Every open world game comes with the element of collecting collectibles, and the Horizon franchise is no different. Horizon Zero Dawn features collectibles such as old-world mugs and metal flowers, and Horizon Forbidden West features collectibles such as black boxes and vista points. This begs the question of what kind of collectibles Horizon 3 might feature, and there is one potential moment in Horizon Forbidden West that could inspire a unique collectible in Horizon 3.

In Horizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games collaborated with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to bring real-world art into the world of Horizon. With several real-world paintings appearing in Horizon Forbidden West, it could be a springboard for a potential collectible in Horizon 3. The collectible in question could be real-world pieces of art that the player could collect.

Aloy Horizon
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Horizon 3 Could Feature Real-World Pieces of Art as Collectibles

Thanks to the collaboration, in Horizon Forbidden West, Tilda introduced Aloy to her collection of art, which in fact was real-world art. This could easily be a springboard for more real-world art pieces to become collectibles in Horizon 3, either from the Rijksmuseum, or other museums from around the world.

Horizon Forbidden West introduced puzzles set in old world ruins and upon completion, awarded the player with an Ornament that could be used to illuminate the sky with holograms in the old ruins of Las Vegas. Attaining the pieces of art could work in the same way as how players attain ornaments. The player will come across an old ruin or bunker, and sealed inside is a preserved piece of art. The player could come across a puzzle that, when successfully completed, the player will be given a passcode to the room or bunker where the art is safely hidden away.

A Historical and Educational Horizon Collectable

Collectibles are a fun element in many open world games and lots of them help with the lore of the respected game. If Horizon 3 were to have real-world pieces of art as a collectible, it could have an educational aspect by teaching players about the piece of art and the artist. Horizon Forbidden West did that by having Tilda explain her collection of paintings to Aloy as the player interacts with said paintings.

With these collectibles having an educational aspect, it could certainly add some depth to the exploration element of Horizon 3 by providing some interesting real world facts about the paintings players collect. Not only that, but it could also intertwine with Aloy’s story of saving the world by having her protect and preserve art from the old world. Once collected, each painting could appear in a new room within Aloy's base where the player and other characters can admire them.

Real-World Horizon Collectibles Could Provide Opportunities for Guerrilla Games

The collaboration between Guerrilla Games and the Rijksmuseum was a fascinating move to introduce real-world art to the fictional world of Horizon. The collaboration made sense as both the Rijksmuseum and Guerrilla Games are both located in Amsterdam. If Guerrilla Games does decide to add more real-world art pieces to Horizon 3, then it gives them the perfect opportunity to collaborate with more museums from around the world.

The studio could collaborate with other museums in Amsterdam, such as the Van Gogh Museum to introduce the art of Van Gogh to Aloy’s world, or the Stedelijk Museum to introduce modern and contemporary art to the game. Or the studio could venture outside of Amsterdam and The Netherlands and collaborate with museums in other countries. Regardless of what Guerrilla Games does with Horizon 3, there is plenty of potential for an art collectible, and it will be interesting to see if the studio pursues that avenue.