Horizon Zero Dawnwas enjoyed largely for its unique science-fiction setting and the narrative punch it packed as players learned what had caused the earth to become the way it is in the present day. In gameplay, though,Horizon Zero Dawnwas sometimes a little one-note, using a limited set of weapon types and borrowing a lot of open-world trappings from games that released before it.Horizon Forbidden Westthankfully learned from this experience and offered mechanics and features like Machine Strike that were far more engaging, but there is still a lot that theHorizonfranchise could improve.
Horizon Forbidden Westintroduced a mini-game with collection features called Machine Strike, and if fans are familiar withThe Witcher’s Gwent orAssassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Orlog they will know what they are getting themselves into. Strike has players collecting game pieces that each have their own roles on predetermined boards; while surprisingly complicated, it is still a fun distraction from the rest ofHorizon Forbidden World’s open-world activities. Unfortunately, Guerrilla has to make the choice now to either commit to Strike as a feature or abandon it for other features.
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Horizon’s Machine Strike Needs to Be Embedded in Lore
Horizon’s Machine Strikeoriginated from the Tenakth tribe, but that is only occasionally remarked upon and seems to have no real basis in anything presented throughHorizon Forbidden West. If Guerrilla wants to double-down on Strike in futureHorizoninstallments, it would be best to further root it into some aspect of the Tenakth, so long as it has some narrative significance that can help it feel a bit more immersive.
Some fans may not care about where Strike came from, nor may they care where Gwent may have come from inThe Witcherfranchise, but details like this would be great for fans to be able to associate Strike to the overarching world-building and lore established inHorizon. Moreover,Strike is introduced to players by Salma, a woman from the Oseram tribe. If nothing else, it would have been a little more immersive to have an actual Tenakth introduce players to Strike if they created it in the first place.
Horizon’s Machine Strike Has Room to Grow as a Mini-Game
Guerrilla could choose to abandon Machine Strike inHorizon 3, and many players might not even be aware that it is gone. LikeSplatoon 3’s Tableturf Battle, fans had not necessarily purchased the game so that they could spend all their time playing its in-universe card game. Some fans may instead be drawn toward these mini-games in particular, allowing them to wholly consume their playtime. Strike certainly allows for the latter to be true, since it is rather difficult to obtain all Strike pieces early on, making a full collector’s set of pieces a game-long endeavor.
Still, if Strike is dropped hereafter, Guerrilla will have obviously thought that it was not worth the effort and that fans had not been playing Strike enough to warrant its reprisal. This would be unfortunate, since Strike returning inHorizon’s upcoming multiplayer spin-offwould be an excellent transition for the mini-game and potentially allow for players to compete against one another with the pieces they have been able to purchase or collect.
Strike might be more palatable in a spin-off that is not dedicated to narrative-driven progression, but only time will tell if Guerrilla considers it a good fit for aHorizon Forbidden Westsequel mechanic. Otherwise, fans might be content withHorizonsticking to itsMonster Hunter-esque machine battles and traversal improvements.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available now on PS4 and PS5.
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