Horizon’s Aloy Isn’t an Industry Plant, but Sony Makes Her Feel like One

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The Horizon game series from PlayStation is generating a unique response among gamers, as various enthusiasts express diverse opinions about the franchise. The main character, Aloy, has been a topic of intriguing discussion, with some fans extolling her contributions to these games and others alleging that she’s just an industry-created figure.

Although facing some strange allegations, Aloy’s proven sales triumphs and favorable feedback suggest she isn’t a mere industry pawn. Nevertheless, the high profile of this character may explain why Sony has excessively utilized her, potentially fueling those accusations.

Initially, when Horizon Zero Dawn debuted, it was hailed as a refreshing addition to PlayStation’s intellectual properties. Despite not introducing anything particularly novel in terms of gameplay, players were captivated by its intriguing concept of AI dominating humanity. Additionally, the expansive open world offered an enjoyable exploration experience, and fans were willing to overlook the common elements such as stealth mechanics, combat, and tower hunting that are typical in this genre.

As a passionate fan, I couldn’t help but be drawn to Aloy as the protagonist in our first game. Her background as an outcast from her village tugged at my heartstrings, making me root for her. Moreover, her witty comments and optimistic demeanor endeared her to me instantly.

It’s no surprise that Sony noticed Aloy’s growing appeal among fans and decided to capitalize on it by showcasing this character extensively. At first, they managed her popularity tactfully, limiting her appearances mainly to a guest role in Genshin Impact, a unique first for guest characters, DLC expansions for her game, and the release of Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition at no cost during the 2020 pandemic.

In the sequence of events, Horizon Forbidden West served as the follow-up to the original game, yet it garnered a diverse response from its fanbase. Although the gameplay boasted enhancements such as a more expansive environment and refined combat mechanics, Aloy’s character received substantial critique.

There were numerous instances where people made unfair comments about her appearance, which can be disregarded altogether. Among these comments, there were also some constructive criticisms regarding the reset of her character due to the new setting causing a scarcity of familiar faces and Aloy being overly witty. Despite this, the game was well-received and sold well, but The Forbidden West did manage to alienate some fans from her.

As a gamer, I can confidently say that diving back into Forbidden West’s Burning Shores DLC was like reuniting with an old friend. The journey was brief yet satisfying, and it certainly reignited my admiration for Aloy. This time around, we were introduced to a potential love interest that added layers of complexity to her character, making her feel more real and relatable.

Of course, there were some who showed a rather hostile reaction, but I choose to focus on the positive aspects of this expansion. After all, it’s no secret that the internet can sometimes attract individuals with questionable intentions, so their negativity can be dismissed as bad-faith actors.

Unfortunately, this is where Aloy and Horizon’s popularity started to fizzle with some fans.

As a devoted fan, I was thrilled to acquire the Horizon Forbidden West: Complete Edition for both PS5 and PC, an exciting development indeed! However, what followed left me somewhat puzzled – the unexpected arrival of the Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, a version that seemed more like an unwelcome surprise rather than something eagerly anticipated. It’s hard to understand why this remaster was necessary when there didn’t appear to be any clamor for it among fans.

The visual improvements in this “Remastered” edition were questionable at best, with many fans expressing their dissatisfaction and even likening Aloy’s appearance to a character filtered on TikTok. It left me scratching my head, as I couldn’t help but wonder if the decision to remaster Zero Dawn was driven more by corporate interests rather than the desires of its dedicated fanbase.

The moment when Horizon and Aloy reached a critical juncture occurred when it was announced that LEGO Horizon Adventures would be available on PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. While the gameplay was generally well-received, many players found it hard to understand the appeal given that another Horizon game had only recently been released. The simultaneous announcements of Forbidden West for PC, a remastered Zero Dawn, and LEGO Adventures sparked accusations from fans that Aloy might be an industry plant.

It’s undeniable that Aloy and Horizon won’t disappear anytime soon, given they have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Evidently, there is a large fanbase eager for more of this universe. However, the emphasis on sequels and remakes to populate the PS5 library has caused some dissatisfaction among fans, casting a shadow on both the series and PlayStation as a whole.

As a passionate admirer of the Horizon series, I’d humbly suggest that both PlayStation and Guerrilla Games take a moment to pause before releasing the next installment. While I yearn for more adventures with Aloy, it seems Sony might need to give her character the attention she deserves, ensuring that her story continues to shine.

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2025-03-24 16:21