Horizon’s Threequel Can’t Cut Corners On Its Hub Towns for One Key Reason

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Horizon's Threequel Can't Cut Corners On Its Hub Towns for One Key Reason

As a dedicated Horizon fan who’s spent countless hours traversing the vast landscapes of Guerrilla Games’ masterpieces, I can wholeheartedly say that the settlements in Forbidden West were a game-changer. They breathed life into the world and added depth to the overall experience. However, there’s one minor change that could make a significant difference for the third installment – let Aloy bring her mounts into the settlements!

Horizon has managed to establish itself as the flagship PlayStation first-party series, a significant shift from its past reputation primarily associated with the first-person shooter genre through its Killzone series. However, more recent developments have showcased a new direction, leading to some of their finest work to date.

The primary Horizon series games launched on PS4 and PS5 have demonstrated substantial progress, consistently finding creative and awe-inspiring methods to innovate. The settlements in Horizon Forbidden West were notably larger, but even if the third game replicated them identically, there’s a small adjustment that could have a significant impact.

Settlements Were a Big Deal in Horizon Forbidden West

In the visually stunning landscapes of Horizon Zero Dawn’s mountainous regions, Guerrilla Games raised the bar even higher when they sent Aloy on a journey to the West coast in the 2022 sequel. The challenge for the developers was not only to incorporate the coastline and make the sea an engaging and worthwhile exploration destination, but also to maintain the breathtaking beauty of the original game in terms of setting and mood. In Horizon Forbidden West, settlements expanded on initial concepts, with each location presenting a unique contrast in size, scale, and ambiance compared to the previous one. The bustling, rugged appeal of Chainscrape stood in stark contrast to the peaceful and serene Plainsong, home of the Utaru tribe.

The towns and settlements in Horizon Forbidden West lent it a sense of liveliness, enhancing the environment’s unique personality and communal vibe. Guerrilla Games have a proven design for their next main installment, but it will be challenging to surpass the immersive experience offered by the Forbidden West. However, there are several areas where they can refine gameplay mechanics to ensure that the third game builds upon an exceptional foundation.

Aloy’s Journey in Horizon is Rarely on Foot

In Horizon Forbidden West, mounts take on a more significant role. The game space is expansive compared to the first installment, making long walks on foot impractical. Consequently, players are likely to constantly use mounts to streamline their travels. However, it can be annoying to have to dismount when entering a settlement since it’s easier to stray off course once Aloy is back on her journey. This results in having to locate and override another machine yet again.

Horizon Has One Game to Look to for Inspiration

As a gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in two distinct adventures: “Red Dead Redemption 2” and “Horizon Forbidden West”. Despite their unique settings, they share some remarkable similarities – from their engrossing narratives to well-developed characters and expansive open worlds.

Settlements Should Open the Door to Mounts in Horizon 3

In Horizon 3, allowing mounts into settlements might appear as a minor adjustment, yet it could greatly impact the expansiveness of the game’s open world. In Horizon Forbidden West and its prequel Horizon Zero Dawn, settlements seem detached from the main exploration experience, reducing the sense of discovery. By enabling exploration on mounts within these areas, there would be a smoother transition from the vast open world into smaller communities, making the entire game feel more connected and immersive.

Enhancing the sense of connection within the game environment and providing a minor yet delightful quality-of-life upgrade is a goal for the next Horizon title. Refining what has been established will be challenging, but making subtle adjustments to achieve significant improvements might be key. One such change could be finding a way for mounts to remain with the player even when they dismount, which could be an important step towards success in Horizon 3’s development.

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2024-09-01 17:33