Horizon 3 Won’t Reuse Forbidden West’s Worst Mistakes

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Upon its debut in 2022, it was evident to many fans that Horizon Forbidden West differed significantly from the 2017 release, Horizon Zero Dawn. One notable change is the enhanced visuals in Forbidden West, boasting more vibrant and fluid 4K and HDR graphics. This upgrade can be seen in the intricate details of the environments, as well as the lifelike character movements and animations, particularly on the PS5 version of the game.

The new release titled Forbidden West introduces a more engaging exploration and combat experience compared to its predecessor. Yet, a modification made in this sequel, the omission of Aloy’s armor, gear, and abilities from previous Horizon games, has left some fans feeling disappointed, hoping that it won’t be repeated in Horizon 3.

How Aloy Lost Her Equipment and Skills from Horizon Zero Dawn

As Aloy ventured through her mission to save the world from the menacing AI HADES and the war-mongering Eclipse cult, she picked up a variety of combat skills and the ability to control machines. Furthermore, she obtained or bought several distinctive weapons such as the Spear, Bow, Ropecaster, Tripcaster, Rattler, Blast Sling, Tearblaster, Forgefire, Icerail, Stormslinger (introduced in The Frozen Wilds DLC). By the end of Horizon Zero Dawn, at the Battle of the Alight, it’s likely that she had all these weapons ready to use, as players could employ them all, including those from The Frozen Wilds, during the fight.

In the game, Aloy acquires several armors and outfits from different tribes like the Nora, Carja, Oseram, and Banuk. However, it’s important to note that at the end of the game, she is seen using the potent Shield-Weaver outfit, which she obtained by gathering power cells from ancient ruins scattered across the region. This armor comes with a rechargeable energy shield that can resist most attacks, but it cannot be customized or modified. After vanquishing HADES and the Eclipse in the Battle of the Alight, Aloy embarked on a journey to find a backup of the AI GAIA to restart Project Zero Dawn and revitalize the planet’s ecosystem. This mission kept her occupied for six months, during which she lost the power source for the Shield-Weaver’s shield and all but her spear and bow as weapons.

In the game Horizon Forbidden West, the armor worn by Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn, known as the Shield-Weaver outfit, was transformed into the Nora Anointed outfit without a shield. However, players could momentarily recreate the Shield-Weaver’s defenses using the Overshield valor surge as an alternative.

How Horizon 3 Could Build On Forbidden West’s Equipment and Skills

In the vast expanses of the Forbidden West and the Burning Shore, Aloy gathers an array of potent weapons, armor, and learns numerous proficient skills. Skills such as mastering the Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. However, it remains undisclosed which outfit Aloy wears at the end of her journey along the post-apocalyptic west coast of the United States in the Forbidden West, as there’s no overarching omnipotent outfit like the Shield-Weaver. Given the new weapons, outfits, and skills Aloy has gained in the Forbidden West, it would be more reasonable for these items and abilities to persist into Horizon 3 rather than having her experience another “Metroid” scenario.

Fallen Order and Survivor, where he retained most of his gear and abilities from the first game into the sequel, allowing him to use all learned skills and stances immediately in the new game.

Horizon 3’s Potential Returning or Lost Items and Abilities

At this point, it’s unclear when Horizon 3 will launch or where its storyline might be set. Given the imminent threat posed by the alien AI Nemesis, it seems probable that Aloy will embark on another journey to locate a means of defeating the approaching alien menace. If this is the direction Guerrilla Games chooses, Aloy could begin with a fundamental arsenal, potentially including the Far Zenith Specter Gauntlet, dressed either in the Nora Anointed outfit or one of the popular outfits from Horizon Forbidden West. Alternatively, Guerrilla might have Aloy confront a catastrophic event that results in her losing most of her weapons, but she would retain her abilities and equipment from Forbidden West, such as the Pullcaster and Shieldwing.

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2025-04-21 22:14