Guerrilla Games is still eager to explore the world of the Horizon franchise, though it is not clear that Aloy will always be a part of it. Aloy is a powerful heroine that is brave, loyal and has undying perseverance. Consequently, it will take a standout character to fill her boots. There have been a couple of candidates revealed already, including Varl and Zo's child, who is introduced in Horizon Forbidden West, and they have the potential to be a great warrior, especially if they are mentored by Aloy.
Varl and Zo child isn't the only qualified candidate, however. The studio has already been experimenting with a Horizon title without Aloy through Horizon: Call of the Mountain, which is a spin-off VR title that will focus on a former Shadow Carja warrior named Ryas. Future spin-off games could also star Talanah, the brave warrior who has already played a large role in the Horizon comic book series, and she continues to show her skills in Horizon Forbidden West.
Aloy and Horizon's Future
Since its beginning, the Horizon franchise has been centered on Aloy, and she has done a good job as a protagonist. Her early life is a tough one, as she is an outcast, which results in her receiving cruel treatment from the Nora children. Fortunately, Rost the outcast is around to raise her. Despite the adversity she faces, Aloy does not lose faith in herself, and she continues to believe in her ability to do good. Since she has been revealed to the world, Aloy has enjoyed massive popularity, and she has become a gaming icon and a beloved heroine.
Although Guerrilla Games greatly values Aloy, it appears that the studio is willing to explore the world of Horizon without her. Gamers will get their first taste of this with Horizon: Call of the Mountain which will bring the series to the VR realm. Ryas will serve as the game's protagonist, and he is a former Shadow Carja warrior who is investigating a new threat to the Sundom. Though not much has been revealed about him yet, it has been shown that he will wield a bow, and he will be just as agile and adventurous as Aloy.
A Potential Successor for Aloy
The next game in the Horizon series will likely feature Aloy as the protagonist, as she and GAIA still have plenty to do. However, it could lay the groundwork for a successor to take the reins of the series after the trilogy is completed. There are a few characters that could fill her big shoes, and most Horizon fans will immediately think of Talanah, the brave warrior who rises the ranks to become the leader of the Carja Hunters Lodge. She would be ready for the job, as she has proven herself to be daring and willing to take on any challenge, and much like Aloy, she would be an admirable heroine to serve as the face of the series.
Although Talanah would be a good fit, there is another character that could serve as Aloy's replacement - Varl's child. Gamers are introduced to Varl in Horizon Zero Dawn, and he becomes a good friend to Aloy. He is from the Nora tribe, and he accompanies Aloy when she embarks toward the Forbidden West. Whenever he can, he tries to protect her, though he eventually realizes that it is impossible to always shield an independent spirit like her. In Horizon Forbidden West, he meets Zo, who is an Utaru gravesinger. Zo also helps Aloy on her quest, and a relationship blossoms between her and Varl.
During a dangerous mission, Varl tries his hardest to protect Beta, who is another clone of Elisabeth Sobeck. Though he tries his hardest, he is eventually killed by Erik Visser, who is one of the Far Zeniths. His death is devastating to everyone who knew him, and to honor his life, a grave is erected for him near the Base. Naturally, Zo is grief-stricken, and her pain is only amplified by the fact that she is pregnant with his child, and she never had the opportunity to tell him before his death.
Horizon - What Happens Next?
Horizon Forbidden West ends with Aloy choosing not to take up Tilde van der Meer's offer to abandon Earth. Though she has dealt with the Far Zeniths, she still has to prepare for a new threat that will come in the form of Nemesis, a corrupted AI entity that is on its way to Earth to wreak destruction. It will be Aloy's greatest battle yet, but she has good friends like Erend and Kotallo around to lend her a helping hand. Though the odds are against her, she has never been one to back down from a challenge.
Varl's child has not been seen yet, nor have they received a name. However, they will be born into a complicated situation, as they will have both Nora and Utaru roots. By the time Varl and Zo's child is old enough to be a warrior, Aloy will have likely dealt with Nemesis' incoming threat, though that does not mean that all will be well for Earth after that, and plenty more dangers could arise. With Aloy as a mentor, the child could grow up to become a valiant warrior capable of following in her footsteps, although after Varl's death, the child may also find themselves heavily shielded from the world by Zo.
The introduction of Varl and Zo's child likely wasn't done on a whim, and Guerrilla Games probably has plans for the character. With their father deceased, their life will begin with tragedy, although Aloy and her friends will likely serve as a good family. Though the Horizon franchise's future remains a mystery, it has the potential to endure for a long time thanks to its strong cast of characters.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.