Horizon Zero Dawn cemented itself as one of the most impressive first-party exclusives available on the PlayStation 4, something which its sequel Horizon Forbidden West is looking replicate on the PS5. Although Guerilla Games is hard at work on the game, no confirmed release date has been announced as of yet, although there is an estimated launch window of 2021. With only a single reveal trailer for Horizon Forbidden West for fans to watch so far, the anticipation is mounting for further information and reveals for the upcoming title.
While waiting for Horizon Forbidden West to release, many players may fall back on the original or even similar AAA action adventure titles like God of War and Assassin's Creed: Valhalla to hold them over. The obvious choice is to fall back on other big budget blockbuster games to ease one's excitement, however there are many much smaller indie titles that bear a resemblance and share commonalities with Horizon Forbidden West for players to discover. Whether from a visual aesthetic point of view or familiar gameplay mechanics, the following games should be on the radar for any fan of Horizon.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight may seem to have more in common with other similarly gothic adventure games like Castlevania and Bloodborne, however there is plenty here for fans of Horizon as well. Both games feature stunning visual art styles that make excellent use of a wide range of colors and unique environments. The worlds in both games take place in a location that is packed with history, taking place well after a series of pivotal events forever shaped the landscape.
Beyond that, however, is an undying sense of discovery and mystery that permeates throughout every nook and cranny of the experience. Hollow Knight is a "Metroidvania" by nature, which encourages a balance of intense combat encounters and tirelessly exploring every square inch of the game's world. For players that enjoyed the serene feeling of traversing a gorgeous world with danger at any turn in Horizon Zero Dawn, should definitely invest some time into Hollow Knight.
Subnautica
For those who still haven't satisfied the itch of exploration and discovery, Subnautica should be the next game on any list for players that love to slowly discover an entire world. Horizon Zero Dawn contains many moments of calm, careful navigation, something which Subnautica puts front and center into its game's massive scope and design.
Based on the reveal trailer for Horizon Forbidden West, it seems like Guerilla may be hinting at more underwater swimming sections, to even further expand the ways in which players interact with the world in the game. Because of this, it would be a good practice round for players to get their feet wet (pun intended) and dive into the world of Subnautica first, before seeing the many underwater wonders in the upcoming PlayStation blockbuster.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
While Kena: Bridge of Spirits still isn't available as of the time of writing, it is still shaping up to be a delightful gaming treat for players. This is the first game being developed by the team behind the project, Ember Lab, so it has a lot riding on it to succeed. But if the trailers showcasing dazzling graphics and exciting action platforming are any indication, the company will have a big hit right off the bat.
Furthermore, with a confirmed August release for Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the game is most likely going to be available to consumers before Horizon Forbidden West launches. The influence of spirituality and nature on the game's visual design is similar to ideas introduced in the first Horizon title back in 2017, and it also doesn't hurt that the game is a third person action adventure title as well. Cherry on the cake is how Kena has the ability to use a magical bow and arrow in combat encounters, a weapon that should feel right at home to those who controlled Aloy throughout her own epic journey.
Transistor
While Supergiant Games latest effort Hades won several Game of the Year Awards, players shouldn't skip the company's equally excellent earlier title, Transistor. While above entries are a good fit for gamers that especially enjoyed the exploration portion of Horizon Zero Dawn, those who really resonated with its combat mechanics will feel right at home here.
Horizon Zero Dawn features many action beats that are relentlessly paced, with a furious barrage of enemies for the player to contend with all at once. It is truly a dance, with moves needing to be mapped out in the player's mind three steps ahead in order to stay on top of things, as well as properly juggling between weapons to best suit each situation. The gameplay in Transistor is very similar, with very strategic combat encounters that require a fair deal of attention and planning to survive.
Biomutant
Another title that isn't currently available (for another few days anyway), but Biomutant seems like the Saturday morning cartoon version of many elements that make Horizon Zero Dawn so beloved in the first place. The mix of more natural beauty and a destroyed, apocalyptic wasteland is present in Biomutant as well, making the best of both visual styles to create a pleasing feast for the eyes.
To really hit the nail on the head, both games often pit the player against gigantic foes with the objective being to do whatever it takes to bring them down. The weapons at hand may seem feeble in comparison to the enemies attacking, but with smart use of each, a certain flow will be found to overcome each of these adversaries. With Biomutant launching very soon, it should scratch the post apocalyptic action game itch until Horizon Forbidden West appears on the scene.
Horizon Forbidden West releases on PS4 and PS5 in late 2021.
