There is much that theHorizonfranchise can be praised for, though it does have some weak points. For some gamers that weak spot lies with the Cauldrons, which can feel same-y at times.Horizon Forbidden Westattempts to mend this by providing Iota, a Cauldron that adds an exciting twist to things.
Horizon Forbidden West’s successor should learn from the Iota Cauldron and provide more Cauldrons that have unique rewards and affect the open-world. With theBurning ShoresDLC and the VR gameHorizon Call of the Mountainon the way, the franchise will have plenty more opportunities to continually improve. Hopefully, part of that improvement involves providing Cauldrons that are less predictable.
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The Cauldrons of the Horizon Franchise
Horizon’s world is a unique one filled with stunning scenery and menacing machines. Gamers spend most of their time exploring the open-world which never gets boring thanks to the varied biomes and the different tribes. Occasionally, the series takes things underground and has Aloy completing Cauldrons. These are large factories where machines are built, and they are filled with dangerous machines. As players learn inHorizon Zero Dawn, navigating Cauldrons is no easy task, and it is best to be prepared before entering one. However, the struggle is worth it, as completing a Cauldron givesAloy the ability to override more machines. Through overriding, Aloy turns machine enemies into her allies, and sometimes she can even mount them.
Though Cauldrons are fun, they can feel monotonous at times. They mostly look the same, as they are all metal chambers filled with factory machinery. Cauldrons make a return inHorizon Forbidden West, and they are bigger than ever. There are different obstacles to overcome, and with more machines to fight against, Cauldrons provide some of the game’s most exciting moments. The game also overcomes the problem of monotonous Cauldrons by introducing asurprise in the Iota Cauldron.
The Iota Cauldron of Horizon Forbidden West
The Iota Cauldron begins like any other, with Aloy entering the cauldron and almost immediately being greeted by machines that attack. As she delves deeper into the cauldron, she realizes that the Cauldron is for making Tallnecks. Consequently, after her adventure through the Cauldron, she is rewarded with abrand new Tallneck to override, which opens up more of the map in addition to giving her the ability to override more machines.
Climbing Tallnecks is always a blast, and combining it with a Cauldron is an ingenious method for giving gamers a new way to experience both challenges.FutureHorizontitlesshould build on this foundation and provide more Cauldrons that present a twist on the formula and offer unique rewards. Cauldrons that give Aloy new abilities or introduce players to new machine-spawning sites would be appreciated. It would also be great if future Cauldrons changed the open-world in a noticeable way, such as by introducing new areas for merchants. This would ensure gamers are always keen to take on Cauldrons, and it would guarantee that they never feel too identical.
Horizon Forbidden Westdoes a lot to improve on its predecessor, though it also inherits some of its weaknesses. The Iota Cauldron offers a window into what Cauldrons could become if they were designed to be more unique. The last game’s ending made it evident that Aloy’s story is far from over, so gamers may get the chance to witness even better Cauldrons that follow Iota’s lead.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available on PS4 and PS5.
