Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn did a lot well when it released in 2017. It had a fleshed-out open world, a compelling protagonist, and solid action RPG gameplay. One of the game's most defining aspects was its machine-animal hybrids that roamed the plains, serving as enemies to conquer or as peaceful beasts with some utility — the "Tallneck" giraffes standing out given Aloy could use them to unlock portions of her map similar to the Sheikah Towers from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. With Horizon: Forbidden West confirmed for the PlayStation 5, there are a lot more possibilities for this concept to shine.
The Horizon: Forbidden West trailer shown during the PS5 reveal event gave players a glimpse into some of the sequel's new machines: Large snapping turtles and villainous mammoths among them. Knowing the game will be set in San Francisco from the overgrown Golden Gate Bridge Aloy rides by, and that it will have underwater segments opens up a lot of unique niches for animals to fit into. So, in no particular order, here are some animals that would be cool to see.
Seagulls
The PS5 event trailer shows pelicans catching fish, but if there are any avian creatures that define bay-side cities like San Francisco, it would be the majestic seagull. While a seagull may not be as flashy as hulking mammoths, they could offer some interesting gameplay opportunities.
Horizon Zero Dawn has a number of resources to collect, from animal meat to parts like wires. Seagulls, as with many other birds, are attracted to shiny objects and would make for an apt scavenger to steal parts — a smaller, more docile variant of the Glinthawk perhaps. How satisfying would it be to gain control of a seagull and use them to steal hordes of treasure from a hidden nest?
Lions
Another well-known landmark in San Francisco is the San Francisco Zoo. If elephants are being added into Horizon: Forbidden West, there's no to reason not go a step further and add lions too. Like real lions, a mechanized version could come in multiple forms, with more feminine builds gathering in prides around a more aggressive machine with a large mane. There could even be in-game explanations for this symbiosis, such as the mane being comprised of solar panels that allow the alpha to act as a charging station for the rest.
On top of that, with the T-Rex styled Thunderjaws already in the series, the developers are one step away from recreating that cool scene at the end of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Having the king of the animal kingdom meet the king of the dinosaurs is still an inspired idea.
Giant Clams
Moving onto some underwater-specific creatures, another option with multiple choices as to how they could be handled is clams. Anyone who played Nintendo games in the N64 era knows there are at least two ways to use these mollusks. Horizon: Forbidden West could take the Mario 64 approach by having static environmental set-pieces that have items inside their shells waiting to be collected. Alternatively, it could take the Ocarina of Time approach by having an aggressive clam strike in close-quarter environments like the hallways of the Water Temple.
Dolphins
One mechanic not utilized nearly enough in Horizon Zero Dawn was the mounting system, in which Aloy could hack into certain machines such as the Chargers to get around faster. She's even seen riding one of the goat-like robots when she first appears in the sequel's trailer.One of the ways Forbidden West could improve over the original is by overhauling this system and adding more options. What better choice would there be for an underwater mount than a dolphin?
Anteaters
Of all the animals on this list, an anteater is perhaps the most bizarre. However, its potential conception could be a perfect way to reference another series: Pokemon.
The Unova Region from Pokemon's Generation 5 is currently having a resurgence thanks to new releases in Niantic's AR mobile game Pokemon GO. One monster that deserves more love is Heatmor, a fire-spitting anteater that uses its flames to melt into the steel bodies of Durants. Imagine that idea brought into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn by giving Aloy access to small, mobile flamethrowers she can use to pierce the shells of more imposing beasts.
Whales
It's hard to imagine underwater gameplay without including one of nature's largest, most impressive animals. Capcom's Monster Hunter 3, though lacking in good underwater combat controls, demonstrates the value of spectacularly large creatures to discover beneath the waves. Horizon Zero Dawn already crossed over with Monster Hunter World, so clearly cross-pollination is possible. There could be fun story beats to a "rule of threes" encounter in which Aloy enjoys the company of docile blue whales before coming across a hostile killer whale that turns the tables.
Bats
Returning to the air, another fun mechanic Guerrilla Games could play with is echolocation. With rumors of a potential Daredevil game dispelled by Marvel's Bill Rosemann, there's room for Horizon: Forbidden West to capitalize by having Aloy need to traverse dark locales using the assistance of a robotic bat. The idea may synergize well with overgrown, dilapidated skyscrapers or even a visit to the ruins on Alcatraz Island. Alternatively, Aloy could have to take on a terrifying swarm of robot bats. It's an enemy type also seen in games like Breath of the Wild, so there is precedent to build upon.
Spiders
Spiders are another creature that would fit into darker environments. They could present a new environmental hazard to Aloy in the form of webs. These may be webs in a traditional sense, meant to slow players down as in titles like Minecraft, or there could be a mechanical twist by making the webs razor-thin wires that would require careful traversal at risk of damage. There are few things that get under people's skin quite like spiders, and rampant arachnophobia may add a tense twist to Horizon's gameplay if handled properly.
Snakes
Garden-variety snakes are all fine and good, but if encounters like the Great Serpent from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have taught the industry anything, it's that huge snake encounters are always a great spectacle to behold. Monster Hunter has a history of serpent battles too, be they the large half-wyvern Najarala or the incomprehensibly gargantuan Dalamadur. Imagining those scales replaced with metal plates makes for a tantalizing prospective fight, to say the least.
Gorillas
Last but not least, a great ape is one of the most widely-recognizable animals that has not been represented in the universe of Horizon Zero Dawn — despite how obvious the connection by proxy of its developer's name may seem in hindsight. The combative capabilities of a gorilla's upper-body strength could be bolstered by mechanisms like pistons to make for a devastating enemy. There is also precedent in popular culture for monkeys to be found attacking cities, from the early days of King Kong to 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes that features a takeover of San Francisco.
No matter what new animals Guerrilla Games adds into Horizon: Forbidden West, the studio's track record suggests it will all come out better on the other end after receiving the Horizon treatment. Only time will tell how many new beasts players will get to appreciate and battle in this long-anticipated sequel.
Horizon: Forbidden West is in development for the PlayStation 5.