Summary
TheHorizonfranchise features high-action combat against both humans and machines great and small. The idea of knocking off components from machines was novel inHorizon Zero Dawn, butHorizon Forbidden Westtook things further by introducing even more machines and combat mechanics. More importantly, there were also more damage types thrown in.
The inclusion of more damage types was a good move, as it ensured the core gameplay remained the same but wasn’t a cheap repeat of the prior game. AHorizon Forbidden Westsequel should keep the current balance the franchise has now. Add more, and things could get too complex. Reduce the list and things could get boring.
The Damage Types of Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawnalready has a long list of damage types. Different machines are weak against different damage types, forcingZero Dawnplayers to plan their loadoutscarefully to ensure Aloy has a sufficient variety of weapons to take on whatever dangers she comes across. These are the damage types found:
Horizon Forbidden Westexpands the list of damage typesin a meaningful way, ensuring players can employ new strategies to deal with the range of new enemies they face. These new damage types are fun to use and add significant depth to the combat. In addition to all ofZero Dawn’s damage types except Corruption,Forbidden Westalso has the following:
With these damage types,Aloy can take on any machines or bandits. Most importantly, the list provides great variety without overwhelming players with too many damage types.
The Weapons of Horizon Forbidden West
To accommodate the new damage types, there is a host ofnew weapons inForbidden West. Some of the most notable additions include the Acid Bomb Launcher, Plasma Bomb Launcher, and Pulse Cannon to name a few.
Horizon 3 Should Maintain Forbidden West’s Balance
Forbidden Weststrikes a sweet spot when it comes to damage types. There is enough to keep things fresh, but not so much that it becomes impossible to keep track of them all. ThenextHorizongamecan prevent stale combat in other ways, such as by introducing new weapons and machines. A greater variety of potions and outfits could also be added.
It’s hard to strike a good balance between ensuring things remain novel while not overwhelming players andForbidden Westmanages to achieve this feat. The next game should be careful if it attempts to alter the formulaForbidden Westhas laid down.
When is Horizon 3 Coming?
The nextHorizongame hasn’t been officially announced but the ending ofForbidden Westall but confirmed that it is coming. Aloy’s story is far from over, and in fact, it seems the greatest challenges are still to come thanks to the upcoming arrival ofNemesis the intensely misanthropic AI. Guerrilla Games is also working on a multiplayerHorizongame, though not many details have been revealed about this exciting project.
There’s a lot to appreciate about the Horizon franchise. It features gorgeous environments and a unique combat system with Aloy using primitive weapons to take on high-tech machines.Forbidden Westgets a lot right when it comes to damage types, and the nextHorizongame should tread carefully when it comes to adding or subtracting new damage types.
Horizon Forbidden West
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Aloy as she braves a majestic but dangerous new frontier that holds mysterious new threats. This Complete Edition allows you to enjoy the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West on PC in its entirety with bonus content, including the Burning Shores story expansion that picks up after the main game.Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity while fearsome new machines prowl their borders, and life on Earth is hurtling toward another extinction.It’s up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past.
