Some PS5 Gamers Will Get to Play the Next Horizon Game This Weekend

The popular Horizon series is expanding with a new spin-off game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, and fans will get a first look this weekend through a playtest. Horizon Hunters Gathering is a cooperative online game set in the world of Horizon, giving players a chance to experience a new way to play in this universe.

Announced in early February, Horizon Hunters Gathering is a significant shift for the Horizon series, known previously for its single-player PlayStation exclusives. The new game features a unique, stylized art style and a live-service model, marking a surprising direction for the franchise. While a multiplayer Horizon game has been rumored for some time, the reveal of Horizon Hunters Gathering confirms Guerrilla Games has been developing a co-op experience.

Horizon Hunters Gathering is Hosting Its First Closed Playtest This Weekend

  • The playtest will run from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1.
  • Both PS5 and PC users will be allowed into the test.
  • PC users will access the game via Steam.

This playtest is limited to players already enrolled in the PlayStation beta program, but there’s still time to sign up before it begins. Once Friday arrives, registration will close, so if you’re a fan of Horizon, you’ll need to act quickly. Please note that the Horizon Hunters Gathering playtest is only available to players in North America and Europe. While fans eagerly await more news about Horizon 3, Horizon Hunters Gathering offers the first new Horizon experience in some time.

Game servers in North America will be available from 4pm to 7pm Pacific Time. Players in Europe can access servers between 7pm and 10pm Central European Time.

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There’s still a lot we don’t know about Horizon Hunters Gathering, but Guerrilla Games has shared some details. This new Horizon game is a co-op experience – a big change from the series’ usual single-player stories. It will let up to three players team up as ‘Hunters’ and focus on tactical, skill-based gameplay. Players can choose from three characters – Axle, Sun, and Rem – during the upcoming playtest. Two game modes have also been revealed: Machine Incursion, where you fight waves of machines, and Cauldron Descent, which involves exploring a multi-stage dungeon. Both modes will be available to test out soon.

Horizon Hunters Gathering is Going to Be Canon to the Larger Horizon Universe

What makes Horizon Hunters Gathering particularly exciting is its connection to the larger Horizon story. According to Guerrilla Games, the game features a story campaign with new characters, mysteries, and dangers – details they’re keeping secret for now. They’ve confirmed that Hunters Gathering is officially part of the Horizon universe and its story will continue to evolve even after the game launches. It will be fascinating to see how the game builds upon the existing Horizon lore.

The Horizon Hunters Gathering playtest is launching at a busy moment, coinciding with Sony’s Marathon Server Slam this weekend. Marathon‘s development hasn’t been without challenges, and some Horizon fans are disappointed that a multiplayer spin-off is coming out before Horizon 3. It will be interesting to see what players think of both games after they’ve had a chance to try them out this weekend.

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2026-02-25 02:04