Guerrilla Shares More Info on Horizon Forbidden West

Guerilla Games aiming for a 2021 release

In a video posted to the official PlayStation Youtube channel, Horizon Forbidden West developer Guerrilla Games have revealed some more information about the upcoming PS5 exclusive.

Game Director Mathijs De Jonge stepped in front of the camera to offer up some tasty details on the much-anticipated sequel to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn.

In the video, Mathijs tells us that the Forbidden West in the title of the game is a whole new frontier. This new frontier stretches from Utah all the way to the Pacific Ocean in the west. That’s a pretty decent chunk of real estate and Mathijs confirms in the video that the Horizon Forbidden West map will be a bit bigger than it’s predecessor.

Speaking in the video, Mathijs says that they wanted to make the world so beautiful that you “just want to be there.” And with the power of PlayStation 5, Guerilla have managed to make the game world more detailed, vibrant and immersive.

In her quest through the forbidden west, Aloy will discover stunning valleys, deserts and ruined cities full of iconic landmarks Mathijs explains. From the trailer and screenshots I have seen so far, the world certainly does look stunningly beautiful.

Virtually no loading screens

It sounds like Guerilla has utilised the power of the PS5 to its full potential as Mathijs explains that there will be virtually no loading screens.  And thanks to the power fo the PS5’s SSD, fast travelling from one end of the map to the other or restarting from a checkpoint will be super-fast. And when you boot up the game, there will be no waiting around, you will be right in the thick of the action before you can say giant turtle machine.

Horizon Forbidden West new machines

On the subject of machines, Mathijs explains that the Forbidden West is home to a large variety of machines. Even going as far as to reveal the names of some of them.

Horizon Forbidden West Shelsnapper
The Shell Snapper

You’ll remember the massive turtle looking machine from the reveal trailer that looked like it had half a forest on it’s back. This mean-looking machine is called a Shell Snapper. Shell Snapper’s guard shores and swamp areas.

Horizon Forbidden West SUn WIng machine
The Sun Wing Machine

There is also the Sun WIng. The huge flying machine will patrol the skies above the Forbidden West.

Horizon Forbidden West Tremor Tusk
The Tremor Tusk

Next, there is the huge Wooly Mammoth looking machine that we first saw in the reveal trailer. This terrifying-looking machine is called the Tremor Tusk. The Tremor Tusk is loaded with weapons and is covered in plate armour. Mathijs explains in the video that these machines are dangerous when encountered in the wild. But even more dangerous when outfitted by the hostile tribes who use it in battle.

There will be dozens of new machines to discover in Horizon Forbidden west and each of these machines will need to scanned and studied so that Aloy can fight them efficiently.

The Forbidden West will also be home to new tribes. Some are peaceful and friendly but some are hostile. Mathijs explains that one fo the hostile tribes has discovered how to override machines and use them in combat.

Collapsing Biosphere

The new terrifyingly large machines and hostile tribes aren’t the only threat in Horizon Forbidden West Though. As Mathijs explains, there is also a threat of environmental proportions that Aloy will have to overcome.

Horizon Forbidden West red blight
A Red Blight infects the lands of the Forbidden West

The lands of the Forbidden West have a collapsing biosphere. A Red Blight infects the lands, choking wildlife and starving animals, plantlife and tribes. The weather has also completely spiralled out of control, generating massive storms which flood the canyons and fields of the Forbidden West. Aloy will have to go to great lengths to save the world.

Aiming for a 2021 release

Some fantastic information about Horizon Forbidden West in the video. I can’t wait to play this game and see how absolutely stunning it looks on the PS5. But perhaps a bit of bad news though if you were hoping Horizon Forbidden West would launch alongside the PS5 this holiday.

Mathijs explains that the team at Guerilla Games are working very hard on the game to create a worthy sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. A sequel that will appeal to fans of the first game as well as bringing in new players to the franchise.

Mathijs says that they are aiming to release the game next year in 2021.

A bit of bad news if you were hoping to get your hands on Horizon Forbidden West this holiday. No matter when the game releases, Horizon Forbidden West will be a game worth waiting for. and you know the old saying, all good things come to those who wait.

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