Horizon: Steel Frontiers - A New MMORPG in the Post-Apocalyptic World

Forge Your Path in a World of Steel and Wilderness

The Dawn of a New Horizon

Guerrilla Games and NCSoft have officially revealed "Horizon: Steel Frontiers," an online multiplayer role-playing game that reimagines the beloved PlayStation series. This new installment transports players to a sprawling, post-apocalyptic realm where the primary objective remains the same: confronting and overcoming massive mechanical dinosaurs. However, this time, players will assume the role of personalized "machine hunters" within an expansive environment drawing inspiration from the distinct topographies of Arizona and New Mexico.

Platform Strategy and Development Insights

Interestingly, "Steel Frontiers" is confirmed for release on PC, Android, and iOS devices, but a PlayStation 5 version is conspicuously absent from the initial announcement. Jan-Bart van Beek of Guerrilla Games highlighted that the game has been meticulously engineered with mobile platforms in mind. It's crucial to differentiate this NCSoft-led project from the "Horizon Online Project," an independent online spin-off currently being developed by Guerrilla Games internally.

Visuals and Gameplay Expectations

Preliminary footage suggests that "Steel Frontiers" boasts impressive visuals for a mobile title, maintaining the series' signature aesthetic. The game's open world appears as vibrant and detailed as its console counterparts, and the mechanical creatures retain their intricate designs. Initial observations from the video reveal the inclusion of mounts, both aerial and terrestrial, allowing for dynamic traversal. Players can strategically board Tallnecks to gain an advantageous position, and the combat system emphasizes targeting weak points and utilizing traps. A grappling hook feature is also evident, enabling players to engage flying mechanical beasts with agility.

Exploring the Deathlands and Core Concepts

Van Beek disclosed that the game's setting is known as the Deathlands, an environment where players will "share the frontier with thousands of others, sometimes collaborating to defeat machines, and at other times vying with rival factions or competing for vital resources." Executive producer Sung-Gu Lee concisely articulated the central theme of "Steel Frontiers," stating that its essence lies in "the exhilaration of confronting and vanquishing colossal machines."

Innovations in MMORPG Combat

Lee further elaborated on how the combat mechanics will diverge from the original games, emphasizing a design specifically tailored for MMORPGs. He provided examples of these new features: "After incapacitating a particular section of a machine, players can swiftly close in and ascend it using a Pullcaster, deploy traps on the damaged area, and inflict various status ailments. During engagements, it's even possible to acquire weapons dropped by machines, transport them to your mount, and employ them in subsequent battles."

Franchise Footprint and Future Outlook

NCSoft, a Korean developer renowned for titles such as Guild Wars 2 and the Lineage series, recently launched Throne and Liberty. Their previous brawler, Battle Crush, was discontinued five months after its June 2024 debut. The Horizon franchise has achieved significant global success, selling over 38 million copies, a testament to its widespread appeal. Its influence is so substantial that Sony is currently engaged in legal action against Tencent over a game that allegedly bears a striking resemblance to Horizon Zero Dawn. Details regarding the release date, pricing model (whether paid or free-to-play), for Horizon: Steel Frontiers are yet to be announced.