Summary

  • "Horizon 3" is in development with no official title yet, opening speculation about its subtitle.
  • The series' focus on discovery is evident in "Horizon" titles like Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.
  • "Nemesis Rising" or "New Dawn" may serve as potential ideal subtitles for "Horizon 3" with thematic weight.

While it hasn't been given an official title or release date yet, Guerrilla Games has confirmed that "Aloy's next adventure" is currently in development, which is presumably Horizon 3. Despite the lack of an official subtitle for Horizon 3, it's entirely possible to speculate on what that subtitle might be by simply taking into consideration where the story is currently at and where it might go, following the events of Horizon Forbidden West.

The main title of the franchise, Horizon, is a reflection of the series' focus on discovery, exploration, and the unknown. Each game's subtitle, however, emphasizes something unique to its story, with Zero Dawn being a direct reference to Project Zero Dawn and also suggesting both an ending and a beginning to something. In a similar way, Horizon Forbidden West's name refers to the region west of the Sundom, which is considered forbidden because of the unknown dangers within it, while also thematically representing Aloy's journey into unexplored territory. Now, in light of where the overarching narrative of the Horizon series is at currently after Forbidden West, Horizon 3's subtitle is likely to be a double entendre of sorts, just as its predecessors have.

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What Horizon 3's Ideal Subtitle Would Be

Horizon Forbidden West could be considered the most important game in the series, as its ending establishes Nemesis, a rogue AI entity, as the true overarching antagonist of the whole story. Created by the Far Zeniths as a failed experiment to digitalize human consciousness, Nemesis became a sentient amalgamation of hatred and destruction, and a threat far beyond anything Aloy has faced so far. As revealed during the final moments of Forbidden West, Nemesis is responsible for driving the Zeniths from their colony and is now on a collision course with Earth to relentlessly destroy all remaining forms of life.

Needless to say, it would make sense for Horizon 3's subtitle to reference Nemesis in some way.

Fortunately, if Horizon 3 allowed its subtitle to be influenced by the newly-revealed antagonist, it would benefit from the fact that Nemesis is not only the name of the series' overarching enemy, but it can also be used as an indirect reference to something else, thereby honoring the series' tradition of subtitles that carry thematic weight. Specifically, "nemesis" is defined as "the inescapable agent of someone's or something's downfall," so including it in the next game's subtitle would be both a reference to the antagonist itself and the threat it poses against Earth, both of which are set up to be a big focus of Horizon 3's story.

With that considered, "Nemesis Rising" might be the ideal subtitle for Horizon 3, as it would emphasize the importance of Nemesis in the story and its new place in the series' narrative. "Rising" would also be a great way for Horizon 3 to bring things full circle for the Horizon series, as the words "dawn" and "rising" are synonymous with one another. Including "rising" in the subtitle for Horizon 3 would also carry positive implications as well, suggesting humanity's defiance against Nemesis, a new beginning for Earth, and an increased sense of hope in those fighting for the planet's future.

"Nemesis Rising" might be the ideal subtitle for Horizon 3, as it would emphasize the importance of Nemesis in the story and its new place in the series' narrative.

If Horizon 3 didn't go with something like "Nemesis Rising" as its subtitle, "New Dawn" would also be a great candidate due to its double-entendre potential. "New Dawn" could suggest both a new perspective brought about by the introduction of Nemesis in the story and a new day for Earth and its inhabitants. Furthermore, "New Dawn" would, just like "Nemesis Rising," bring the Horizon series full circle back to Zero Dawn in its name alone. Still, something more along the lines of "Nemesis Rising" might better suit Horizon 3's subtitle, but it's all just speculation until Guerrilla Games reveals the next installment in the Horizon series.

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Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 96%
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Released
February 18, 2022
ESRB
T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
Developer(s)
Guerrilla Games
Publisher(s)
Sony
Engine
Decima
Franchise
Horizon
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unsupported
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
29 Hours
PS Plus Availability
N/A
OpenCritic Rating
Mighty