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<\/article>\nContinuing The Story<\/h2>\n
Some games don\u2019t require you to play the previous title before jumping into the follow-up. And though the developer states you can enjoy\u00a0Horizon Forbidden West without playing Zero Dawn, we don\u2019t recommend it.\u00a0<\/span>The sequel picks up a few months after its predecessor, and if you haven\u2019t played it, we highly suggest you do. If you are trying to avoid details on the original game\u2019s plot, be warned there are minor spoilers below<\/strong> for Aloy\u2019s first adventure.<\/p>\n Once an outcast to her people, Aloy brought disparate neighboring tribes together to defend against a common threat in Zero Dawn. The inhuman foe, an ancient AI program capable of unimaginable destruction, began taking control of once-friendly machines, making them hostile. The game\u2019s ending gave us a lot of answers about the world and the origin of its animal-like robots, but it also left us with questions. For instance, what initiated the threatening program in the first place?<\/p>\n In the upcoming title, Aloy navigates unfamiliar terrain, both physically as she explores new landscapes on her westward trek and psychologically as she deals with the side effects of her newfound fame. Aloy travels to the titular Forbidden West to figure out what is causing a famine-inducing red blight and destructive weather patterns. Luckily, she won\u2019t be going it alone.<\/p>\n Last year, we got our first glimpse at Horizon Forbidden West\u2019s gameplay during a dedicated State of Play<\/a>. Here, the developers revealed Erend<\/strong>, a lively and loyal Oseram warrior who befriended Aloy in Zero Dawn, is working with her again. Hoping to give players more time with the world\u2019s characters this time around, Guerrilla lets players interact with many of the first game\u2019s recognizable faces, including the Oseram settlement head Petra<\/strong> and Talanah<\/strong>, leader of the Carja Hunters Lodge.<\/p>\n More recently, we got a glimpse of Aloy\u2019s fellow Nora tribesman, Varl<\/strong> riding machines and infiltrating ancient structures with the redheaded protagonist. Residing in Plainsong is the melodic Utaru tribe\u2019s Zo<\/strong>, who, it seems, is also happy to help save her people from the red blight.<\/p>\n However, not everyone in the recent trailer<\/a>\u00a0is friendly. Once again, the morally ambiguous Sylens<\/strong> is stirring up trouble by aiding Forbidden West\u2019s new antagonist: Regalla<\/strong>. She leads a band of \u201crebels\u201d and is looking to settle some scores now that she has the power to control machines. This rebellious group is just one faction of the Tenakth tribe, the other members of which, like Kotallo<\/strong>, we\u2019ll meet in the Clan Lands.<\/p>\n Perhaps the most intriguing recent character tease is Tilda<\/strong>. Appearing only for a moment and with no dialogue, Tilda\u2019s striking, futuristic look sets her apart. And, judging from comments<\/a> by actor Carrie-Anne Moss who voices the character, she may not be a trustworthy ally.<\/p>\n Returning to Horizon Forbidden West are the machines that resemble anything from deer to Tyrannosaurus Rex. Of course, this new entry has an array of new mechanical creatures for Aloy to contend with, which Game Informer<\/em> rounded up<\/a> back in December. These include the oversized armadillos called Rollerbacks<\/strong>, svelte Burrowers<\/strong>, boar-like Bristlebacks<\/strong>, mechanical monkeys named Clamberjaws<\/strong>, towering Tremortusks<\/strong>, Velociraptor-inspired Clawstrider<\/strong>, massive turtle-esque Shellsnappers<\/strong>, underwater hunter Tideripper<\/strong>, and the machine-version of a Pterodactyl, Sunwings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Guerrilla Games also took special care to shine\u00a0the spotlight on one of its most fearsome newcomers, the Slitherfang<\/strong><\/a>, which spits poison and shoots lightning from its tail. Why did it have to be snakes?<\/p>\n For the sequel, the developers want to focus more on settlements, giving players more reason to explore them. That includes hanging out at the local watering hole and perhaps playing a round or two of Machine Strike<\/strong>, Forbidden West\u2019s in-game board game. Players can also look forward to testing their mettle in the Arena<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll attempt to defeat waves of hostile machines. As part of our cover story on the game, Game Informer<\/em> got exclusive shots<\/a> of the Daunt<\/strong>, an arid canyon under Carja control, and we\u2019ve also seen a bustling Oseram city called Chainscrape<\/strong>, but\u00a0there are bound to be many more locales as Aloy heads west.<\/p>\n Possibly the most recognizable landmark we\u2019ve seen in the sequel so far is San Francisco\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0Golden Gate Bridge. And we saw\u00a0a great deal more of the city\u2019s sights in last year\u2019s gameplay reveal, which featured a water-logged Lombard Street, a crumbling Transamerica Pyramid, and even several decayed cable cars. You\u2019ll be able to climb any of these with the game\u2019s new free-climbing<\/strong> feature. It was also here that we saw Aloy dive into an explorable underwater<\/strong> environment for the first time, which we hope to see more of throughout the game.<\/p>\n The Forbidden West\u2019s geography, closely mirroring the United States west of Utah, boasts almost every imaginable climate. From snowy peaks<\/strong> and rugged deserts<\/strong> to sandy beaches<\/strong> and lush wilderness<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n To navigate both the hostile terrain and machines, Aloy added\u00a0a few new items to her tool belt. A breathing apparatus<\/strong> lets her swim underwater with ease. A futuristic-looking glider<\/strong> allows Aloy to float between structures or above combat. And a mechanized grappling hook<\/strong> makes scaling heights a breeze. Narrative director Ben McCaw explains these gadgets in more detail in a Sony Blog<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pullcaster speeds up climbing, getting her quickly out of trouble; the Shieldwing allows her to safely descend from great heights (or surprise enemies from above); and with the Diving Mask, a whole new underwater world is open for exploration. Not to mention big upgrades to her Focus, which now shows areas that allow free-climbing and gives her the ability to override more machines for mounts or combat.\u201d <\/p>\n Mix a round of new deadly weapons, like grenades that stick to enemies and spike launchers, with fresh wardrobe options, and Aloy is ready to take down any foes the Forbidden West can throw at her.<\/p>\n Your primary melee weapon in Zero Dawn, the spear, was notably less effective in battle than any other weapon. To combat this problem, the developers, as discussed in an interview<\/a> with Game Informer<\/em> editor Kim Wallace, have totally reworked the game\u2019s skill tree<\/strong> to support different play styles. Valor Surge<\/strong> abilities, which can be unlocked on the skill tree, are another exciting addition. Players can activate these\u00a0superpowered moves after filling bars on the screen by playing \u201ctactically.\u201d This includes landing perfect headshots and knocking components from machines. You can also find new combos<\/strong> for hand-to-hand combat in the revamped system.\u00a0<\/p>\n Not limited to just combat, Aloy is learning additional ways to craft at workbenches<\/strong>. Now able to track parts needed for making new gear, the expanded and settlement-based crafting process gives players a reason to visit major city centers during their journey.<\/p>\n Initially expected to release in 2021<\/a>, Horizon Forbidden West is set to launch on\u00a0February 18<\/strong> on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/everything-we-know-about-horizon-forbidden-west-2.jpg\")
<\/article>\nOld Pals And New Foes<\/h2>\n
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<\/article>\nRobotic Dangers<\/h2>\n
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<\/article>\nTreading New Ground<\/h2>\n
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<\/article>\nGrowing Inventory<\/h2>\n
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<\/article>\nNew Tricks Up Her Sleeve<\/h2>\n
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<\/article>\nRelease Date<\/h2>\n