The Horizon Series’ Spin-Offs Show the Flexibility of the Franchise

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The Horizon Series' Spin-Offs Show the Flexibility of the Franchise

Key Takeaways

  • The
    Horizon
    franchise thrives on stunning visuals and a sci-fi and tribal blend that keeps fans engaged.
  • Guerrilla Games showcases franchise adaptability with VR & Lego games, indicating a promising future.
  • Horizon
    ‘s worldbuilding allows for new characters and adaptations across various formats beyond video games.

As a die-hard Horizon fan who has traversed the breathtaking landscapes and battled fearsome machines alongside Aloy, I can confidently say that Guerrilla Games’ creativity knows no bounds. The franchise’s ability to blend sci-fi elements with tribal cultures in a visually stunning world is nothing short of extraordinary.

The Horizon franchise, produced by Sony’s first-party team, joins the ranks of numerous open-world games. Some players might feel fatigued by this concept, but Horizon distinguishes itself with its breathtaking graphics, captivating landscapes, and unique fusion of science fiction and culturally rich tribes. Although there hasn’t been an official declaration, the ending of Forbidden West strongly hints that Aloy’s journey is far from concluded.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated the flexibility of franchises to evolve and adapt, and Guerrilla Games has truly shown this with the Horizon series. For instance, instead of sticking to the traditional path, they’ve ventured into VR gaming with ‘Horizon: Call of the Mountain’, where a new character named Ryas embarks on a mountain-climbing journey to seek redemption. Moreover, they’re also dabbling in the world of Lego with the upcoming ‘Lego Horizon’ game, promising a lighthearted, humorous gaming experience. Here’s hoping Guerrilla Games continues to innovate and showcase the incredible versatility of this franchise!

What Makes the Horizon Franchise so Flexible?

The appeal of Horizon stems from its meticulously crafted universe. Despite being set in a future era, the game depicts humans living in tribal societies and relying on whatever nature provides, creating an engaging fusion of futurism and primitivism that has captivated gamers’ imaginations. However, the world of Horizon is far from tranquil; its inhabitants are constantly threatened by menacing machines, a danger only the courageous few can confront. Defeating one of these machines yields valuable scraps for crafting essential items. Amidst the untamed landscapes, players will discover advanced Cauldrons ripe for exploration, ensuring there’s always something new to uncover.

Despite Aloy being a standout character with her self-reliance and proficiency in machine hunting, the world within the Horizon series remains engaging even when she’s not present. This is demonstrated in Horizon: Call of the Mountain, where players control Ryas instead of Aloy. Taking this risk and shifting protagonists proved to be a smart move as it showed that developers can successfully introduce alternative heroes while still allowing players to delve into the world of Horizon. This adaptability could potentially enable the franchise to continue beyond Aloy, introducing new champions who may play crucial roles in humanity’s survival.

How Call of the Mountain and Lego Horizon Adventures Demonstrate Horizon’s Flexibility

In a VR setting, Call of the Mountain offers an experience where, unlike in the usual Horizon games, Aloy plays a minor role. Instead, players embody Ryas, who embarks on a mission to gain forgiveness. This demonstrates that the series can adapt and thrive even without Aloy as the main character. Potential successors to Aloy’s position include characters such as Zo and Talanah. Unlike the original game, this version focuses more on mountain climbing and reaching treacherous peaks, although mechanical combat does make an appearance.

In Horizon Lego Adventures, players will discover a fresh aspect of the Horizon series. This game will adopt an isometric view and, unlike before, Aloy won’t have to face all the challenges alone as she’ll be joined by friends like Varl. The LEGO-style gameplay aligns perfectly with the franchise, as it mirrors the ability to dismantle machines in a way that’s reminiscent of separating LEGO blocks.

There’s Still More Horizon to Go Around

Beyond just video games, fans of the Horizon franchise can explore official comic books related to it. Written by Anne Toole, this comic series is part of the franchise’s canon and occasionally includes details not found in the games, serving as a potential entrance point for new mediums in the Horizon universe.

It’s evident that Guerrila Games has grand ambitions for the Horizon series, with its exceptional world-building set to persist. The distinctive universe they’ve crafted opens up numerous possibilities for the franchise, not just confined to video games. Few titles can match the experimental potential of Horizon, which is a testament to Guerrilla Games’ innovation and creativity.

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2024-09-20 19:36