Guerrilla has revealed new details on the metal beasts of Horizon Forbidden West.
In a new PlayStation Blog post, principal machine designer (what a title!) Blake Politeski explains the process of designing some new beasts that will feature alongside the existing designs from the previous game.
The aim is to create an authentic world with a believable ecosystem. For example, one new machine will be the giant flying Sunwing.
Horizon Forbidden West – State of Play Gameplay Reveal | PS5 Watch on YouTube
Politeski explains: “we knew we wanted a slightly bigger flying machine than the Glinthawk, which resulted in the Sunwing – but it needed a place and a role in the world.
“We studied various flying reptiles and primitive birds for inspiration, and came up with the concept of their wings collecting solar energy during sunny weather. This in turn created an interesting gameplay dynamic: Sunwings will be vulnerable when they are harvesting solar power, but are also more alert to potential predators when they are idle.”
Another new beast is the Tremortusk, as shown in the initial gameplay trailer.
“The Tremortusk is based on a mammoth with a nod to the historic and cinematic examples of the great war elephants. It has many different attacks and a body covered in various guns. Apart from using its tusks to attack up close, it also has different elemental weapons it can use. The one we see in the trailer is controlled by a rebel faction of the Tenakth, but you can also find them wandering the wilds,” explains Asset Art Lead Maxim Fleury.