As PlayStation Mascots Come and Go, Horizon 3 Should Stick to Its Bows

by

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel the excitement brewing within me as we eagerly await news about the next chapter in our beloved Horizon series. Behind the scenes, Guerrilla Games is diligently working to expand this captivating franchise, with projects like the multiplayer spin-off underway. However, it’s the third mainline Horizon entry that has us all on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating its arrival.

Although Horizon 3 hasn’t been formally unveiled, Guerrilla Games has hinted that Aloy’s tale isn’t finished yet through Forbidden West. The arrival of Beta, a clone of Elizabeth Sobeck, has created a sister-like connection between them and Aloy. In Horizon 3, we can expect both characters to collaborate closely, but it seems likely that Aloy will remain the central character as the story’s protagonist when the game is released.

Horizon 3 Needs to Stick With the Franchise’s Single-Protagonist Streak

In the upcoming game Horizon 3, we don’t know yet what roles Aloy and Beta might play in the story, but there’s a chance that Beta could become a second playable character. Aloy is more physically strong, while Beta excels in intelligence. This could lead to intricate stealth scenarios and puzzles. However, since players have only controlled one character in the previous two games, it might be challenging for Guerrilla Games to switch to dual protagonists at this point.

Currently, Guerrilla Games has not yet announced a release date for Horizon 3. There’s a possibility that it might serve as a launch title for the PS6, although this is just conjecture.

Other Sony Heavy-Hitters Have Been Embracing Multiple Protagonists

  • The Last of Us
  • God of War
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man

In “The Last of Us Part 1”, players primarily take on the role of Joel, but later get to control Ellie as well. Conversely, in “The Last of Us Part 2”, both Ellie and Abby become the main characters. Meanwhile, “God of War Ragnarok” serves as a development for Atreus’ character, while “Marvel’s Spider-Man” introduced Miles Morales, who later starred in his own spin-off game. This led to Miles and Peter Parker (Spider-Man) sharing the lead roles in the sequel.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 1&2 also use MJ as a third playable character for various stealth missions.

The way these three franchises introduced multiple main characters felt organic and fit well with their stories. If Guerrilla Games plans to make Aloy and Beta both significant characters in future games, they might have waited too long for a smooth transition. For the final installment of Horizon, it’s crucial that Aloy’s story concludes effectively, and adding another playable character could detract from this. Even if they use a different character as a second protagonist instead of Beta, it would still feel abrupt because the previous games have focused on a single hero.

If Guerrilla Games plans to use Aloy and Beta as joint main characters, it might be that they’ve left the window of opportunity for a seamless transition too late.

The Horizon Franchise Can Still Explore Other Characters

Working on the multiplayer spin-off game titled Horizon, Guerrilla Games can introduce new characters without overwhelming Aloy’s storyline in the main narrative. While the details about Horizon Online are still shrouded in mystery like Horizon 3, this game offers an intriguing opportunity to broaden the franchise’s backstory beyond Aloy.

Ever since the release of “Zero Dawn” in 2017, Aloy has become one of Sony’s most recent iconic characters, often appearing alongside other favorites. It might seem unusual when she takes a more prominent role in the upcoming third installment of the series. While it’s impossible to tell for certain, “Horizon 3” could potentially serve as a farewell for Aloy. If that’s the plan, it would be fitting for her to end the franchise as the star character.

Read More

2025-08-25 21:25