Guerilla Games seems committed to expanding the world of Horizon: Forbidden West through numerous spin-offs, and that makes it a great time to be a fan of this series. The series will grow through the PlayStation VR2 title Horizon: Call of the Mountain, and Aloy's adventures in Horizon: Forbidden West will continue in the Burning Shores DLC. A third title is probably in the works as well, and there are rumors circulating that Sony has plans for a Horizon: Zero Dawn remaster and multiplayer spin-off. All of these upcoming titles will help expand the franchise in new ways, and it should pave the way for spin-offs in new genres like the survival genre.
Guerilla Games has barely scratched the surface of Horizon's potential, and spin-offs are the best way to fully realize its world. The world is rife with stories waiting to be told, and it seems like it could easily be molded into all sorts of different genres. Specifically, the world that Guerilla created seems like the perfect place for a survival game. All the necessary elements are already there, and Guerilla just has to pull the trigger.
The Horizon: Forbidden West World Is Perfect for a Survival Game
The world of Horizon has danger waiting around every corner, and Aloy is not the only one fighting for survival. During Aloy's journey across North America, she has encountered various tribes of humans vying for resources in a world torn apart by AI and rampaging robots. Players have been able to get a glimpse at the struggle of the common man during their fight to save the planet, and it could be a lot of fun if they actually got to experience that fight.
The dangerous world of Horizon that Guerilla created seems like the perfect setting for a survival game. Players could create their own character, and get plopped into this world. They would have to collect resources to survive against the harsh environment and combat all sorts of machines if they wanted any chance at surviving the night. The fighting mechanics could be pretty similar to those of Horizon: Forbidden West, but adding classic survival mechanics would really shake it up.
Players would have to scrounge for food, build their base of operations, and defend it against rampaging machines and other humans, and perhaps even build a tribe of their own. As they kill more robots and find more resources, they would be able to acquire better gear that they could use to defend themselves against all the dangers of the world. This could be done in singleplayer or multiplayer too, leaving Guerrilla with options.
Spin-Offs Expand the Horizon World in New Ways
Right now, the world of Horizon is primarily focused on Aloy's quest to save the planet. The first game had her stopping the rampant AI HADES, while the second title saw her rebuild GAIA and stop the Far Zeniths, and the third will most likely see her combat the destructive Nemesis teased in Horizon Forbidden West. These adventures are interesting and really fun, but they barely scratch the surface of Horizon's potential.
Horizon: Call of the Mountain will mark the first time that the series has explored settings and protagonists beyond of Aloy's journey, and it should not stop there. Spin-offs allow the developers to explore new corners of their worlds and tell new stories within them. Some of the best series have numerous spin-offs that help fully realize the world they take place in, and Horizon should be no different. The world of Horizon seems like the perfect place for a survival game, and it could help further build out this expansive world. Players would no longer be the powerhouse clone of Elisabet Sobeck, but instead they would control a simple person vying for a place in this world.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.
