Summary
After the end ofHorizon Forbidden West, players eagerly await the threequel which will have Aloy contending with a malevolent AI hellbent on destroying humanity. Thus far, she has proven herself to be a formidable warrior capable of taking on the biggest and meanest machines, but she has had some help from her companions along the way. Without her friends, Aloy may not have achieved the feats she has.
It would be a good idea forHorizon Forbidden West’s sequel to place even further emphasis on Aloy’s companions by making them playable. There are a multitude of ways to do this, and each character currently in Aloy’s roster of NPC companions could add greater diversity to the franchise’s gameplay.
How Horizon Forbidden West Could Introduce Playable Companions
Throughout her journey, Aloy befriends a few special folks who aren’t afraid to stand at her side when there’s a tough battle ahead. This includes unforgettable friends like Talanah the Sunhawk of the Carja Hunters Lodge, Zo the Utaru gravesinger, andErend the friendly Oseram tribesman.
One of the simplest ways to introduce playable companions would be to take a page from the playbook of anotherPlayStation first-party game—God of War(2018). InGod of War, Kratos is the main playable character, though players can use the square button to take control of Atreus and fire arrows at foes. It’s an effective method that allows players to control two characters at once without things getting too complicated.
With the two working together, it becomes much easier to take on the most terrifying monsters of Norse mythology with viable melee and ranged options at once.
TheHorizon Forbidden Westsequelcould introduce a similar system, allowing players to take control of a secondary character while still controlling Aloy as the main character. This would work particularly well with players that have different skills to Aloy. For example, Erend who is big and strong can handle large melee weapons while Aloy dominates with lighter, ranged weapons. Such a system would encourage players to think carefully about which companions they bring along and the synergy they have with Aloy.
Horizon’s Companions Could Have Their Own Playable Sections
Alternatively, the characters of Horizon couldtake inspiration fromSpider-Man 2and feature sections where side characters are playable. This would be a risky move, as it would take attention away from Aloy. However, it would also shine the spotlight on her friends and give players the chance to admire their strengths. Ideally, players would have a base once again where they could choose which companion they want to play as in key missions and once more players would have to consider the strong points of each character to decide which would be best for the task at hand.
The Next Horizon Game Should Explore Aloy’s Limits
Nemesis will be a far greater threat than anything Aloy has ever faced. Aloy is smart, strong, and determined, but it should be highlighted that she can’t do everything on her own. One of the ways this can be emphasized is by placing greater focus on her friends and how they help her, particularly by having them be more prominent in actual gameplay.
Players have yet to see everything Aloy can do, and the next challenge will be sure to push her to her limits. It would be foolish for her to try andtackleHorizon’s Nemesis on her own, as she will need her friends more than ever if she wishes to save humanity and ensure the continued existence of life on Earth.
Horizon Forbidden West
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Aloy as she braves a majestic but dangerous new frontier that holds mysterious new threats. This Complete Edition allows you to enjoy the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West on PC in its entirety with bonus content, including the Burning Shores story expansion that picks up after the main game.Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity while fearsome new machines prowl their borders, and life on Earth is hurtling toward another extinction.It’s up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past.
