Horizon 3 Travelling Overseas for its Setting Could Be a Double-Edged Sword

Horizon 3 Travelling Overseas for its Setting Could Be a Double-Edged Sword

As a devoted Horizon fan who has traversed the snowy peaks of Colorado and the sun-kissed beaches of California with Aloy, I can’t help but feel a thrill at the prospect of exploring the mysterious Quen Empire in Horizon 3. The idea of delving into an Asian setting, filled with advanced technology and ancient wisdom, promises a fresh and exciting adventure that would set Horizon apart from its predecessors.


One captivating feature of the Horizon series lies in its intricate universe and the diverse civilizations dwelling within it. Ranging from the snow-covered peaks of post-apocalyptic Colorado to the coastal regions of post-apocalyptic California, gamers have navigated challenging yet recognizable terrains in Horizon while embodying Aloy and advancing her quest to save the world from deadly machines. Through their experience, players have gained extensive knowledge about local tribes like the hierarchical Carja and the warlike Tenakth. However, a relatively unexplored tribe could pave the way for an entirely new backdrop in Horizon 3: the Quen.

Horizon Quen Empire Explained

In the game “Horizon Forbidden West,” the Quen tribe, newly arrived on the western coast of the post-apocalyptic U.S., remains enshrouded in mystery as they are the most advanced civilization encountered in the Horizon series to date. Their origins seem to trace back to the Asian mainland or Cradle facilities from Project Zero Dawn. The Quen are depicted with technology that is far more sophisticated than what most tribes in the series possess. Many Quen, known as Diviners, utilize larger, older, and less efficient versions of the Focus device, which resemble headsets rather than the small earpieces used by Aloy. In contrast, modern tribes rarely use or even understand ancient technology.

In the initial stages of the Quen’s civilization, they acquired Focus devices that opened gates to ancient knowledge, significantly accelerating their technological growth compared to North American tribes. With this accumulated wisdom, the Quen evolved into a formidable empire, with a focus on unearthing old knowledge they refer to as ‘Legacy’, and venerating ancient humans they term ‘Ancestors’. This cultural emphasis eventually prompted them to organize an expedition eastward towards the Isle of Spires, in search of information that could aid them in restoring their land from an environmental disaster.

So far, across the Horizon series, we’ve seen seven distinct tribes: Quen, Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk, Utaru, and Tenakth.

Horizon 3’s Potential Asian Setting

In the main storyline of Forbidden West, the Quen had a minor part, but they play a more significant role in the Burning Shores DLC, as Far Zenith Walter Londra exploits them for his purposes. Since the Quen assisted Aloy in defeating the Far Zeniths, especially through allies like Alva and Seyka, it’s possible that the Quen could aid Aloy and other tribes in overcoming the rogue HEPHAESTUS and Nemesis AIs. At the end of Forbidden West, Alva and Seyka are portrayed as helping to reassemble the Quen expeditionary fleet and educating the remaining Quen on using the Focus, in anticipation of Nemesis’ attack on Earth.

In a battle to save the entire world, Aloy might find herself venturing westward across Asia to gain an edge against Nemesis. Not only that, she could be compelled to aid in healing the Quen lands to secure the Emperor’s support in the struggle against Nemesis. The backdrop of Horizon 3 being set in the Quen Empire offers a fresh experience for players, potentially introducing them to innovative tools, weapons, armor, and even vehicles like commandeering a boat due to the Quen’s advanced technology. A setting for Horizon 3 within the Quen Empire could result in an abundance of new gear, interactions, and challenges in a technologically advanced, densely populated civilization. However, it may also mean saying goodbye to some familiar Horizon elements in North America.

The Potential Setback of An Overseas Horizon 3

One potential disadvantage of setting Horizon 3 in the Quen’s Great Delta is that the landscape may introduce entirely novel machines, while fewer or none of the machines from Forbidden West or Zero Dawn might be present. This could make Horizon 3 more challenging due to the deadlier machines, but it might also feel less vibrant without a diverse array of machines. Similarly, the overseas setting may limit the impact of past tribes and companions on Horizon, relegating them to more passive roles unless they accompany Aloy to the Quen. It’s unlikely that all of Aloy’s companions would embark on the journey across the Pacific Ocean, given their preoccupation with preparing themselves and their tribes for the impending Nemesis threat.

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2024-10-19 23:33