Aloy’s tenacity, passion, and curiosity led players to fall in love with her in Horizon Zero Dawn. As for the sequel, she’s not like the underdogs we’ve seen but is her own. She has proven herself, becoming a hero in the eyes of those around her. Of course, once you succeed and earn the title of “greatest machine hunter in the land”, the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations and Aloy won’t be easy this time around.
When it rained it poured. Six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, Aloy travels west to learn more about the mysterious Red Blight, which signals the degradation of the biosphere. If the stake is still not high enough, her journey to new lands also brings new threats. The danger this time comes not only to the indiscriminate machines but also a dangerous rival tribe that can crush the mechanical beasts. Throw yourself into a mysterious oncoming storm, and Aloy has to cut his job for her.
Guerrilla Games sees Aloy’s newfound popularity as a compelling narrative theme to explore in Forbidden West. In our showcases, we often see Aloy talk about her legacy and give praise. She was no longer a mocked outcast; She’s seen as a savior and placed on a pedestal, but has the biggest mission on her plate: making sure the Earth has a future.
“It was a lot of pressure, and that pressure became more and more intense as the game went on,” said narrative director Benjamin McCaw. “It really ends up being such a big part of her arc as a character… the idea of carrying the world on her shoulders.”
Aloy is always in control because she has to. After all, being shunned by your own tribe doesn’t make you eager to depend on others for support. But with so much to do, maybe it’s time for Aloy to let more people in and accept help where she can find it. The conflict between “relying on others” and “trying to do things yourself” will continue to appear in Forbidden West.
“On one level, Aloy really wants to live up to the example of Elisabet Sobeck, her mother character, and do whatever it takes to avert disaster and save the world, even if it means is to do it alone,” McCaw said. “But she will also discover that loneliness is a lifesaver. And in the end, it’s relationships with others that make the world so much more worth saving in the first place. ”
Aloy has always been aloof with her, but watching Guerrilla explore more of the loneliness that comes with success makes us intrigued. McCaw hinted at this more recently on Blog PlayStation: “Although she has befriended many people in her adventures, she still feels like an outsider, and the truth is she has no real home. These aspects of her character will be explored further as she ventures into the mysterious frontiers of the Western Forbidden. ”
It’s perhaps no coincidence that Guerrilla goes on to reiterate that this entry is more focused on giving you more time with Aloy’s companions, hope the player forms a stronger bond with them than in Zero Dawn. Satisfied guess this not only adds weight to Aloy’s relationships but also brings out new facets of her personality. New experiences often bring change and we can’t wait to see how this journey challenges Aloy to grow.
Want to see where the character Aloy goes in Horizon Forbidden West?
Still want to know more about Horizon Forbidden West? Check out our online cover hub below, which has details on the new machines and upcoming improvements to the game.
