Horizon Forbidden West expands upon the tribal inhabitants of Earth that began in the first game, Horizon Zero Dawn. In Horizon Forbidden West, humanity has returned to a tribal-like state due to the Faro Plague - the destruction of all biological life via the Chariot line of automated war robots built in the mid-21st century. The first generation of new humans born through Project Zero Dawn eventually splintered into the tribes featured across both games.
Forbidden West features different tribes, both new and previously mentioned, such as the Utaru, Tenakth, and Quen. However, the introduction of the Far Zeniths - rich and powerful humans from a pre-destroyed Earth - and Nemesis ramped up danger in the sequel. While the Zenith threat is dealt with, Nemesis - a sentient AI consisting of the uploaded minds of the Zeniths - looms ever closer. It will take all the tribes united to have a chance to defeat the coming AI.
Horizon Forbidden West as a Coming Together Story
Horizon Zero Dawn clarified that the Nora, Carja, Oseram, and Banuk tribes hailed from the ELEUTHIA-9 Cradle Facility in All-Mother Mountain in Colorado. The discovery of Old World texts eventually led to the groups splintering, with exiles becoming the Carja who eventually founded Meridian. Over time, the Banuk and Oseram formed their tribal societies, leaving the Nora at All-Mother Mountain.
The tribes have existed for centuries, united only by their need to hunt deadlier Machines. With the threat of an all-powerful sentient AI called Nemesis racing toward Earth, it will make an excellent coming-together story to see the tribes unite against an existential threat. Historical documents and literature teach that ignoring such threats and focusing on petty squabbles leads to doom, so if the tribes can put aside all conflict and fight Nemesis, there may be a chance they will prevail.
All Tribes' Strengths May Be the Key to Success Against Nemesis
Surviving Nemesis may be possible if the attributes of all tribes are examined and their strengths are taken into account. The Nora and Tenakth are notoriously fierce, brave, and deadly fighters - with the Nora being called residents of the Savage East and the Tenakth rumored to drink the blood of their enemies. The Banuk, who amass skilled and brutal warriors, also have shamans that can tame Machines akin to Aloy's override tool.
Meanwhile, the Carja are skilled architects and the Oseram are tinkers, delvers, and engineers who discover Old World technology and can reinvent many facets of it. Together they could reinvent Old World weaponry and defenses as fortifications that may stave off some of Nemesis' attacks. This can only be enhanced with the introduction of the Quen, the most technologically advanced tribe with access to Focuses from the 2030s.
While Nemesis has the collective brain power of all the Zeniths, it came to be hundreds of years after the destruction of Earth. Nemesis may be an intelligent and advanced technological marvel, but having the tribes united to share the strengths of their technology, engineering, architecture, and soldiers alongside Old World technology could be capable of overcoming anything Nemesis has at its disposal.
Horizon Forbidden West introduced players to an existential threat, and with Nemesis' course set for Earth to destroy anything the Zeniths valued, it will take all the tribes featured across the Horizon franchise - and likely more - to have a chance at overcoming the imminent danger. To do this would create an incredible coming-together story utilizing the strengths each tribe has been associated with, and it seems like the perfect direction for this franchise to take now.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.