Horizon 3 May Actually Be Responsible for One of the Series’ Most Controversial Choices

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The release of Horizon 3 is more a question of when rather than if, as fans eagerly anticipate the future of the series. Guerrilla Games are diligently developing the third installment, but it’s important to note that fans should not expect it in the near future. This extended development period might be the cause behind one of the most debated decisions in the franchise’s history.

In October 2024, the remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn hit the shelves, but it didn’t sit well with many gamers. Although it enhanced the original game, some felt that the 2017 release hadn’t really shown its age. This led to doubts about whether the remaster was essential, especially considering other overlooked games in Sony’s collection. However, comments about future consoles like PS6 suggest that Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered might have been more about securing the game’s longevity than a simple money-making scheme. Here are a few possible reasons for this assumption.

The PlayStation Horizon of 2027 and Beyond

Sony has started subtly hinting at the possibility of a PlayStation 6. The head of Sony Interactive Entertainment, Hideaki Nishino, has suggested that the future of the PlayStation platform is under active consideration and that there’s great anticipation for their next-generation console strategy. Additionally, it’s been reported that PS6 could be collaborating with AMD for its future hardware. At this stage, these occasional mentions don’t provide much to analyze, but as a console generation typically lasts around 7 years, enthusiasts can look forward to hearing more about the PlayStation 6 in the near future – possibly even within the next couple of years. A release date anywhere from 2027-2029 is a plausible timeline for the PS6.

Horizon Release Date Schedule

  • Horizon Zero Dawn: February 2017
  • Horizon Forbidden West: February 2022
  • Horizon Call of the Mountain: February 2023
  • Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered: October 2024
  • LEGO Horizon Adventures: November 2024

If you consider the initial release of Horizon Zero Dawn in 2017 and the projected launch date for Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, it’s reasonable to anticipate another five years before Horizon 3 hits the shelves, which would be around 2027. By that time, Zero Dawn would be a decade old. However, the remastered version might only be approximately six years old. Since many characters from Zero Dawn might reappear in Horizon 3, it seems logical to update Zero Dawn slightly more, particularly if Horizon 3 turns out to be a launch title for the PS6 or a similar platform.

Horizon 3’s Decima Engine & Strengthening The Franchise’s Visuals

It’s difficult to overlook the impressive abilities of the Decima Engine, which is used in the creation of both the Horizon franchise and Death Stranding 2. To maximize the potential of the Horizon series, especially Horizon 3, it would be beneficial to fully utilize the power of this engine. The reason why the original Horizon: Zero Dawn doesn’t appear dated is because of the Decima Engine, and even minor enhancements could assist in any visual upgrades that Horizon 3 may implement. If Horizon 3 maintains its unique art style while achieving a similar level of graphical fidelity as Death Stranding 2, then it has immense potential ahead.

While it might be just a profitable move, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered could prove incredibly valuable in the coming years. For instance, it could serve as a warm-up for fans anticipating Nemesis in Horizon 3, making it quite likely for replay among them.

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2025-07-05 14:13