The Curious Case of the Missing Sawtooth: Why Horizon’s Iconic Machine Vanished in the West
The absence of the Sawtooth, one of the most recognizable machines from Horizon: Zero Dawn, in Horizon: Forbidden West is a point of discussion among fans. The core reason for its omission appears to be a conscious design choice made by Guerrilla Games to streamline the machine roster and avoid redundancy. The Sawtooth, with its distinctive tiger-like appearance and combat style, shared considerable similarities with the Ravager. To diversify the encounters and introduce new challenges, the developers opted to prioritize the Ravager and its more advanced capabilities. The article excerpt confirms this, stating the Sawtooth was removed “in an attempt to remove any redundant or similar machines.” While mentioned in the Forbidden West, its lack of physical appearance is a deliberate design choice.
Understanding the Machine Ecosystem: Why Redundancy Matters
Balancing Innovation and Familiarity
Game development is a delicate balance. Players crave the thrill of the new, the satisfaction of mastering unfamiliar challenges. At the same time, they expect a certain level of continuity, a feeling of being in a world they already know and love. In the case of Horizon: Forbidden West, Guerrilla Games clearly aimed to emphasize innovation. The introduction of a diverse range of new machines was a central part of this strategy.
Removing the Sawtooth could be considered a calculated risk. It was a creature that players were familiar with and comfortable fighting. However, keeping it in the game would potentially dilute the impact of new additions like the Slitherfang, Tremortusk, and Shellsnapper. These machines offered unique combat mechanics and required different strategies, enriching the overall gameplay experience. The design team had to consider how much they could deviate from the established formula without alienating their core fanbase.
The Ravager’s Role: Stepping Out of Sawtooth’s Shadow
The Ravager is not merely a replacement for the Sawtooth; it’s an evolution. It possesses a wider array of attacks, including ranged capabilities through its detachable cannon, making it a more versatile and dangerous opponent. Keeping both in the game might have created a sense of imbalance, with the Sawtooth feeling comparatively underpowered or redundant. By focusing on the Ravager, the developers ensured that players encountered a machine that felt both familiar and significantly upgraded.
The Controversial Scrounger and Fanghorn
The excerpt points out the ironic twist that despite the removal of machines to reduce redundancy, the Scrounger and Fanghorn were added, arguably introducing similar issues. This highlights the subjective nature of game design decisions. What one player perceives as redundancy, another might see as welcome variation. The Scrounger’s scavenging behavior and the Fanghorn’s elemental attacks offer unique gameplay niches, even if they share some similarities with existing machines in terms of overall function.
Fan Theories and Community Speculation
While the official reason centers on design choices, fans have offered various alternative explanations for the Sawtooth’s absence.
- Geographical Distribution: Some suggest that the Sawtooth is simply endemic to specific regions outside the Forbidden West. Perhaps its environmental niche doesn’t exist in the game’s new areas.
- Machine Ecology: Others theorize that the Sawtooth was preyed upon or outcompeted by other machines, leading to a decline in their numbers within the Forbidden West.
- Lore Implications: A more speculative theory suggests that the Sawtooth may have played a role in the emerging machine conflicts within the Forbidden West, perhaps even serving as a key component for the more advanced Apex machines. This remains purely speculative, but it adds an intriguing layer to the discussion.
Horizon’s Continuing Evolution
The decision to exclude the Sawtooth underscores the continuous evolution of the Horizon franchise. Guerrilla Games is committed to refining its gameplay mechanics, expanding its lore, and introducing new and engaging challenges. While the absence of a familiar foe may be disappointing to some, it ultimately contributes to the overall richness and depth of the Horizon: Forbidden West experience. The developers are actively shaping and expanding the world of Horizon, and this includes difficult design decisions like leaving behind beloved machines. The Games Learning Society can provide further insights into the impact these changes may have for the community. GamesLearningSociety.org
The continuous evaluation and redesign of game mechanics contributes to the ever-changing experience within the Horizon games. The absence of the Sawtooth underscores the continuous evolution of the Horizon franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why was the Sawtooth removed from Horizon: Forbidden West?
The Sawtooth was removed to avoid redundancy with the Ravager and streamline the machine roster, allowing for a greater emphasis on new and unique machine designs.
2. Are there any Sawtooths mentioned in Horizon: Forbidden West?
Yes, the Sawtooth is mentioned as having been spotted in the Forbidden West, suggesting it exists within the world’s lore but doesn’t appear as an active encounter.
3. What other machines were removed from Horizon: Forbidden West?
Besides the Sawtooth, the Strider, Broadhead, Watcher, and Trampler were also removed.
4. Why were redundant machines added back in with the Scrounger and Fanghorn?
This is a subjective design choice. While they share some similarities with existing machines, the Scrounger and Fanghorn offer unique gameplay elements like scavenging behavior and elemental attacks, respectively.
5. What is the hardest machine to beat in Horizon Forbidden West?
Many players consider the Shellsnapper to be one of the most challenging machines to defeat in Horizon: Forbidden West. The Thunderjaw also remains a formidable opponent.
6. What is the rarest machine in Horizon Forbidden West?
The Dreadwing is considered the rarest of the aerial machines introduced in Horizon: Forbidden West.
7. Why does Aloy look different in Horizon Forbidden West?
The changes in Aloy’s appearance are attributed to improved PS5 graphics, lighting, and different camera angles rather than significant changes to the character model.
8. What was the controversy surrounding Aloy in Forbidden West?
Some fans reacted negatively to an optional same-sex kiss between Aloy and another character, leading to review bombing on sites like Metacritic.
9. Does Aloy have a love interest in Horizon: Forbidden West?
While romance isn’t a central focus, the Burning Shores DLC introduces Seyka as a potential love interest for Aloy, confirming her as LGBTQ.
10. Will there be a Horizon 3 game?
Yes, Guerrilla Games has indicated that a third mainline Horizon game is in development, continuing Aloy’s story.
11. What is the most powerful machine in Horizon Forbidden West?
The Thunderjaw is often considered one of the most powerful machines in the game, boasting significant size, armor, and firepower.
12. Is Aloy LGBTQ+?
Yes, the Burning Shores DLC confirms that Aloy is LGBTQ+, as she engages in a romantic relationship with Seyka.
13. Are there other LGBTQ+ characters in the Horizon games?
Yes, besides Aloy, the games include queer side characters, and many players appreciate that these characters are treated no differently based on their queerness.
14. Is the game Horizon Forbidden West a flop?
No, Horizon Forbidden West was not a flop. It sold millions of copies and was considered a success.
15. What secret codes are there in Horizon Forbidden West?
Specific secret codes within the game vary depending on the quest or location. For instance, during the Forbidden Legacy Side Quest, the codes are 102023 and 402625. Another code you might need is 9-6-2-6-1-1-8, used to unlock a door after dropping down an elevator shaft.