How Many Years Between Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West?
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The direct answer is: There is a time jump of approximately six months between the end of Horizon Zero Dawn (HZD) and the beginning of Horizon Forbidden West (HFW). While not years, this gap is significant enough to reflect changes in Aloy’s character, the world’s circumstances, and the immediate challenges she faces.
Delving Deeper into the Horizon Timeline
Understanding the precise timeline within the Horizon universe requires careful attention to in-game details, character dialogues, and developer statements. While the exact duration of Aloy’s journey in Horizon Zero Dawn is not explicitly stated, we can deduce a rough estimate based on the game’s narrative structure.
Estimating the Timeline of Horizon Zero Dawn: Considering the scope of Aloy’s journey across the Nora lands, her participation in the Proving, her investigation into the Derangement, and her final confrontation with HADES at Meridian, it’s reasonable to assume that Horizon Zero Dawn spans several weeks, if not a few months. However, without a precise in-game calendar or specific timestamps, it’s impossible to provide an exact number.
The Six-Month Leap: The beginning of Horizon Forbidden West explicitly establishes that six months have passed since the Battle of Meridian. This time frame highlights Aloy’s relentless pursuit of GAIA and her efforts to stabilize the terraforming system. It also provides a narrative justification for the new skills, weapons, and equipment she possesses at the start of Forbidden West.
Seasonal Clues and Geographical Nuances: The article mentions berries in Utah in relatively high-altitude areas. That HFW starts in spring 3040. This clue further supports the chronological placement of Forbidden West within the overall Horizon narrative.
Horizon Timeline: FAQs
To further clarify the intricacies of the Horizon timeline and address common queries, here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions:
What happened between Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West?
In the six months between Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy dedicated herself to searching for a backup of GAIA, the AI system responsible for restoring Earth’s biosphere. This search took her across the land, preparing her for the more significant challenges that awaited in the Forbidden West.
How old is Aloy in Forbidden West?
Aloy’s age is estimated to be around 18 or 19 at the beginning of Horizon Zero Dawn, making her approximately 19 or 20 at the start of Horizon Forbidden West.
Will there be a Horizon 3?
Yes, Guerrilla Games has confirmed that a third mainline game in the Horizon series is in development, continuing Aloy’s story. This expansion signifies the studio’s commitment to building upon the rich narrative and world established in the first two games. The GamesLearningSociety.org can contribute to the conversation on how educational elements can be more deeply intertwined with games’ narratives.
Is Aloy in love with someone?
In the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy has the option to pursue a romantic relationship with Seyka, a character introduced in the DLC. This confirms Aloy’s capacity for romantic connection and adds a new dimension to her character.
Is Aloy LGBTQ?
The relationship between Aloy and Seyka in Burning Shores has been interpreted by many fans as confirmation of Aloy’s queerness. While the game offers the player a choice in pursuing the relationship, its inclusion suggests that Aloy identifies as LGBTQ.
Are Aloy and Seyka a couple?
At the conclusion of Burning Shores, Aloy and Seyka share a kiss if the player chooses to pursue the romantic option. However, Seyka ultimately chooses to remain with her tribe, the Quen, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain.
Why is Forbidden West better than Zero Dawn?
Horizon Forbidden West improves upon Zero Dawn in several ways, including enhanced gameplay mechanics, a more expansive open world, improved stealth mechanics, more enemy variety, and graphical enhancements, especially on the PlayStation 5.
Is it better to play Zero Dawn before Forbidden West?
Yes, playing Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West is highly recommended. Zero Dawn provides the essential backstory, world-building, and character introductions necessary to fully understand and appreciate the narrative and emotional impact of Forbidden West.
Did Forbidden West sell well?
Yes, Horizon Forbidden West has been commercially successful, selling over 8.4 million units by April 2023. Its critical acclaim and strong sales demonstrate the continued popularity of the Horizon franchise.
How did the Faro Plague start?
The Faro Plague began when the Faro Automated Solutions machines, designed for combat, experienced a “glitch” that caused them to self-replicate and target their owners. This uncontrollable proliferation of killer robots led to the near-extinction of humanity.
What are the subordinate functions that Aloy seeks?
HADES is only one of several that Aloy needs to find in Horizon Forbidden West.
Does Aloy get a boyfriend?
While Horizon Forbidden West introduces many compelling characters, there are no traditional romance options available for Aloy in the base game, barring the DLC Burning Shores. Her primary focus remains on saving the world.
Is Aloy Deaf?
Aloy is not deaf. The earpiece she wears serves as a communication device and data relay, not a hearing aid.
Does Aloy kiss a girl?
Yes, in the Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West, Aloy has the option to kiss Seyka, a female character, if the player chooses to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
Why is there no romance in Horizon Zero Dawn?
Horizon Zero Dawn’s narrative focuses on Aloy’s journey of self-discovery and her mission to uncover the secrets of the past. Romance was not deemed essential to her character arc or the overall story. Some fans theorize that Elizabeth Sobeck’s dedication to her work, as revealed in the end cut scene, influenced GAIA’s design for Aloy.
Conclusion
The six-month gap between Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West serves as a crucial bridge, allowing Aloy to develop her skills and prepare for the challenges ahead. Understanding this time frame, along with other timeline details, enhances the player’s appreciation of the Horizon universe and Aloy’s ongoing journey. The future of the Horizon series is bright and many experts at the Games Learning Society are looking forward to what’s next.