Summary
Horizonhas featured many activities and minigames and with each new addition to the franchise, more activities are added.Forbidden Westimproved onZero Dawn’sminigames by adding plenty of new ones. InZero Dawn, the only minigame available to players were the Hunting Grounds.Forbidden Westadded Machine Strikes, Melee Pits, the Arena, and Gauntlet Runs to list of minigames giving fans ofHorizonmore activities to explore outside the main story and side quests.
Horizon Forbidden Westended on a cliffhanger where it is revealed that the AI that destroyed the Far Zenith colony is headed to Earth, and that it would arrive in six months. Aloy will have much to do inHorizon 3to save Earth and stop the second apocalypse. Stopping to play some matches of Machine Strike or racing on a Gauntlet Run may seem like a slightly out of character distraction for her in the next game. If Guerrilla were to weave these minigames into the narrative forHorizon 3, then it would add depth to the gameplay, story, and improve the overall minigame mechanic.
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How Mini-Games Could Weave into the Narrative
Machine Strike
Making its debut inForbidden Westis Machine Strike, a type of board game that was invented by the Tenakth.Machine Strikewould be a missed opportunity if it weren’t part of a quest. Aloy might need help from a Tenakth Soldier, but they could refuse to help unless she defeats them at Strike, or perhaps one of Aloy’s friends thinks she needs to rest a little and challenges her to a match of Strike.
Hunting Grounds
The narrative of the Hunting Grounds was to allow Aloy to refine her hunting skills. The Hunting Grounds would be able to perfectly slip into the narrativeif Aloy decided to train Betain preparation for the likely battle with Nemesis. With the dangers in the world ofHorizon, Beta will need all the training she can get.
Melee Pits
Introduced inForbidden Westand similarly to the Hunting Grounds, Aloy uses Melee Pits to train and learn new skills. Perhaps the Melee Pits could come in handy in a prologue sequence, or maybe a potential ally wants to see her prove her strength and defeat them in battle. Plus, just like with the Hunting Grounds, Aloy could be training Beta how to fight. Training Beta would fit into the narrative because Aloy needs all her friends to be able to fight and defend themselves, and that might extend to Beta. InForbidden Westit was heavily implied thatKotallo started teaching Alva how to protect herselfand to fight better in preparation to fight the Zeniths.
Arena
Zero DawnandForbidden Westweaved the Arena perfectly into the narrative. During the events ofZero Dawn, Aloy is captured by the Eclipse and must fight to survive in the Arena against vicious machines. InForbidden West, Aloy fought in the Tenakth Arena twice as part of the story. The first time she fought to defend the Grove againstRegalla’s Tenakth rebel attack, and the second time she fought head-to-head with Regalla and defeated her. Since Guerrilla has utilized the Arena in the narrative in both games, it very well possible that it will do that again inHorizon 3.
Gauntlet Runs
First appearing inForbidden West,Gauntlet Runs areHorizon’sform of a racing minigame. Gauntlet Runs were created by a group of outcast Tenakth who abandoned Regalla’s Rebels. They stole the Chargers that belonged to the Rebels and decided to use them for racing when Aloy comes across them. Aloy decides that it seems fun and joins in, and later discovers that their best rider is an old comrade of hers. The Guantlet Run could fit into the narrative flawlessly if one of Aloy’s allies suggests racing to their destination on their mounts. This would add a change of pace to the story and wouldn’t seem too out of character for the heroine ofHorizonwhile she works to save the world from Nemesis.
