her journey, even if Aloy herself does not make an appearance. For now, players will have to satisfy their curiosity about the consequences of the Red Raids by replaying the base Horizon games.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.