Horizon Forbidden West is a triumphant sequel that continues Aloy's story while greatly expanding the gameplay. Aloy has access to new powerful weapons, and she needs them because the Forbidden West is teeming with deadly machines. Series veterans may be used to combat thanks to their experience with Horizon Zero Dawn, but there are new things to learn because there have been new damage types introduced. A Horizon Forbidden West follow-up will likely feature new damage types as well, though developers should be careful that they don't introduce too many, as it could lead to combat becoming too complicated.
The additional damage types in Horizon Forbidden West mean there are more ways to defeat enemies. However, it also means that foes have more ways to defend themselves against Aloy's attacks due to the widening range of strengths and weaknesses. Though more damage types could be fun, developers would be better off focusing on improving other elements of gameplay in the next Horizon game.
Horizon Forbidden West's Damage Balance
In Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy first has a spear, but she soon gains various other weapons that help her when she is up against enemies, whether they are as small as the Watchers or as big as the Thunderjaws. Players need to keep a variety of weapons, and a good assortment of ammunition types, because they deal different kinds of damage that are effective on different kinds of machines. In addition to regular Damage, players can also inflict Tear Damage which is good for destroying and ripping off machine components. There is also Fire Damage, Freeze Damage, Shock Damage, and Corruption Damage, and these have secondary effects such as making machines brittle or burning them.
When Aloy heads to the Forbidden West, she encounters new damage types. Regular Damage has been divided into Melee Damage and Ranged Damage. All the prior damage types except Corruption return, and the following new types are introduced: Purgewater Damage, Acid Damage, Plasma Damage, and Explosive Damage. Adhesive and Berserk are also introduced, which deal no damage but have interesting effects. Adhesive slows down foes, while Berserk forces the target to attack anything.
Horizon Forbidden West's ending made it clear that Aloy still has a great challenge ahead, and that her story isn't over yet. In her next journey, she will likely discover new weapons, which may bring new damage types. This could be dangerous, as it sometimes felt like Horizon Forbidden West was struggling to balance its current array of damage types. Oftentimes, it is difficult to have a loadout that accounts for all damage types, which means that players don't always have the right tools to deal with the enemies in front of them. The danger of having too many damage types should be kept in mind when developers are crafting the next Horizon game. Though combat should be improved, there are other ways to do this, such as by adding more interesting weapons such as the Shredder Gauntlets or giving players new kinds of traps to lay.
Before the Horizon threequel, gamers will follow Aloy to Los Angeles with the Burning Shores DLC. The trailer depicts a Horus Titan awakening, suggesting that Aloy could be in for her greatest challenge yet. The skills she learns and the information she gains could be of great aid to her as she prepares for the arrival of Nemesis.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.
