The next entry in Guerrilla Games' Horizon franchise will be Horizon Call of the Mountain, a spin-off title that will release on PS VR2. Interestingly, the game's protagonist will not be Aloy, and the game will instead set its sights on a new character. This is an unexpected move from the studio, as Aloy's presence is a sure-fire way to draw fans, though it may be the case that the game is the studio's way of feeling out how successful the series could be without its usual heroine.
Sony's PS VR2 is scheduled to release in 2023, and there are already a few games that are confirmed for the headset, including Resident Evil Village and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners - Chapter 2: Retribution. Horizon Forbidden West, despite being cross-generational, is a stunning showcase of the PS5's potential, and Call of the Mountain could potentially do the same for the upcoming headset.
Horizon Call of the Mountain and Ryas
The Horizon franchise will be entering the world of virtual reality with Horizon Call of the Mountain, which is one of the most anticipated games on Sony's upcoming headset. It will be mind-blowing to experience the wild world of Horizon in VR, but it won't be through the eyes of Aloy. Instead, the game will focus on Ryas, who is a new character. He is a Shadow Carja warrior and is seeking redemption for something, though gamers don't know what for yet. The mysterious character already seems intriguing, and there is likely lots to learn about his past with the Shadow Carja and his road to redemption.
Trailers have revealed that Ryas will be able to use a bow and scale mountains like Aloy, though his narrative will be one unique to him. He has been seen battling with a massive Thunderjaw and taking a leisurely boat ride through a beautiful jungle. Aloy's absence will likely alarm some fans, but it was probably a very deliberate decision made by Guerrilla Games. Aloy's story is a gripping one, but it has to come to an end at some point, though this does not have to spell the end of the franchise. The studio may be testing the waters to see just how much the series could thrive without its red-haired leading lady.
How Horizon Can Survive Without Aloy
Undeniably, Aloy played a significant role in the success of the Horizon franchise. Despite an unpleasant childhood as an outcast, she still has empathy for others and faith in herself. Her resiliency, kindheartedness, and determination are admirable, and she holds a special place in gaming because she is one of a few strong female leads who have not been overly sexualized. In many ways, Horizon owes its success to Aloy, though it is possible to imagine a future for the franchise which doesn't center on her.
Fans of the series got a taste of this with the Horizon comic books which feature Aloy but also place heavy emphasis on Talanah, the leader of the Carja Hunters Lodge. This is notable, as she is the first female to ascend to the position. Like Aloy, Talanah is fierce and confident, and she seldom shies away from a challenge, no matter how big it may be. She demonstrates that captivating plots not focused on Aloy can be featured within the Horizon franchise and that fans can have positive reception to it.
Guerrilla Games has also demonstrated that its ability to write good characters isn't limited to Aloy, as the franchise features several other complex characters that fans have fallen in love with. In Horizon Forbidden West, players encounter Beta, who is also Elisabet Sobeck's clone. Though Beta and Aloy share genetics, their experience turns them into very different women, which leads to complicated interactions between the two. Players are also introduced to Kotallo who loses his arm in battle. He does not let this limit him, and through his experiences, players learn about living with a disability, especially as the character's growth arc is given the complexity it deserves.
The Horizon franchise may be able to thrive without Aloy thanks to the creative open world that Guerrilla Games has created. It blends primitive and sci-fi visual styles, forming a rather unique world that is enchanting to explore. As games go on their quests, they explore an American landscape reclaimed by nature, leading to some gorgeous scenery whether it be snowy mountaintops or streams with glistening surfaces. These picturesque natural environments remind players that Earth is worth saving, regardless of how grim things seem.
As players explore, they will come across varied flora and fauna, though the biggest dangers come from the machines that lurk. With their elemental attacks and bad attitudes, the machines are not to be trifled with. Despite their dangerous ways, they are also gorgeous to observe, and players can be easily mesmerized by a Stormbird flying high or a Thunderjaw marching in the distance. The machines also offer up some pretty engaging gameplay, and players have to chip at their components to take the hunks of metal down. Fortunately, players have plenty of tools at their disposal to craft some clever strategies. Players who prefer stealth can lay traps and tripwires while braver gamers can tackle foes head-on with creative weapons such as the Gauntlet Shredders and the Spike Throwers. With these, players can have heaps of fun regardless of whether they are playing as Aloy or not.
The series is far from over, and the world is so densely detailed that it is easy to zone in on one tribe or character and tell an engrossing tale. Though Aloy has been synonymous with Horizon for years, there may be a future for the franchise without her. Hopefully, her replacement is just as unforgettable.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is in development for the PlayStation VR2.