Horizon Forbidden West may not be arriving until 2022, but Guerrilla Games still plans to reveal details about the hotly anticipated PlayStation exclusive up until launch. That includes unveiling expected content reveals like Horizon Forbidden West's new setting, but also unexpected changes or additions, too. The latest example could have a meaningful impact on how Horizon Forbidden West is played, as Guerrilla says it will be attaching skills to the game's outfits for Aloy.
In a lengthy post shared on the official PlayStation Blog, Guerrilla Community Lead Bo de Vries introduces the change without giving away too much detail. In Horizon Forbidden West, players will be able to select different outfits for protagonist Aloy, similar to Horizon Zero Dawn. However, in Horizon Forbidden West outfits will have what Guerrilla describes as "skills." These skills will augment Aloy's abilities in different ways.
Further, de Vries explains that players in Horizon Forbidden West will be able to "maximize" skills through progression. This process happens through a "new and improved Skill Tree," which de Vries decides not to elaborate further on at this point in time. Horizon Zero Dawn also has a Skills Tree, separated into four sections: Prowler, Brave, Forager, and Traveler (introduced in The Frozen Wilds expansion). Skills are gained by earning Skill Points through leveling up via fighting enemies and completing quests/activities.
There's obviously a lot left to the imagination by de Vries' description. On one hand, they confirm that Horizon Forbidden West will feature a Skill Tree like in the original game. On the other hand, exactly what Guerrilla means by outfits having attached skills that can boost abilities is entirely unclear. For example, it could mean that certain outfits unlock entirely new abilities separate from the Skill Tree's skills, or it could mean altering skills from the Skill tree so they're more powerful or offer different utility.
Regardless of how outfit skills work, it's a much more intriguing system than what was in Horizon Zero Dawn on paper. Horizon Zero Dawn outfits offered up different resistances, including separate ranged and melee attack defenses, as well as defense against fire, ice, shock, and corruption. Outfits also influence a player's stealth. It's possible Horizon Forbidden West's outfits will have these stats in addition to its skills, of course, but skills seem like much more involved of a mechanic.
It just goes to show that Guerrilla is reevaluating many of Horizon Zero Dawn's gameplay mechanics for the development of its sequel. It'll be exciting to see what other ways Guerrilla is working to make Horizon Forbidden West a more interesting, involved gameplay experience.
Horizon Forbidden West releases February 18, 2022, on PS4 and PS5.