Everything You Need to Know About 'Horizon Forbidden West'

This sequel marks the return of Aloy, who's a young huntress that owes her loyalties to the Nora Tribe. Aloy is placed in command of a new band of companions as she takes a journey to a new frontier called the "Forbidden West," which is contained within the western United States (which includes Utah, California, and Nevada). When she finally makes her way there, Aloy discovers the ever-present danger of a dangerous plague, vicious thunderstorms, new human threats in the form of nomadic raiders, and newly discovered machines. Fans of the first game will be happy to know that the list of returning faces for this sequel includes Erend, Sylens, and Petra Forgewoman.

Horizon Forbidden West will feature over 40 machines that are a mixture of returning ones and entirely new robotic animals. As far as familiar machines go, players will once again encounter Bellowbacks, Thunderjaws, Stalkers, Sawtooths, etc. As far as new robotic animals go, check out the list featured below to see the type of fresh creatures you'll run into and try your hardest to tame:

• Bristleback (Warthog)
• Burrower (Otter)
• Clamberjaw (Baboon)
• Clawstrider (Dromaeosaur)
• Rollerback (Pangolin)
• Shellsnapper (Snapping Turtle)
• Slitherfang (Cobra)
• Sunwing (Pterosaur)
• Tideripper (Plesiosaur)
• Tremortusk (Mammoth)

Older machines will come with updated behaviors, plus the machines you manage to override can be used to your advantage as you can utilize the different stances they're capable of entering into.

Just like the first game, Aloy will be able to venture through a massive open world. And this time, the expanse she'll be able to explore is much larger than the one featured in Horizon Zero Dawn. As she discovers new biomes during her newfound journey, Aloy will also come into contact with hidden ruins that contain the buried secrets of the "Old Ones." Aloy's arsenal still includes her trusty bow & arrow, plus she can still pull off melee maneuvers and lay down traps for her robotic & human foes.

Speaking of weapons, players now have the ability to upgrade Aloy's tools at workbenches. When it comes to her varied outfit options, they'll actually afford her new specific skills. Aloy's upgradable skill tree is now split into the following six categories - Warrior (Melee), Trapper (Placing/Disarming Traps), Hunter (Ranged Weaponry), Survivor (Health & Resources), Infiltrator (Stealth), and Machine Master (Hacking). One of the biggest gameplay changes in Horizon Forbidden West is Aloy's new affinity for underwater exploration within seas, lakes, and rivers. Another new gameplay feature is Aloy's "Focus" ability now being capable of highlighting environmental climbing and grapple points.