Though the IP is just a few years old,Horizonhas quickly become one of the most reliable names in the open-world RPG space. Sharing the top of the mountain with the likes ofThe Witcher, The Elder Scrolls, andXenoblade Chronicles, it’s a franchise that has fast become known for its fantastic gameplay, gorgeous setting, and fascinating science fiction storyline set hundreds of years in the future. A third mainline game is expected from developer Guerrilla, as well as plenty of other projects like an online multiplayer game, aHorizonNetflix show, and an MMO.
However, while the series is set to rapidly expand, fans of the first two games will surely have their eyes firmly fixated on the next chapter of Aloy’s story.Burning Shoresgave some insight into how that adventure will unfold, and a narrative choice concerning Aloy’s relationship with Seyka has, puzzlingly, been met with some negative reception despite being a source of so much of the DLC’s emotional value. This has potentially opened up an avenue for more romance in the thirdHorizongame, and it could potentially have a big impact in the story.
RELATED:Why Aloy May Not Be Horizon’s Fiercest Heroine
Aloy Needs a Reason to Return to Specific Horizon Areas
ThoughHorizonprotagonist Aloyhas plenty of allies and even more enemies, she has a tendency to leave them abruptly in favor of saving the world. Be it the players' inputs making her quickly move from place to place, to the narrative shedding insight into her somewhat closed and unsociable aura, she’s a character that struggles to form long-standing friendships without a lot of help. It’s one of the things that makes her interesting, but it’s still frustrating to see so many of the compelling character interactions reduced to nothing more than just another side quest or plot device.
Petra is a classic example of this, meeting up with Aloy inChainscrape inHorizon Forbidden West,Petrais an instantly likable character who has chemistry with Aloy from the off. She’s a character whom Aloy doesn’t ever have to go back to in the story, and having some kind of romance system to allow players to pursue a relationship with her could be a great way to give them a reason to return. Giving each location in the thirdHorizongame more personalities to potentially romance could give the world far more identity, as the woo-able characters can each carry a sense of place with them, from the tough but empathetic Utaru to the tribal and technological intelligence of the Banuk.
Horizon Could Look to Others for Romance Inspiration
There are plenty of role-playing games that use romance mechanics to give flavor to the story. FromMass EffecttoFire Emblemor evenYakuza: Like a Dragon, the ability for games to conjure exceptional character development through interactions that can turn into a relationship is endless. It’s perhaps the one big thing that other AAA RPGs do better thanHorizon, and whileForbidden Westgave Aloy the chance to be flirtatious, nothing had the potential to turn into a lasting romance.
Using theMass Effectmodelof giving players more freedom with Aloy’s speech options and allowing a relationship to flourish could be a breath of fresh air for a franchise that is only getting better. With romance-able NPCs in each of the settlements would mean there is more reason to revisit them, and can develop Aloy massively, bringing her out of her otherwise distant and standoffish shell that she’s created while desperately trying to save the world.
Horizon Forbidden Westis out now for PS4 and PS5.
MORE:The Last of Us 3’s Ellie May Be in the Same Boat as Horizon Forbidden West’s Aloy
