Guerrilla Games has made a daring move with Horizon Call of the Mountain, as it introduces the franchise to the world of VR. Just as notably, Horizon Call of the Mountain also veers away from Aloy and features Ryas as the protagonist. Though fans may miss Aloy, Ryas is an interesting character, as he is a former Shadow Carja warrior, and through him, players learn a teensy bit more about the Carja tribe. This could be vital for understanding future events in the franchise.
There is plenty brewing in the Horizon universe, and Aloy has to be prepared. She has to deal with Nemesis, who may be her greatest challenge yet, but first, she will be taking a detour to Los Angeles, which has been turned into a volcanic archipelago in the Burning Shores DLC. Though it is not yet known how Aloy will conquer the obstacles ahead, the Carja tribe may play a role, which is another reason for fans to consider playing Call of the Mountain.
Ryas' Backstory as a Shadow Carja Warrior in Horizon Call of the Mountain
Call of the Mountain takes place before the events of Horizon Forbidden West. It seems it occurs around Quest 16, "To Curse the Darkness," where Aloy appears in a cameo in Call of the Mountain and takes a detour to help Ryas find his way to the Sunspire before she returns to her own endeavors. Ryas, instead, is on a quest to find redemption. This is not unexpected, as the Shadow Carja tribe is a spin-off cult that formed when a group of warriors refused to accept the Sun-King Avad's leadership.
Ryas begins as a soldier in the Carja army, and he serves nobly after he and his brother, Urid, are trained by his father. When conflict stirs between Horizon's Sun-King Avad and his father Jiran concerning who should rule the Carja tribe, Ryas' unit sides with Jiran while Urid's unit remains loyal to Avad. Ryas is eventually captured by the Carja, though he is spared execution and given the opportunity to receive a pardon if he is willing to investigate a strange signal drawing danger to the Sundom. He is perfect for the job because he is a skilled climber, and the signal is coming from mountains too perilous for most to tackle.
Ryas and the Future of the Carja Tribe in Horizon Games
Through his determination and bravery, Ryas completes the task given to him, and as promised, he is given his pardon. This allows him to search for his brother and tie up the loose ends of his past. Understanding Ryas' role in the Liberation of Meridian and the rest of the Carja Civil War is vital if one wishes to have a better perspective of the history of arguably the most important tribe in the Horizon series. Through Ryas, players learn how the conflict was more than just a political event. It ripped families apart, changed lives forever, and left many with heartache and unresolved trauma.
Call of the Mountain also demonstrates that through forgiveness, broken bonds can be mended. It requires people to always see the best in each other, however. This may be vital in Aloy's upcoming war against Nemesis, as she will likely have to convince tribes to put grudges aside and work together against a common threat. Having experienced life under conflict, the Carja tribe may be vital in bringing different tribes together harmoniously.
Understandably, many Horizon fans want to jump into Call of the Mountain but can't due to the prohibitive price of the PS VR2. This is something Guerrilla Games should consider with future spin-offs. Ryas can reveal a lot more about the Carja tribe, and making spin-offs accessible to flat-screen players will expand the reach of his story.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is available on PS VR2.
