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Maintaining Tradition: Why Horizon 3 Should Stick to Post-Launch DLCs

Exploring the Importance of Continuing the Horizon Series' Post-Launch DLC Trend in Aloy's Ongoing Saga
Maintaining Tradition: Why Horizon 3 Should Stick to Post-Launch DLCs

Highlights

  • Horizon's legacy of post-launch DLC aligns with industry norms, enriching the game's narrative and prolonging player engagement post-main storyline.
  • Anticipation for a substantial DLC in Horizon 3 is high, driven by the success of past expansions like Frozen Wilds and Burning Shores.
  • The potential post-Nemesis storyline in Horizon 3 presents an exciting opportunity for expansive DLC content, further delving into Aloy's adventures.

Every gaming series follows its own distinct patterns, from release timelines to post-launch strategies and spin-off iterations. Horizon is no exception, and enthusiasts of Aloy's quest to safeguard the Earth are well-versed in the traditions upheld by Guerrilla Games. With speculation mounting around the development of Horizon 3 following the Burning Shores DLC's release a year ago, it's only natural to expect the next chapter to feature a substantial DLC, in line with past releases.

In today's gaming landscape, post-launch content is as crucial as the base game itself, catering to the ever-growing demand for additional gameplay. With DLCs known to significantly enhance gaming experiences, the expectation of supplementary content alongside new releases is almost a given, as exemplified by the success of Cyberpunk 2077's Phantom Liberty. Staying abreast of industry trends, Horizon has consistently embraced this practice since its debut in 2017, with acclaimed expansions like Frozen Wilds and more recently, Burning Shores, setting the stage for a potential DLC in Horizon 3 post-Nemesis.

Horizon 3 Should Realistically Feature One Big DLC

While DLCs in RPGs often veer off the main storyline, they offer fresh perspectives on the game world post-main quest completion. Horizon: Zero Dawn elevated this concept with the intricate narrative of its Frozen Wilds expansion.

Zero Dawn and Forbidden West's DLC Plans Hint at Horizon 3's Post-Launch Direction

Launched alongside Zero Dawn, Frozen Wilds introduced challenging Daemonic Machines that tested players at higher levels, garnering instant acclaim. Following Forbidden West's conclusion, speculation arose on how a DLC would fit without revealing too much about the Nemesis storyline. Burning Shores mirrored Frozen Wilds' approach, furthering Aloy's adventures and addressing perceived gaps in Forbidden West, which focused more on the broader universe.

Horizon 3's Potential DLC Explores Life Beyond Nemesis

With a year gap between Forbidden West and Burning Shores, the expected DLC release timeline for Horizon 3 follows suit. Sales data from Horizon Forbidden West supports the strategy of a single substantial DLC over multiple smaller ones, maintaining consistent pricing. While Horizon 3 may still evolve, it's likely to continue the established tradition, especially as Aloy's saga approaches a pivotal juncture.

The future DLC for Horizon 3 could delve into life post-Nemesis, allowing players to explore the aftermath of the epic clash between Aloy and Nemesis for humanity's fate. While the storyline's outcome remains uncertain – whether Aloy triumphs, Nemesis falls, or a new path unfolds – Horizon 3 presents a compelling narrative for DLC inclusion, upholding Guerrilla Games' tradition in the series' next installment.

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