How the Horizon Series Can Persist Even When Aloy’s Story Ends

by

The Horizon series, for approximately eight years, has predominantly focused on the life and accomplishments of the character Aloy, portrayed as the main heroine in most official Horizon media. However, there are exceptions such as the virtual reality game Horizon Call of the Mountain and tabletop games like Horizon Zero Dawn: The Board Game and Horizon Forbidden West: Seeds of Rebellion where Aloy appears infrequently. It is anticipated that she may have a similar role in future multiplayer and MMO spin-off games. Despite her popularity, Guerrilla Games might need to explore a Horizon universe without Aloy if her destiny changes in the expected Horizon 3.

Aloy’s Potential Fate in Horizon 3

At the conclusion of “Horizon Forbidden West,” the Tenakth Uprising is on the brink of disintegration following the demise of their leader Regalla and Asera, the head of the Sons of Prometheus. Shortly after, Aloy and her companions successfully infiltrate the Far Zenith facility and subdue most of the extraterrestrial life forms. However, they discover that the faction was attempting to flee from a dangerous artificial intelligence called Nemesis before escaping during the battle. Although rogue AI HEPHAESTUS eluded them at Far Zenith, Aloy and her companions vowed to put an end to both AIs and vanquish the remaining members of the Far Zenith. Aloy and her new ally Seyka swiftly accomplished this mission by eliminating the last member of the Far Zenith, Walter Londra, in the Burning Shores DLC.

As the looming menace of Nemesis approaches, potentially bringing about the demise of our planet, and with Horizon 3 being the next installment in the trilogy, fans are anticipating this game to mark Aloy’s final journey as the main character in the Horizon series. Whether she chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice during her battle against Nemesis or decides to lead a less tumultuous life following its defeat, both outcomes could provide fitting conclusions for Aloy’s character arc.

Originally an outcast from the Nora tribe, Aloy has grown to become the savior not only of Meridian and the Forbidden West but potentially the entire world. Guerrilla Games might decide to have Aloy survive her confrontation with Nemesis, thus setting her fate apart from Elisabet Sobeck’s sacrifice. This could allow Aloy to live a full life that Sobeck never had, possibly mentoring future heroes in the process.

Potential New Protagonists in Future Horizon Games

In potential upcoming Horizon games or spin-offs, it’s plausible that some of Aloy’s closest associates might take the lead role, much like Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross did in Uncharted: The Lost Legacy after initially being associated with series protagonist Nathan Drake. One such character who could easily star in a Horizon game is Erend Vanguardsman of the Oseram, a friend of Aloy since her friend Varl’s passing and a recurring character across all Horizon games except Call of the Mountain. Since Erend has already established a significant presence in the series, fans might find it less jarring if he were to transition from a supporting role to the protagonist in future installments compared to introducing an entirely new character.

In a potential scenario for Horizon 4, Guerrilla Games might introduce a fresh character hailing from a new region, such as post-apocalyptic Europe, South America, Africa, or Australia. This change could mark the beginning of the series’ exploration beyond the western United States, delving into other parts of the machine-inhabited world. The new protagonist, unlike their predecessors, would have minimal connections to the old world and would need to navigate unfamiliar threats using diplomacy rather than relying heavily on genetic traits or technological advancements. This narrative shift could enrich and broaden the Horizon universe.

A Horizon Game Following Varl and Zo’s Child Feels Very Possible

An intriguing approach for Guerrilla to pursue with the Horizon series post-Horizon 3 could involve Varl and Zo’s offspring taking center stage in the next main Horizon game. As Zo disclosed towards the end of Forbidden West, she was pregnant with Varl’s child, though the exact timeline is uncertain. Assuming that Zo’s baby would be born during or at the conclusion of Horizon 3‘s narrative, Horizon 4 could see Zo or Aloy guiding Varl’s child in becoming a skilled warrior and embarking on a fresh adventure to protect the world or perhaps delve into unexplored territories such as the Quen’s homeland or eastern North America.

In the course of the Horizon series, players have thus far controlled a total of five characters – Aloy, Rya, Varl, Teersa, and Erend.

Read More

2025-04-09 05:39