Horizon Forbidden Westis less than a month from launch, but fans are still learning some precise details of the game’s story and set-up. This sequel will pick up whereHorizon Zero Dawnleft off and follow Aloy as she journeys into a new, forbidden land in a desperate attempt to save her ruined world. According to its narrative director,Horizon Forbidden Westwill face the player with tough moral choices, but these decisions will lead to only one conclusion.
This may not be a surprise to fans, asHorizon Zero Dawncould be compared to a narrative-drivenMonster Huntergame at times. It may make sense for the sequel to be just as focused on narrative, especially sinceHorizon Forbidden Westappears to be preparing to present players with a truly impactful ending. However, the choice to allow the player to make moral decisions that may not influence the ending could be intriguing to gamers.
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Narrative director Benjamin McCaw spoke with the Italian website Everyeye, a conversation that was translated by WCCFTech, and mentioned that, unlike most modern RPGs,Horizon Forbidden Westwill have just a single ending. However, the decisions the players make on the way to that ending may well influence the path that takes them there. It remains to be seen exactly how these choices will manifest inHorizon Forbidden West’s story, but McCaw described them as being quite difficult to make.
Apparently, theHorizon Forbidden Westcampaign is set six months after the ending ofHorizon Zero Dawn.Aloy will still take center stage, making her the glue that binds the game’s cast together. Reportedly, the story will focus on signs of a critical error appearing in the terraforming operation – presumably, the Red Blight that is seen choking wildlife and plant life in trailers. Aloy’s quest to repair the collapsing biosphere will take her deep into the titular Forbidden West in search of a way to stop the impending ecological collapse.
McCaw also noted in his interview thatHorizon Forbidden Westwill touch upon themesof climate change and its impact on the local ecology. In real life, climate change is becoming increasingly well known for causing odd weather patterns and interfering with the migration and habitat of animals. It appears thatHorizon Forbidden Westis already planning to examine these symptoms. However, the animalistic machines that dominate the post-apocalyptic landscape are one of the most memorable aspects of the Horizon franchise, so it will be interesting to see how the changes impact them.
Horizon: Forbidden Westlaunches for PS4 and PS5 on February 18.
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