The Mysterious Realm Awaiting Aloy: Unveiling the Enigmatic Setting of Horizon Forbidden West 3

Highlights

The position of Horizon as a top-tier first-party game in the PlayStation lineup is further reinforced by its exceptional success and widespread popularity, placing it alongside highly acclaimed titles such as Spider-Man and God of War.

The conclusion of Horizon Forbidden West leaves the heroes with a daunting mission and suggests exciting prospects for future settings and exploits. With the potential to venture beyond the United States to places like mainland China, or perhaps even embark on interstellar journeys, the franchise has thrilling avenues for growth and the evolution of its characters.

The Horizon franchise, with its exceptional games and DLC add-ons, has established itself as one of PlayStation's top first-party offerings. It can hold its own against any other open-world RPG, standing alongside titles like Spider-Man, The Last of Us, and God of War. Aloy's expansive journey, complete with a vast map and hours of engaging side content, showcases the ambition of Guerrilla Games. Having seamlessly transitioned from the first-person shooters of Killzone, the critical and commercial success of Aloy's world-saving efforts has put the spotlight on the studio's next move.

The conclusion of Horizon Forbidden West hints at future exploration by the developer. Aloy's final fight with Tilda reveals that the mistakes of the Far Zeniths are catching up to them, providing a formidable challenge for the group of heroes in the third game. With the impending arrival of Nemesis, time is of the essence, and the fight could take them to various locations, whether on Earth or elsewhere. The possibilities and theories are abundant, and only time will reveal how Guerrilla Games will continue this exceptional tale.

The USA Has Been Kind to Horizon

Horizon Zero Dawn is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, taking advantage of the majestic mountainous terrain and stunning landscapes. In the sequel, Aloy embarks on a mission to save the planet's future, venturing to the coastal regions of San Francisco and later Los Angeles with the Burning Shores DLC.

Considering the possibilities, it is reasonable to speculate that the third installment of the Horizon series may remain within the United States. This choice would not only allow for the reuse of textures, but also take advantage of America's diverse and intriguing environments. Exploring the eastern coast or venturing south could offer a refreshing and somewhat familiar setting while unveiling new locations and wonders.

Horizon Could Cross the Pacific

Horizon Forbidden West expands its horizon beyond the United States, hinting at diverse communities and cultures surviving in distant parts of the world. Alva, a member of the Quen tribe from mainland China, showcases the vastness of the game's map. By taking Aloy across the Pacific, the third game can introduce players to entirely new landscapes, creatures, and populations. Keeping the franchise limited to the United States may be detracting, as Forbidden West suggests enticing trails waiting to be explored across the world's largest ocean.

Horizon Taking to the Stars Could Be a Welcome Change

The Far Zeniths established a colony in the Sirius system and visited Earth as a temporary stop to avoid Nemesis. This realization brings the Horizon series closer to its science-fiction backdrop and effectively demonstrates that the challenges Aloy must confront extend far beyond her familiar landscapes on her home planet.

The narrative has now reached a point where Earth is just a small part of a broader story, and it would feel like a natural progression to venture into space in some capacity, particularly since the antagonist, Nemesis, is not of this world. This doesn't necessarily mean that Aloy needs to command her own spaceship or navigate the stars, but placing her in an entirely unfamiliar situation presents a valuable opportunity for new character development in a truly unique setting.

Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.