This week, NCSoft and Sony revealed a stunning new entry into the Horizon franchise, titled Horizon Steel Frontiers. This massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is set to launch exclusively on mobile devices and PC, marking a notable expansion of the beloved Horizon universe crafted by Guerrilla Games. Although Steel Frontiers boasts elements familiar to fans of the series, it embraces a unique visual style and gameplay approach, setting it apart from previous titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.
Drawing on the immense success of the original franchise, which has been characterized by its rich storytelling and breathtaking graphics, the development team at NCSoft has partnered closely with Guerrilla Games to ensure consistency in the aesthetic and narrative aspects of the new game. Sunggu Lee, executive producer at NCSoft, shared that the goal for Horizon Steel Frontiers was to create a vibrant shared world where players can experience the thrill of exploration and monster hunting in a way never before seen in the franchise.
The gameplay will incorporate more stylized characters compared to Guerrilla’s realistic aesthetic, yet NCSoft aims to maintain a balance, avoiding extreme cartoonish features. This decision speaks to a broader attempt to appeal to various markets while respecting the narrative weight of the Horizon series.
In terms of combat, players will face off against iconic machines from the Horizon universe, including a reimagined Rockbreaker designed for cooperative play. Lee noted that while the game maintains core principles from earlier titles, such as targeting machine parts to weaken them, combat is redesigned to focus on quick decisions and strategic melee engagements, with distinct mechanics tailored for both mobile and PC platforms.
The game will also feature a sprawling open world called the Deadlands, which is home to various player hubs where interactions can flourish. These towns will serve as social centers, allowing players to upgrade their gear, form parties, and embark on battles together. The Deadlands landscape, inspired by regions of Arizona and New Mexico, promises to offer both solo adventures and collaborative challenges against fierce machines.
As for social features, Steel Frontiers encourages players to create connections—whether spontaneous encounters or planned cooperative efforts—fostering a sense of community within the game. Lee emphasized that the core experience revolves around uniting players in their quest to take down powerful adversaries, cultivating both competition and camaraderie among hunters.
With anticipation building among fans, Horizon Steel Frontiers represents a promising evolution of the Horizon legacy, combining the franchise’s established elements with NCSoft’s expertise in MMORPGs. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the partnership between NCSoft and Guerrilla Games stands as a testament to the innovative spirit driving the gaming industry forward. As this narrative unfolds, players can look forward to a new chapter in the Horizon saga, one that emphasizes collaboration and shared experiences in a breathtakingly crafted world.