Horizon Forbidden West May Have Paved The Way For a Cheesy Twist in Horizon 3

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Major spoilers ahead for Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.

In Horizon Forbidden West, I found myself embracing an unexpected twist compared to its predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn. The game introduced me to Beta, a second clone of Elisabet Sobek, who shook up my world in more ways than one. Initially portrayed as a divine figure, learning about this other clone with a starkly different personality was a major shock that not only disrupted my plans but also challenged my self-perception. As the story unfolded, I formed a strong bond with Beta and recognized her as more than just a clone – she became my sister and an individual in her own right, playing a crucial role in my character development throughout Horizon Forbidden West.

In a similar vein as Aloy, the character Beta is poised for a substantial appearance in Horizon 3. However, there’s a risk that, due to common themes and stereotypes often found in clone or twin characters, the much-anticipated sequel might unintentionally slip into familiar, possibly cheesy territory. To maintain its unique appeal, Horizon 3 should exercise caution when handling these tropes.

Tropes, Cliches, and Horizon Forbidden West

How Horizon Forbidden West Uses Tropes to Define Aloy and Beta’s Relationship

In the game Horizon Forbidden West, characters Aloy and Beta are both clones of Elisabet. Throughout the story, various tropes associated with clones are evident. By the end of the game, however, their relationship evolves into something akin to sisters, incorporating themes not only from clone narratives but also those relating to twins.

In simple terms, a trope refers to a recurring plot device or character type often found in various forms of media. A cliche, on the other hand, is a trope that’s been used so frequently that it has become tired and loses its original impact and meaning. Although they aren’t inherently negative, both should be used judiciously to evoke specific emotions when writing.

TV Tropes is a free online encyclopedia run by volunteers who catalog various narrative patterns found in media, such as Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West. For instance, both sisters in these games feel the tension of Clone Angst, living under Elisabet’s shadow, while Beta’s treatment by Far Zenith illustrates the “Clones Are People, Too” trope. In Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy and Beta display characteristics that are opposites in many ways but also show exceptional teamwork when they collaborate, as seen in the GEMINI cauldron and during confrontations with Far Zenith.

Horizon 3 Probably Won’t Let Both Aloy and Beta Survive

In the tradition of past installments, Horizon 3 is likely to feature many familiar tropes. However, Beta’s introduction opens up possibilities for some tropes that border on cliché. Aloy, carrying Elisabet’s DNA and mission, embodies a Messianic Archetype, a role she now shares with Beta in several aspects. Regrettably, similar to the biblical figure it is named after, this archetype often concludes with a self-sacrificing act. Interestingly, Elisabet herself exemplified this archetype when she sealed the Zero Dawn facility, which housed GAIA and its auxiliary functions like HEPHAESTUS in the chronicles of Horizon’s Earth, ultimately sealing her own fate in the process.

Since there are now two of them, Horizon 3 might face a scenario where only one sibling survives. One possibility is through a Twin Switch, which could result in Beta’s death due to a tragic case of mistaken identity. This could be executed with dramatic irony or structured so that even the players believe Aloy has perished, resulting in a surprising Fake-Out Twist.

Another possibility is that Aloy, the stronger twin, might give up her life for the mission or to save Beta. This scenario could result in the Weaker Survivor Saves the Day scenario, enabling Beta to continue the legacy of both Elisabet and Aloy into a new era beyond Horizon 3.

The goal is to maintain the original meaning while making it more natural and easy to read for a broader audience.

In simpler terms, Aloy and Beta, the clone characters from Horizon 3, might both live through the game or meet their end. Given that they are clones of Elisabet, there’s a strong possibility they could have an emotional journey filled with tension, which is often referred to as an Angsty Surviving Twin scenario. However, it’s crucial for Guerrilla Games to handle this situation sensitively to avoid falling into common tropes that might lead to eye rolls rather than emotion or surprise when such a plot unfolds.

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2025-08-13 01:04