An MMO based onHorizon Forbidden Westand its predecessor,Horizon Zero Dawn, is potentially in development, and this prospective spin-off could allow one feature, with which the single-player games struggle, to shine. Though reports in early 2025 alleged that NCSoft had stopped working on its online spin-off of the Guerrilla Games series, there isstill hope forHorizon’s MMOunder the codename “Project Skyline.” If it is true that the game is still being developed, then theHorizon MMOstill has a chance to succeed in one particular area whereZero Dawnand its sequel seemed to fall short.
Combat plays a fundamental role in theHorizonseries, and bothZero DawnandForbidden Westfeatured large arsenals that suited different playstyles, from ranged weapons to traps and tripwires. However, one feature that seemed to be overlooked in both games was melee combat, as players were given virtually no options beyond a spear for close-quarters combat. While Guerrilla Games had a reasonable explanation for this decision, NCSoft’sHorizonMMO has the opportunity to offer players just as much variety with melee combat as the series has done with its other weapons.
Horizon MMO’s Melee Should Push The Envelope After Zero Dawn And Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West Were Locked In With Aloy’s Spear
Aloy’s ability to override machines was an integral mechanic established early on inZero Dawn, and it is connected directly to her spear. More specifically, it is duringZero Dawn’s story that players are shown how Aloy gains this ability after she salvages a Corruptor’s override device and attaches it to the end of her spear. As a result, while other characters are seen using different weapons, bothZero Dawnand its sequel, which improved the override ability with the addition of things likeflying mounts, might have struggled to extend the mechanic to other melee weapons beyond Aloy’s spear.
Improving Horizon’s Melee Combat Is Long Overdue After Forbidden West
Despite efforts to expand combat forZero Dawn’s sequel, the series' melee combat, arguably, continues to fall short, with the likes ofForbidden West’s Melee Pits emphasizing this issue. Dedicating a mini-game exclusively to melee combat inForbidden Westhas drawn attention to an area where the series struggles overall, andHorizon’s gameplay appears to favor stealth and ranged combat over direct melee confrontations. While a potentialHorizon 3might not be able to address this issue if Aloy returns as its protagonist, NCSoft’s MMO spin-off could come to the rescue and finally overhaulHorizon’s melee combat.
A Horizon MMO Has The Perfect Opportunity To Improve Melee Combat
Provided thatHorizonfollows the same formula set by other MMO games, then the opportunity to break from a set protagonist and allow players to create their own characters would be ideal for introducing a new and improved melee combat system. UsingForbidden West’s combat as a rough guide, aHorizonMMO could cater to a range of different gameplay styles, such as heavy, slower weapons that can hit hard or lighter weapons that might attack faster but deal less damage. Based on characters seen in bothZero DawnandForbidden West, an MMO spin-off could introduce weapons like those listed below.
Though an MMO would need to ensure that overhaulingHorizon’s melee does not diminish its ranged and stealth gameplay, NCSoft has the chance to helpHorizonevolve in waysZero Dawn,Forbidden West, and potentially even the next game in the series aren’t able to. AHorizonMMO could be exactly what’s needed to make the most out of the series' combat system, while also opening the door for futureHorizongames to do the same. After all, should the series continue beyond Aloy’s suspected trilogy, the subsequentHorizongame could benefit from giving more melee weaponsto an all-new protagonist.
