It has been slightly over five months since the release of Guerilla Games' Horizon Forbidden West on February 18. This title is a sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, a critically acclaimed open-world action-adventure RPG. Although Forbidden West was positively received by fans, many have stated that the game does not innovate on the series. Gamers claim that Forbidden West is a copy of Zero Dawn with new enemies and a bigger world, which makes the sequel feel stale and uninteresting.

Currently, the Horizon series' main gameplay aspect is machine hunting. Aloy utilizes her tribal skills along with her smart chip device, the Focus, to take down robotic beasts and harvest their body for parts and upgrades. It is true that Forbidden West has improved on Zero Dawn's story and world-building, but its fighting system remains the same. Apart from a few new weapons and machines, Guerilla Games did not attempt to upgrade the mechanics. Hence, to ensure a successful third sequel, Horizon should take a page from Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise.

Horizon Needs More Weapon VarietyHorizon Forbidden West Best Weapons Featured

Monster Hunter introduces 14 different weapons fit for every type of gamer and playstyle. From the basic sword and shield to the mobile acrobatic insect glaive, the game ensures that its weapon classes are uniquely different from each other while providing interesting movement options and in-depth combos. In comparison, Aloy relies on her bow and its different variations along with her spear to defeat foes. Despite some minor alterations unlocked, later on, Horizon Forbidden West's killing instruments and combos remain the same from start to finish.

Guerilla Games Should Introduce Additional Beasts

Games Horizon Forbidden West TremorTusks

In a video game about hunting monsters, Monster Hunter continuously explores interesting beast types and pits them against players to keep things interesting. Additionally, the game's encyclopedia encourages gamers to hunt a variety of monsters and alter their builds. To Guerilla Games' credit, Horizon Forbidden West advanced the series with a dozen new machines. Unfortunately, they aren't all that different from the previous entry's machines. Horizon Forbidden West's enemies are a variety of mechanical dinosaurs, birds, and wolves, while Monster Hunter's acid-spitting lizards, freezing arctic birds, and magma dragons are creatively refreshing.

Aloy Should Learn to Utilize Traps

Horizon Forbidden West trap

The current trap mechanics in Horizon Forbidden West are woefully simple. Aloy uses her tripcaster to plant two rods on the ground attached by a rope which serves to stun her enemies or blow them up. Since this weapon can be unreliable, players often skip using it entirely or use it mid-combat for a quick stun, which undermines its identity as a trap. For Monster Hunter, traps require knowledge and careful planning from the player to make them viable. From bombs to fireworks and pitfalls, Monster Hunter gives gamers various tools to shock, sleep, or blind monsters, trapping them efficiently.

A New Pet Companion Would Improve Horizon's Traversal

Horizon Forbidden West override

Monster Hunter is widely recognized for its adorable Palico feline species. They occupy the world of the game as beneficial NPCs, shopkeepers, and support characters that aid players during hunting trips with healing and buffs. Interestingly, with the recent release of Monster Hunter Rise, the game also introduced a new ridable companion dog called the Palamute that equally assists hunters. Through these pets, players gain companionship and become invested in upgrading their pets' armor and gear. Meanwhile, Horizon's only form of companionship is acquired through the override mechanic, which allows Aloy to hack machines to temporarily fight for her or give her a ride. Since the world of Horizon Forbidden West is vast, the game could introduce a more endearing pet to make world exploration less tedious and lonely.

Although Horizon Forbidden West successfully expanded the Horizon world, it did not explore creative directions nor alter the series' mechanics. For the next sequel and spinoffs, Guerilla Games should adjust their scope and focus on the overall combat of the Horizon series. By taking inspiration from Monster Hunter, the studio can learn more about weapon variety, in-depth combat, and interesting opponents to utilize.