The year 2024 proved to be a landmark period for the beloved Horizon franchise, which has been captivating gamers for over seven years. This year’s lineup enabled fans, both seasoned and newcomers, to delve into Aloy’s origins with two unique game releases. In October, players experienced a revamped take on Horizon Zero Dawn through the launch of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, available on PlayStation 5 and PC. Following that, in mid-November, audiences were treated to a whimsical co-op journey via LEGO Horizon Adventures, compatible with Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC. Notably, the franchise was featured prominently in the September release of the 2024 Game of the Year, Astro Bot. As the Horizon universe flourishes with these significant releases, fans can anticipate even more thrilling developments in the post-apocalyptic series come 2025.
Anticipated Developments for LEGO Horizon Adventures in 2025
As LEGO Horizon Adventures stands as the newest entry in the Horizon lineup, anticipation is building among fans for further content or features from PlayStation, Guerrilla Games, and Studio Gobo in 2025. March will see the debut of the first official LEGO set related to this game: the 768-piece Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth set. This marks a milestone as it will be the first physical representation of Varl, the Shell-Walker, and Sawtooth in LEGO form. Previously, Aloy made her appearance as a LEGO minifigure in the 2022 release of the impressive 1,222-piece LEGO Horizon Forbidden West Tallneck set, which featured a mini LEGO Watcher.
Despite LEGO Horizon Adventures not achieving the sales figures desired by Guerrilla or PlayStation, the magnetic appeal of LEGO’s robotic animals is likely to drive the success of the new set on store shelves. Given the enthusiastic responses from fans eager to own the now-retired LEGO Tallneck set, it’s plausible that LEGO might consider reissuing it as part of the ongoing Horizon Adventures collection to satisfy both longstanding and newer fans of the series. Should these initial sets perform well, we could witness the creation of additional LEGO sets featuring iconic Horizon machines like the Corruptor, Deathbringer, Grazer, Longleg, and the massive Thunderjaw. Moreover, sets depicting locations from Adventures’ Mother’s Heart, complete with minifigures of characters like Erend and Sylens, could emerge.
Rumored Xbox Release for LEGO Horizon Adventures in 2025
In light of the game’s somewhat modest player base, there are swirling rumors suggesting that LEGO Horizon Adventures might soon make its way to Xbox Series S and X consoles in early 2025. This would mark a historic milestone, representing the first time a Horizon title could be available on Xbox platforms while also being the first Horizon game to launch on a Nintendo system. To bolster the game’s sales figures, PlayStation might consider making it accessible on Xbox consoles. Should this transition occur, it could signify an evolving relationship between Microsoft and Sony, as other speculation hints at a potential remake of Halo: Combat Evolved being made available on PS5 in the foreseeable future.
What Players Can Anticipate for New Horizon Games in 2025
While LEGO Horizon Adventures may enjoy sustained popularity through toy stores and a possible Xbox release, the franchise is also poised to roll out new games and products in the upcoming year. Speculation and Guerrilla’s job postings have hinted at the development of a multiplayer story-driven spin-off as well as an MMORPG spinoff by NCSoft, both set in the vibrant Horizon universe. There is chatter that the multiplayer game could launch in early or mid-2025, possibly coinciding with the release of Elden Ring Nightreign. However, given the absence of official announcements or trailers, these projects may not see a release until late 2025.
Details on the Multiplayer, Story-Focused Spin-off
Guerrilla Games has teased the development of a “separate online project set in the Horizon universe” since a hiring announcement in December 2022, which followed the launch of Forbidden West. It has been communicated that this online title will feature a fresh array of playable characters and a distinctive art style. While there has been a notable lack of updates regarding this multiplayer endeavor, indications from job listings suggest it will incorporate features such as matchmaking, player progression, cooperative challenges, and various Horizon tribes and machines serving as foes. It’s believed that the game will take on a format akin to a more narrative-heavy version of Destiny, with lasting engagement as a core objective.
Insider Insights on the NCSoft MMORPG Spin-off
Reports of an MMORPG based on Horizon being developed by the South Korean company NCSoft began circulating in 2022, and this partnership with Sony was officially confirmed in 2023. Tentatively titled Project Skyline, the details of this anticipated MMO remain largely unannounced. However, job listings and insider information suggest that the game will utilize Unreal Engine 5 and might debut on PC and mobile, with a subsequent possible launch on PS5. According to available information, Project Skyline aims to provide players with freedom and enjoyable, systematic gameplay. The expectation is that this MMO will launch after NCSoft’s own Aion 2, anticipated in mid or late 2025.
What to Expect from Horizon 3 in 2025
Should either the multiplayer or the NCSoft MMORPG spin-offs materialize in 2025, or if gameplay previews and official titles are revealed, fans might soon receive teases for the much-anticipated Horizon 3 to complete Aloy’s trilogy. Although Horizon 3 is confirmed to be in development, it remains in its nascent stages, as Guerrilla is currently absorbed in multiple projects, including LEGO Horizon Adventures and the multiplayer spin-offs. Insights suggest that the multiplayer game may release prior to Horizon 3, expected sometime in 2025, having been in the pipeline since 2018. Presently, it is known that Horizon 3 will feature Aloy as she takes a stand against the threat of the alien Nemesis.
As of early 2025, three years will have passed since the release of Horizon Forbidden West. Given Guerrilla Games’ ongoing engagement with several Horizon spin-offs, it would be logical for them to at least offer a glimpse of Horizon 3 next year. Historically, Horizon Zero Dawn was unveiled in 2015 and launched in 2017, while Horizon Forbidden West was first announced in 2020 but released in 2022. Thus, it’s reasonable to expect an announcement for Horizon 3 to take place in 2025, possibly accompanied by a teaser trailer or title reveal, although its full release may not arrive until 2027. This timeline aligns nicely with the franchise’s upcoming 10th anniversary celebrations.
So far, five titles have entered the Horizon universe: Horizon Zero Dawn, Horizon Forbidden West, Horizon Call of the Mountain, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, and LEGO Horizon Adventures.
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