Horizon: Forbidden West not only expanded its map, graphics, and story for protagonist Aloy but expanded the staple on which the series depends: Machines. Before Horizon: Forbidden West or Zero Dawn was released, the first game was known as the robot dinosaur game. While elements of that description are valid within the games, the distinguishing feature of the Machines isn't so much the ones that look like dinosaurs but the ones that resemble animals.
Horizon: Zero Dawn had 26 Machines to discover; many of them resembled modern-day reptiles, birds, and mammals. The sequel added 23 new Machine types, many enhancing on this theme from the first game, with Machine designs including snakes, turtles, monkeys, hippos, and more. With a third game sure to come, there's room to scratch below the surface and feature some intriguing animal designs.
Frogs in Horizon
Traditionally known for eating insects, frogs are used for medical advancements while their tadpoles filter water humans drink. To see a frog or toad-based Machines would work well with the idea of a terraforming system meant to refilter water and air for animal and human survival. The games have indicated that Snapmaws and Stormbirds were meant to detoxify the water and air, and with frogs also filtering water, this animal would fit well in Horizon's world.
With their webbed feet, ability to survive in water and on land, and stretchy tongues, frogs Machines could be lethal to Aloy and company. Fans can imagine needing to dodge their tongues that can shock or stun players in place, or if mimicking some biological species, apply a poison effect. Their ability to leap and cover vast distances in one jump would also pose a threat in battle, especially if there is more than one at a given location.
Burrowing Spiders in Horizon
Horizon: Zero Dawn introduced players to burrowing Machines with the Rockbreakers, which tunneled underground, only to surface when they detected movement on the surface. Horizon: Forbidden West introduced similar burrowing mechanics with the Shellsnapper, a giant turtle that sinks into the ground and launches itself at Aloy when she's within range, and the aptly named weasel-like Burrower.
Spiders that burrow are known for digging into the ground and disguising their holes from unsuspecting prey. A Machine in the form of a spider that caves would be a formidable threat. This Machine could set traps in the ground around a particular area, waiting for unsuspecting NPCs and Aloy herself to wander by. Not only that, but their attack methods can mimic those of Rockbreakers and Shellsnappers with being able to burrow and emerge at will, making attacking them rather tricky.
Sharks in Horizon
Horizon: Forbidden West opened the gateway for water traversal, and underwater was a fun feature in the game that brought new types of tension, as Aloy had to swim, hide, and dodge Machines within the water. Unable to defend herself with weapons, any underwater encounter could have been deadly, with Smoke Bombs as the only way to get away.
Sharks are already known as apex predators. A shark-based Horizon machine design would ensure the same type of danger, especially with a loaded arsenal at its disposal. If tensions were high with alligator/crocodile look-alikes with Snapmaws, a robotic version of a Great White racing toward Aloy as she tries to hide among the weeds could raise the stakes even higher. The ability to use limited weaponry would enhance the underwater aspects in a third game.
Gorillas in Horizon
Often seen as fearsome, gorillas are incredibly important for local biodiversity, commonly spreading the seeds of fruit they eat throughout large swaths of the area where they roam. Despite their size and strength, they are often seen as gentle with human-like behavior, representing humanity's evolution from the primate tree millennia ago. Continued study of these majestic creatures can lead to further understanding bridging the gap between human and animal intellect.
As Machines within Horizon's world, this docile aspect of humanity can quickly be ramped up to deadly with Hephaestus in charge of the programming. Their ability to mimic human behavior could see these Machine types within Horizon being not just formidable but calculating as well. Their brute strength will provide difficulty in close-quarters combat, but what they could conceive as offensive or defensive would be a sight to see.
Insect Swarms in Horizon
Horizon: Zero Dawn and Horizon: Forbidden West introduced numerous Machines that congregate in groups for their different purposes, yet one feature players haven't seen yet is a swarm of insects, similar to a multitude of bees or mosquitos. Zero Dawn detailed how the Chariot Line of war robots acted as a swarm, and soldiers during Enduring Victory refer to the bots as such.
However, an actual swarm of mechanical insects has yet to be seen and could wreak untold havoc on Aloy as she braves the wilds and searches for ways to defeat Nemesis. With the sentient AI acting as a sort of Hive Mind of the Zeniths, seeing it create its swarm of hive-minded could be an interesting take on a present-day in the Horizon world as it stands. Trying to overcome small insects using precise attacks would be an exciting way to change the fighting style against some Machines.
Horizon: Forbidden West continued the franchise's take on adapting modern-day animal forms as Machines that operate as part of the failing terraforming system of GAIA. At the same time, some states of the Machines are based on the megafauna of the ancient past; many incorporate animals and their characteristics to help filter and detoxify the air and waters. Adding new animal adaptations such as frogs, burrowing spiders, sharks, gorillas, and insect swarms could increase both difficulty and variety in the next game
Horizon Forbidden West is available now for PS4 and PS5.