Horizon 3 Reportedly In Closed Testing Stages, Gameplay Is Solid But Doesn’t Offer Anything New

Expert Verified By

Its Gameplay Is Essentially 'More Of The Same.'

Story Highlight
  • The third mainline Horizon title is in internal testing, according to several insiders.
  • Its gameplay is quite solid but doesn’t seem to offer any radical changes.
  • Sony doesn’t want to take any risks with the trilogy.

Guerrilla Games’ Horizon titles have been among Sony’s finest cinematic works over the years, winning several awards and helping define next-gen visuals. So, anticipation for the third mainline entry is quite strong as it’s already been four years since Forbidden West launched. 

A new report now claims that the Forbidden West sequel has entered the internal testing stages. Several people reportedly have access to the game and have revealed details that are both exciting and concerning, depending on who you ask.

Why it matters: The new Horizon game is essentially the same as the first two in terms of core mechanics, which could disappoint many gamers who expected innovation in gameplay. 

On the latest Last Stand Media podcast episode, game journalist Colin Moriarty claims that he’s talked to several testers who have played the game. The inside sources say it’s a great experience that matches Sony’s best cinematic gameplay standards.

I have talked to people that have played it. […] A lot of people say like it’s good. We’ll See what happens.

-Game Journalist, Colin Moriarty.

Unfortunately, the con here is that gameplay is essentially ‘more of the same’ as the first two titles, with there being no radical innovations or changes to core mechanics.

God of War franchise creator David Jaffe explains while arguing about how Sony is failing to innovate in its core franchises. So, if you’ve played Horizon before, then there won’t be much to surprise you in terms of gameplay.

You know what they are doing with Horizon Next? […] It’s incredibly well executed, but it’s very ‘been there, done that.’ 

-God of War Franchise creator, David Jaffe.

Horizon Zero Dawn
The next mainline Horizon game will be the conclusion of the trilogy.

A lack of gameplay changes also makes sense as Sony wants to avoid taking unnecessary risks that could affect how well Horizon 3 performs. Playing it safe will ensure that the game recoups the colossal AAA budget over time. 

At the moment, NCSoft is working on a Horizon MMORPG, while Guerrilla Games is also developing its own multiplayer title in the franchise. However, we could learn more about Horizon 3 in the near future.

Do you think the next Horizon game will live up to expectations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.

Was our article helpful? 👨‍💻

Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔

Gear Up For Latest News

Get exclusive gaming & tech news before it drops. Sign up today!

Join Our Community

Still having issues? Join the Tech4Gamers Forum for expert help and community support!

Latest News

Join Our Community

104,000FansLike
32,122FollowersFollow

Trending

Diablo 5 Officially Announced By Blizzard; Targeting 2029 Release Window

Blizzard has officially announced Diablo 5, with the next mainline entry currently targeting a 2029 release window.

God of War Creator Says Sony Should Fire PlayStation Studios Boss Following Recent Disasters

God of War creator David Jaffe has criticized PlayStation Studios' leadership due to back-to-back live-service failures.

PS5 Emulation Shows Massive Jump Again; Demon’s Souls Now Runs 10x Faster

A new report suggests that PS5 emulation has taken another major step forward, with KyTyPS5 now running Demon’s Souls remake 10x faster.

Steam Is Officially 23 Years Old Today And Continues To Dominate PC Gaming

Steam has completed 23 years, marking another major milestone for a platform that started as one of PC gaming’s most disliked launchers.

China Can Now Domestic Quratz To Manufacture 300mm DRAM Chip Production

China advances semiconductor independency, as Jiangsu gains certification for domestic high-purity quartz used in 300mm DRAM production.