Unleashing the Fury: Why Horizon Forbidden West's Next Chapter Demands More Close Combat Weapons

With the impending release of Horizon Forbidden West, fans eagerly anticipated whether Guerrilla Games would expand Aloy's melee weapons arsenal beyond the spear combat of Horizon Zero Dawn. While the game did not introduce new weapons, it did add more melee techniques to keep the combat fresh. However, there is still ample room for improvement, and one potential way to enhance the melee system would be through the addition of new weapons via the tribal alliance against NEMESIS. As we await the release of Horizon 3, the game's ending suggests that Aloy will join forces with the tribes of post-apocalyptic Earth to defeat Far Zenith's rogue AI, thereby opening up the possibility for Aloy to acquire unique weapons and equipment from each civilization and expand her melee repertoire in preparation for the ultimate showdown.

Horizon 3's Nemesis Gives Aloy a Chance to Learn New Skills

While Aloy may have a love for spearfighting, the world of Horizon offers a plethora of melee weapons to choose from. From Erend Vanguardsman's heavy hammer to Kotallo's jagged sword, there are a variety of unique options available. Despite readily accepting new ranged weapons as quest rewards, Aloy has yet to venture into the realm of melee equipment. With the increasingly outlandish ranged weapons in the Forbidden West, now is the perfect time for Aloy to explore the potential of melee gear. If she can adapt to the unconventional Shredder Gauntlet, mastering the sword should be no problem.

As the tribal alliance prepares for the arrival of NEMESIS, Aloy has a prime opportunity to train with new melee equipment. She can reunite with skilled fighters from each tribe and study under their expertise to learn the intricacies of new weapons. While Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West have not made a big deal out of Aloy's acquisition of ranged weapons, mastering melee weapons could require more rigorous tutorials to differentiate them effectively. As Horizon has yet to diversify its selection of melee weapons, it makes sense to integrate them in a more demanding way to showcase the change.

Aloy's proficiency in each tribe's unique melee weapons could serve as a means to strengthen her relationships with her allies. With the tribes' complex political dynamics, Aloy is bound to face challenges in maintaining peace. However, showcasing her skills with the tribes' signature weapons could help her earn the respect of those who doubt her and unite them in the fight against Nemesis. The Melee Pits in Horizon Forbidden West have the potential to become pivotal plot events that shape the course of the alliance, rather than just optional minigames.

While Aloy's spear holds significant emotional value, Guerrilla should consider introducing new melee weapons in Horizon 3. Horizon's ability to craft immersive narratives means that each new weapon could hold its own emotional significance, especially if Aloy embarks on a journey with it in the same way she does with her human allies. If the weapons are sourced from the unified tribes, imbuing them with emotion could be a natural progression.

Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.