Image: Guerrilla
You’d think Sony would want to make a song and dance about a new game in the Horizon series being announced, but seemingly not: news of one has just unceremoniously dropped on the PlayStation Blog. Though it’s perhaps because it isn’t the mainline follow-up to Horizon Forbidden West, instead being a multiplayer-focused spin-off. Horizon Hunters Gathering, as it’s called, will have a story mode that’s canon, however.
Horizon Hunters Gathering doesn’t have a release date just yet, but made for both PS5 and PC, it will soon be undergoing playtests to shape its final development. You can perhaps get in those playtests, too, if you sign up to the PlayStation Beta Program. In any case, it’s designed with multiplayer in mind, being a three-player co-op endeavour in which players chose from one of the numerous unique hunters available and then head out on challenging missions.
At the moment, two mission types have been revealed, which will both be available in the upcoming playtest. In Machine Incursion, players will fight against waves of machines that pour out of underground gateways, before finally facing off against a formidable boss. Cauldron Descent, on the other hand, is a multi-stage trial which will push hunters to their limits with its ever-changing rooms and brutal encounters, as well as hidden doors that may hide valuable treasure for those brave enough to open them.
Sporting a snazzy almost comic book-like visual style, Horizon Hunters Gathering looks like it will be more of a playful, over-the-top affair compared to the mainline games, though as already mentioned, its stories will be canon. Each of its playable hunters have their own motivations and personal struggles, as well as their own play styles. And in the game’s story mode at least you’ll be able to go it along with the computer controlling your team mates.
Along with a social hub, the titular Hunters Gathering, where players can customise their hunter, visit vendors and upgrade their gear between missions, this new entry in the Horizon series isn’t quite what we were expecting but it sounds fun nonetheless. So, check out the announcement trailer below, then sign up to the PlayStation Beta Program is you wish to be in with a chance to playtest it.
