While Horizon Zero Dawn is a lonely adventure, its sequel is a far more collaborative affair. Horizon Forbidden West has Aloy team up with a handful of characters from the Oseram, Utaru, and Tenakth to fight the wider threat of HADES and the Far Zeniths. Most of the game is still spent exploring solo, but later chapters in the 2022 release find Aloy relying on those she's come to call friends. Zo, Alva, and Kotallo may be new, but Erend, Sylens, and Varl are all returning, and make the game's ambitious story feel all the more comfortable.

While their presence is nice, the harmony is short-lived, and the weight of the world-saving mission is felt when Varl meets his end at the hands of Far Zenith member Erik. It's a tragic plot point in Horizon Forbidden West, contributing massively to Varl's character development. His death doesn't necessarily mean that his impact on the franchise is over, as other games have proven that the untimely demise of a friend can be used for motivation. Varl was more than just a bland NPC, so Aloy and her friends' grief could be a viable plot device for the third game.

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Varl is Essential to Horizon's Humanity

Varl in Horizon Frobidden West

Though Aloy is the series' focal point, Varl is an important part of Horizon Forbidden West's story. He's re-introduced in the second game to act as the player's eyes while Aloy bears the unrelatable weight of saving the world. Initially an annoyance to Aloy, Varl soon becomes a valuable asset as both a friend and a combatant, and his budding romance with Utaru Gravesinger Zo is a delight. He's a loyal, compelling player in Aloy's team, and his friendly aura contrasts the glumness in some parts of the main narrative.

When he's killed by Erik, it's all the more impactful. Kotallo is cold and unapproachable, Erend is often drunk and ham-fisted, and Sylens is self-centered and opportunistic. By contrast, Varl is reliable, polite, and supportive. His relationship with Zo felt natural, and even before his death he proved to be resourceful, selfless, and heroic. These qualities are too fleshed out to not be used for some kind of narrative gain in the third game.

Horizon's Threequel Could Take Cues from Other Games

joel death in the last of us 2 Cropped

A character dying doesn't end their role in the events that unfold thereafter, and plenty of games use death as a way to make their narratives more emotionally impactful. The Last of Us 2's story hinges on the death of Joel and Ellie's thirst for revenge, fueled by overwhelming grief and guilt. When players assume the role of Abby and the goal changes, it feels weaker by comparison. While Varl in Horizon Forbidden West is far less morally gray than Joel, his heroic end has the potential to feed into Aloy's character, softening her interactions and preparing her the grim reality of the task at hand.

Aloy will have to once again save the world by keeping Nemesis at bay, and the next mainline release from Guerrilla will hope to keep fans engrossed in this fight. But the developer shouldn't skip over the tonal potential that Varl's death can provoke. Giving his sacrifice a large place in the story could be the emotional backbone the third game needs.

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Varl Can Still Have an Impact on Horizon

Varl and Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West

Varl may not be around anymore, but his impact on the characters is still present. Aloy saw him as a close friend from home, Erend acknowledged him as a war-buddy, and the Utatu Zo saw him as something more. The decision to make Zo enter the third game pregnant means it's a thread that Guerrilla wants to explore further, and it can't do this without digging back into Varl's story. His legacy in Horizon may be more than just atmospheric.

Now that he's gone, it could have a substantial impact on Aloy and how she handles having friends. The base in Horizon Forbidden West was a new addition that gave Aloy more people to care for, and to rely on. As Varl was with Aloy since the beginning of the game, and earlier in the series, it could substantially impact the way she approaches allies in the next chapter. She's already standoffish and reluctant to ask for help, but now that Varl is gone and all that remains is a touching tribute outside the base, she may alter her mindset and come to reject anyone who wants to offer their assistance again at risk of losing them.

Horizon Forbidden West is available for PS4 and PS5.

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