How the Tribes in Horizon 3 Might Evolve Beyond Zero Dawn and Forbidden West

With the release of Horizon Zero Dawn: Remastered and LEGO Horizon Adventures now in the hands of players, Guerrilla Games seems poised to shift its creative energy towards the much-anticipated Horizon multiplayer game and the next installment in the series, Horizon 3. Since the arrival of Horizon Forbidden West in 2022 and the Burning Shores expansion in 2023, fans have speculated endlessly about how Aloy’s journey might conclude. There are whispers about Aloy venturing across the Pacific Ocean to seek out the advanced Quen Empire’s help or Sylens potentially harnessing ancient 21st-century technologies to battle Nemesis. Yet, a compelling twist Guerrilla might explore is focusing more on how established tribes are processing humanity’s storied past than introducing new factions.

It’s intriguing to see that despite the millennium since Ted Faro obliterated the APOLLO subroutine from Project: Zero Dawn, keeping humanity in a state reminiscent of bygone ages, vast remnants of 21st-century architecture and colossal robotic beasts still dominate the landscape. With the loss of old-world data, early human societies forged their explanations of the world, reminiscent of ancient civilizations pre-dating the common era. This led to the isolationist Nora perceiving automated security systems as the divine All-Mother or the Carja venerating the sun as a celestial being. Many tribes, lacking context for these ruins, viewed the machines and AI as demonic entities, blaming them for ancestral transgressions.

Interestingly, not every group was left entirely in the shadows. The Quen, for instance, stumbled upon a horde of early Focus devices granting a glimpse into past knowledge, which catapulted their society to technological heights. Similarly, the Tenakth absorbed old military strategies from ancient museum relics. Meanwhile, the Oseram managed to refurbish old-world technology, repurposing holographic displays from the ruins of Las Vegas, using them to inspire their own innovations. Scattered Focus devices allow tribesmen to interface with lingering active relics of the past world, much like Sylens did in Horizon Zero Dawn.

As for Horizon 3, the narrative could delve into the robust themes of uncovering old-world knowledge, a thread that’s been woven subtly throughout Zero Dawn and Forbidden West. Aloy, armed with her Focus, the tutelage of Sylens, and her genetic link to Dr. Elisabet Sobeck, pioneers in reclaiming the knowledge of the ancients. By the time Forbidden West concludes, she and her allies have secured a copy of APOLLO from the Far Zenith, merging its database with Project: Zero Dawn’s governing AI, GAIA. Aloy’s circle of friends begin expanding their understanding of human history with the grave task of countering Nemesis looming ahead. Erend even plans to equip the Oseram with Focus devices in preparation for the conflict.

However, intentions aside, revealing ancient knowledge to age-old tribes might stir unforeseen tensions. Many post-apocalyptic communities have been entrenched in traditions for generations, and challenging their long-held beliefs poses risks. The Utaru or the Carja’s spiritual leaders, for example, might resist this new-found truth, fearing a loss of authority if their deified beings are debunked.

The Quen might emerge as a fierce opposition to this wave of enlightenment. Their society’s rigid control of ancient knowledge, reserved for elite officials, could drive them to reject a potential upheaval that Aloy’s actions might incite. Conversely, the Oseram and Tenakth, who stand to benefit from technological advancements, could be more receptive to these revelations. Despite her feats throughout the Horizon games, Aloy might still face prejudice and societal hurdles in Horizon 3 as she seeks to unite these tribes against Nemesis.

In the ever-expanding world of Horizon, we’ve witnessed seven tribes with distinct identities, namely the Nora, Carja, Oseram, Banuk, Utaru, Tenakth, and Quen. The rich tapestry of cultures and potential conflicts sets a stage for a riveting continuation of Aloy’s saga, keeping fans eagerly awaiting what’s next.