There has been a robust promotional period for Horizon Forbidden West, and a comprehensive story trailer is just one of the latest primers for players heading into the uncharted region. Following the end of Horizon Zero Dawn's story, and the game's success on both PlayStation 4 and PC, a direct sequel was all but assured. Aloy will reprise her role as something of a chosen hero in Horizon Forbidden West, attempting to once again stop an extinction-level event from unfolding.
The first Horizon game came out nearly five years ago and was met with mostly favorable reviews. Developer Guerrilla Games was previously known primarily for the Killzone franchise, a rather linear first-person shooter series. Zero Dawn was Guerrilla's first attempt at a third-person, open world action-adventure game, and it certainly impressed as a first outing. While many had issues with the game's climbing mechanics and the depth of its numerous side characters, the game's combat and narrative were notable high points.
Zero Dawn's formula is getting a face-lift through Horizon Forbidden West's new gameplay features and a different explorable area. Whereas Zero Dawn took place in the 31st century version of what used to be known as the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, Forbidden West is taking Aloy to the eponymous region which spans post-post-apocalyptic California, Nevada, and other parts of Utah. The latest trailer, which is viewable on YouTube courtesy of PlayStation, reintroduces the immediate problem facing Aloy, teases the game's characters and conflicts, and hints at another mystery poised to be unraveled.
The Red Blight Is Ravaging The Forbidden West
The beginning of the new story trailer reminds viewers of Aloy's immediate concern, a Red Blight which is wreaking havoc on Horizon Forbidden West's environments and towns. Amidst shots of dying crops and violent weather phenomenon, Aloy's voice over states, "The land is dying. People are suffering. Soon they'll starve." Finding a solution to this plague appears to be Aloy's primary reason for venturing to the Forbidden West. The situation has clearly turned urgent, since Aloy says, "I'm running out of time, Elisabet," though it's unclear why or how she's addressing the long dead woman Aloy was cloned from. On top of this ecological disaster, machines that were once relatively harmless continue to turn increasingly violent from the Derangement, a measure taken by an AI in reaction to humans hunting the machines.
The Forbidden West Has New & Old Conflicts
Though plenty of characters are reprising their roles, Horizon Forbidden West's story connects to the original primarily through Sylens, who has ingratiated himself in the tribal politics of the Forbidden West. Sylens was something of a puppet master in service to the HADES AI in Zero Dawn, leading the Eclipse in a ruse to reactivate the Faro Plague and exterminate organic life once again. Following the defeat of HADES and the Eclipse, Sylens has apparently taken his talents to the Forbidden West, where he has begun instructing a rebellious clan in the art of overriding machines.
While the Utaru tribe appeals to a higher power through song for a cure to the Red Blight, the Tenakth are descending toward open warfare once again. In a trailer teasing Horizon Forbidden West's world, it was revealed that an uneasy truce between Tenakth clans is in peril amidst the rise of Regalla's rebels. Seeking revenge for unspecified slights, Regalla has welcomed Sylens' machines and technological knowledge into her war effort against both the Tenakth and the Carja. Although HADES was destroyed, Sylens appears to have discovered more treacherous uses for the Old Ones' creations, and is aiding Regalla in pursuit of unknown goals.
Aloy Isn't Alone In The Forbidden West
Aloy won't be alone in her mission to the Forbidden West, and the story trailer teases allies both new and old. It's heavily implied that Aloy will play a part in trying to unite the Tenakth tribes against Regalla, even though "In the west, war is the rule" according to Kotallo, a character Guerrilla Games spoke to Game Informer about. Kotallo of the Tenakth, Alva from the Utaru, and Zo from an unknown tribe will all help Aloy in various ways during her journey. Some returning characters in Horizon Forbidden West will similarly offer help along the way. Erend and Varl are seen in the new story trailer refusing to be left behind, and Talanah, Sunhawk of the Carja Hunters Lodge, is set to play a significant role. Aloy may feel as though she's the only one that can stop Sylens, Regalla, and the Red Blight, but there's sure to be a wide cast of side characters willing to help in Forbidden West.
The Mysteries Of The Old Ones Continue In Horizon Forbidden West
Following the Horizon Forbidden West title card near the end of the trailer, a voice confirmed by Guerrilla Games to be GAIA (the AI which ran Project Zero Dawn) warns Aloy of another, exceptionally mysterious party. A holographic depiction of GAIA is shown right before Aloy comes face-to-face with the character pictured above, who is dressed in fashionably futuristic garb. Guerrilla told Game Informer that this character is named Tilda, and is played by Carrie-Ann Moss. Unfortunately both the developer and the actor have been extremely tight-lipped on who Tilda is or what she wants. Moss mentions her being manipulative, and with GAIA's lines in the story trailer - "We will find the answers. But beware. We're not the only ones who seek them." - Tilda seems to be a major part of the game's overarching mystery.
Horizon Forbidden West is confirmed to have one ending, rather than a branching narrative, and the reveal of Tilda seems to be a nod toward where the game is ultimately heading outside of the region's various other problems. The game's incredible file size, rumored to be over 100 gigabytes on PlayStation 5, indicates it may be significantly longer than its predecessor. If that turns out to be true, there is likely plenty for players to discover even with the massive amount of pre-release information Guerrilla Games and Sony have put out for Horizon Forbidden West.
Sources: Game Informer, PlayStation/YouTube