2022’sHorizon Forbidden Westintroduced many new features and mechanics compared to its 2017 predecessor,Horizon Zero Dawn. Aloy could now play intricate games of Machine Strike throughout the western settlements, glide in the air with the Shieldwing, fly in the air by mounting Sunwings or Waterwings, and breathe underwater indefinitely thanks to the diving mask, to name a few new mechanics. However, one new aspect in particular first introduced inHorizon Forbidden Westcould be expanded upon greatly inHorizonsequels and spinoffs, especially its rumored MMO game. This new aspect is the customization and expansion of the Base.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Base Explained
In the tallest snowy mountain peaks of the Forbidden West’s No Man’s Land, players will discoverProject Zero Dawn’s vacant Regional Control Center 9. Originally constructed by Zero Dawn’s governing artificial intelligence GAIA and intended to house adult graduates from the cradle facility ELEUTHIA-9, Regional Control Center 9 remained vacant for most of the millennia following the Faro Plague. This was due to Ted Faro’s deletion of the APOLLO database and the children of EELEUTHIA-9 never receiving an education beyond kindergarten level. Instead, these children would be released into the wild in their teenage years and would go on to form the basis of the Banuk, Carja, Nora, Oseram, Tenakth, and Utaru tribes.
Activity within Regional Control Center 9 remained stagnant until the early 31st century when the now independent A.I. MINERVA fled to the center for refuge from GAIA’s self-destruction. When Aloy began to look for the rogue A.I.s to rebuild GAIA, MINERVA was the first A.I. Aloy went after and managed to successfully convince it to join her, allowing Aloy access to the rest of the facility. From there, Aloy would name the center the Base and use it as her operating center to recover more A.I.s. Over the course ofForbidden West,Aloy’s allies would begin living in the Base and customize their roomsto their liking, such as Zo’s Utaru plants or Aloy’s weapons, armor, and personal items.
WhileHorizon Forbidden West’s Base is located in the mountains of No Man’s Land, in reality the base is located within Hayford Peak of the Sheep Range mountains found in the state of Nevada.
The Potential of Custom Bases in Future Horizon Games
While the release dates forHorizon 3, theHorizonmultiplayer game, andthe rumoredHorizonMMO gameare currently unknown, Guerrilla Games should consider expanding upon the Base system fromForbidden West. The settings of these games are unknown, but given thatForbidden WestandHorizon Call of the Mountainboth take place in new locations fromZero Dawn, futureHorizongames will likely be set in new locations as well. These new settings could grant players more opportunities to customize and even build bases of their very own, similar to the way Aloy’s companions customized their rooms in the Base. For example, each major tribal settlement could allow players to purchase a plot of land where they could build and customize their own small base.
These new bases could have designs based on the architecture of previously encountered tribes, such as the stone structures of the Carja, the coastal designs of the Quen, or the wintry designs of the Nora, for instance. As players explore the region more and complete quests, they could unlock more base designs and decor options similar tohow decorations for Mother’s Heart are unlocked inLEGO Horizon Adventures. Depending on whom the enemy factions are in these future games, players could even use their bases as defensible outposts with companions and other allies against invading raids of bandits or hostile remnants of the Eclipse and Regalla’s Rebels.
A New Base Trading Mechanic in Future Horizon Games
To better align with the incoming Nemesis threat seen inHorizon Forbidden West, Guerrilla could allow players to trade with other settlements from their bases to better prepare for Nemesis’ invasion. Aloy and her companions have already discussed seeking aid from thetribes to fight against Nemesis, with Erend mentioning in the Burning Shores DLC that he’s trying to recruit the Oseram to their cause. Building bases that can support a trade network throughout known lands can have players more involved in the overall Nemesis conflict beyond Aloy’s more bombastic exploits. While trade exchanges can be ordered and managed at bases, Guerrilla could visually depict some of these trades by having tribal and machine caravans roaming around the map, such as Bristleback and Chargers covered in equipment.
