Where Did Everyone Go at the End of Horizon Forbidden West?
The conclusion of Horizon Forbidden West is a whirlwind of epic battles and emotional farewells, leaving many players wondering about the fate of Aloy’s companions. After the climactic showdown with the Far Zeniths and the successful defense of GAIA, the game doesn’t simply end. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the immediate aftermath, showing us where our allies have dispersed. The core companions, the ones we’ve journeyed with most extensively, can be found in a few specific locations, reflecting their individual connections to the world and their respective tribes. The new companions who joined Aloy’s adventure are found at their respective tribe villages, where they can be seen in their more relaxed or familiar settings. Erend, for example, has returned to the familiar sights of Las Vegas, a place of deep personal meaning after his struggles throughout the game. This is not their final destination for the future; the final cutscene shows all the members heading out to different corners of the world, intending to tell everyone what had happened with the Far Zeniths and the impending arrival of Nemesis. Also, in a specific detail, Alva can be seen at Legacy’s Landing as the Quen ship departs.
This scattering is not haphazard. It’s a deliberate move by the game’s narrative to signify the start of a new phase: the preparation for the incoming threat of Nemesis. The ending emphasizes that Aloy’s victory is not the end of the fight, but rather a brief respite. The various characters are now positioned to galvanize their respective communities, ensuring a unified front when the time comes.
Companion Locations After the Finale
The locations of these key figures is not always explicitly stated within the main gameplay; rather, it is shown in the end-game cutscenes. After all, Aloy’s immediate concerns shift to preparing for the inevitable threat, and she is seen working diligently on this endeavor. This preparation, however, does not invalidate the presence of her friends. A closer look at the end credits scene, and then revisiting the locations, allows players to see all of the friends in their new or old home. The general dispersal is as follows:
- Erend: Found in Las Vegas, his new home.
- The New Companions: Kotallo, Zo, and Alva return to their respective tribes.
- Alva: Can also be seen at Legacy’s Landing, near the departing Quen ship.
This is all in accordance with the ending cutscene, which shows every companion embarking on journeys to inform their various tribes and settlements of the immediate dangers.
Thematic Significance of the Dispersal
The locations chosen for each character are not arbitrary. They underscore the themes of unity and personal growth that are central to the narrative. Erend’s return to Las Vegas is a nod to his personal journey, where he faced his demons and emerged as a stronger leader. The return of the new companions to their tribes is a symbolic act, representing their commitment to their people and a confirmation of their integration into the world beyond the Forbidden West. Furthermore, the presence of Alva at Legacy’s Landing highlights the Quen’s newfound engagement with the broader world. The game carefully balances the need for Aloy to face new challenges while giving her the space to be with her companions.
Setting the Stage for the Future
The dispersal of Aloy’s allies is not only a conclusion but also a setup for future narratives. As the game indicates, a third mainline game is indeed in development, with Aloy’s next chapter set in the face of the incoming Nemesis threat. The third game will likely involve a union of the various tribes, bringing the groups together to face a common enemy. This is all but confirmed with the ending cutscene, and the various locations of the companions. The presence of Aloy’s companions in their respective territories establishes the foundation for this possible inter-tribal collaboration. This preparation will be essential for confronting Nemesis, who is portrayed as a far greater threat than any encountered in previous games.
Horizon Forbidden West: Frequently Asked Questions
To further clarify the events and characters’ statuses post-game, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions:
1. What happens after the end of Horizon Forbidden West?
The Burning Shores DLC continues Aloy’s story after the events of the main game. In it, Aloy travels to what was once Los Angeles, now known as the Burning Shores. There, she encounters new quests, bigger boss fights, new weapons, armor, and more.
2. What is the true ending of Horizon Forbidden West?
Horizon Forbidden West’s ending ultimately indicates that Aloy’s story is not yet finished, setting up future Horizon content. By the end of the game, Aloy has successfully defeated the Far Zenith group that came to steal GAIA to colonize a new planet. The ending of the game shows all the companions, and also sets the stage for the upcoming Nemesis threat.
3. How did the world end in Horizon Forbidden West?
The world was destroyed by the Faro Plague, a swarm of self-replicating, military robots that went rogue. To combat this, a program called Zero Dawn was created by Elisabeth Sobeck, an AI-controlled terraforming system designed to eventually shut down the Faro Plague machines and reboot the planet, setting the stage for the post-apocalyptic setting in the games.
4. Will there be a third Horizon game?
Yes, a third mainline game in the Horizon series is in development at Guerrilla Games. It’s set to continue Aloy’s story and possibly deal with the incoming Nemesis threat.
5. Is Aloy LGBTQ?
Yes, Horizon is known for having many LGBTQ characters, and Aloy is a genetic clone of a queer woman. The Burning Shores DLC also confirms Aloy’s sexuality with the introduction of a romance between Aloy and Seyka.
6. Will Aloy be in Horizon 3?
Yes, Aloy will be the protagonist in Horizon 3, which will continue her journey to protect the world.
7. Why did the Faro robots go rogue?
Due to a “glitch,” these machines targeted their owners and began to replicate uncontrollably. The rogue AI and spread of killer robots would eventually be known as the Faro Plague.
8. Why did Far Zenith come to Earth?
Far Zenith returned to Earth to reclaim it after their AI, Nemesis, went rogue and attempted to destroy all human life on their colony on Sirius.
9. Is Aloy a clone of Elisabet?
Yes, Aloy is a genetic clone of Elisabet Sobek, the scientist and engineer who created Project Zero Dawn.
10. Is there a scene at the end of Horizon Forbidden West?
Yes, there’s an end-credit sequence where you fly around the world on your sunwing, which is pretty cool, and also serves as a montage for all the companions, as well as their new or old locations.
11. What happened to HADES in Horizon Forbidden West?
HADES was revealed to still be alive inside a Horus Quantum Processing Core, which Aloy found.
12. What will Horizon 3 be about?
Horizon 3 will likely focus on Aloy and her allies preparing post-apocalyptic Earth for Nemesis’ arrival. It will probably involve a union of the various tribes, Nora, Carja, Tenakth, Utaru, and Quen.
13. Why does Far Zenith want GAIA?
Far Zenith wants GAIA to restore another planet for them to live on, escaping the threat of Nemesis.
14. Why did Tilda betray Aloy?
Tilda wanted to leave Earth and take both Aloy and GAIA aboard the Odyssey to have a new start on another planet.
15. Who is Aloy in love with?
Aloy can choose to start a romantic relationship with Seyka in the Burning Shores DLC. She admits her romantic feelings towards Seyka and the pair share a kiss.
By understanding where the characters have gone, and reviewing other key plot points, we gain a clearer understanding of the events in Horizon Forbidden West. The ending doesn’t signify a full stop, but the beginning of the next stage of the journey, solidifying the foundation for the next Horizon adventure.