Horizon Forbidden West Story & Ending Explained! 

The fact that in forbidden west hades said this earth is the 6th version… gave me chills knowing GAIA didn’t actually succeed in her first try

If they make a third Horizon game, I hope the story ends with a cutscene that shows 1000 years into the future, after Aloy. To show what became of humanity and how they used their new chance of life on earth. Complete with a narration of Aloy herself and her hopes for the future of this planet she fought for.

I really like Aloy’s character development. She finally learns to trust and work with others. The world need not be all on her shoulders.

I love the main group I really do but it's so disappointing that Talanah didn't get to join as a permanent companion. She's one of the OG companions we had in ZD so seeing Erend and Varl but not her is such a shame

the DLC could also be about recapturing HEPHAESTUS... Aloy's team didn't fully merge it, and when Beta unleashed its capabilities in machine-making against the Zeniths, Sylens said that this act would allow it to escape. Also, apart from Hades that got deleted, it is the only icon missing from the final cutscene when Gaia got restarted.

Like many before me have already pointed out, this really felt like the middle of a trilogy. I can already tell there's gonna be a third one. Guerilla would be stupid not to. All in all, I really enjoyed the game. Probably one of the best I've played in a long time. I, for one, can't wait to see more

Seeing Gaia reformed actually had me kind of hyped. Imaging what they could accomplish for humanity moving forward is awesome to think about.

I loved this game, especially words Rust told to Alloy, when she was young: "When odds seams impossible, dig deep to yourself and fight, like you can win".

Loved it. The plot and lore is exquisite and quite original. Guerrilla should double down on the sci-fi cause they're on the right path!

The horizon universe could be as big as Star Wars if they wanted to. Every tribe has interesting stories. Every timeline is crazy. I’d play a game telling the story of the people in space or the first people to emerge from the cradle facilities on earth. Awesome game

I got a lump in the back of my throat when Sylens walked back down the stairs at the end. Can't wait for the next game, this one has been so perfect. If there's a NG+, once I platinum, I'll happily go through this again.

Things i predict might happen in the DLC: -It will take place in an island, possibly Hawaii, under Quen rule -Water mounts, either a small seahorse or a Tideripper -Aloy training Beta on how to survive and hunt in the wild -Hephaestus might be involved, but we won’t lock him up just yet -Mounting larger machines like Dreadwings

I’m still so sad about Varl. I’m glad he’s going to have a child to carry on his legacy!

Horizon 1 antagonist: AI Horizon 2 antagonist: Aliens Horizon 3 antagonist: Alien AI

if anyone's asking, the Quen have earlier models of Focuses that can't read any data beyond say 2050 or so, which explains why their Focuses look funny and why Ceo dude believes Faro saved the world (the Clawback era) with Elisabet helping him

My theory: The Quen will be the villains of the DLC, as they set up a LOT of potential conflict, describing how restrictive with information their hierarchy is in their territory. Also they were described as expansionist/colonizers so that's DEFINITELY potential for an antagonist faction going forward.

I enjoyed this game so much more than I did the first one, they have improved a lot.

This franchise was always gonna be a trilogy. However they could do some spin-offs. Potentially a game that takes place during the time of the faro plague. Obviously we know how it will end but it could still make for a powerful story.

This was an excellent video. Well spoken, well researched and well explained. Thank you for breaking it down and summarizing it in a way that was super easy to follow and understand while still going in-depth enough to actually cover the complex narrative I needed help understanding.

Knowing Sylens, he probably made a backup of Hades for himself before letting Aloy destroy it

Hepaesthus will be 100% be making more deadly machines. When you go back to the base after finishing the game, Beta will have left information called 'hephaestus revisited' where she explains how he is connected to the world networked, and he is 'supercharged' and has more tools power and capabilites than ever. Only god knows what types of monstrosities he could be making.

based on Tildas relationship with Elisabeth, the DNA source is most likely some of Elisabeth hair (or something) that Tilda kept as a memory of her.

Thank you so much for making this video! Exactly what I was looking for

Loved this game and it’s ending in particular. Fantastic character growth with Aloy. Was very touching to see Aloy and Beta hold each other together at the end with a rebooted GAIA.

IMO Quen seems a perfect place for DLC & dealing with Herphaetus and Nemesis with no doubt will be the boss of next game

My GOTY. Absolutely incredible story, characters, world, gameplay, graphics, etc. Aloy has also pretty much solidified herself as my favorite videogame protagonist of all time. Loved every moment of it ♥️

Thank you so much for a well produced, well edited, succint recap of a story that flies off the rails in a very metal gear, good kind of crazy way.

wow... this guy did a great job explaining the story! ... Liked and subscribed!!! keep up the good work man!

As much as I love the game's graphics, combat system, and Alloy as a protagonist, the lore of HZD and HFW is so damn good. Can't wait for part 3! Also bummed that we didn't get to single handily kill the Ceo ourselves.

If there is a DLC it should be a sequel to Frozen Wilds, since HADES is gone, adding the IA CYAN to GAIA would be a great help. It's powers to help preventing the Eruption to of the Yellowstone Caldera and it's empathy to human life could be a good addition to fight Nemesis. In the game GAIA mentions it can't feel the presence of CYAN, but acknowledges it's importance.

Thank you for the really helpful video! I picked up the DLC today and wanted a recap on the story of Forbidden West before starting. This was a really informative summary of a complex plot

Wow. That was mouth full! Thanks!

Its interesting seeing how Guerrilla are approaching a 3 act story compared to Bioware's approach. The Horizon story feels full defined as the first game hinted at 2 separate issues needing to be resolved (Gaia and Nemesis) while also dealing with the initial antagonist. Each game also holds back heavily in revealing this information to the player by leaving behind just enough breadcrumbs for the final reveal. Essentially, the story Guerrilla is telling feels like they developer took the time to flesh out the story before determining how the gameplay elements would be incorporated. Its an example of the story driving the gameplaye rather than the gameplay driving the story. This exact reason is why the Horizon games are my favorite, it's a novel we get to visually experience. I can't wait to see how the story wraps up with Nemesis in the final game.

Having just beaten this game myself, the Nemesis fight definitely feels like the end of a story. I can guess at how it will end in one of a few ways, but I'm excited to get there. But I'm curious as to how Nemesis even plans to destroy earth. How did it destroy Sirius? If it's a collection of rogue AI that happen to be digital recreations of human brains, how is it going to be any different than a jumped up version of Hades or Hephaestus? I could see it hijacking the Zero Dawn machines and the Faro robots, but that would be just be a rerun of these two games. Guess we shall see. I'd also like to see Aloy and Co start integrating some Zenith tech into their lineup. Bring back the Shield Weaver but much more advanced. Faster, nigh instantaneous weapon configuration changes integrated right into their armor. That would be pretty cool.

Thank you. You do such a good job with your vids. Hope your channel continues to grow. You deserve more subs.

Excellent storytelling, I watched this video 3 times today ( maybe more). Keep up the good work. 😎

Another thought about the DLC will be that in some of the forbidden info the Quen have can something help against the fight with Nemesis, another AI or something and I think that Hephaestus will be a Major key against Nemesis, not just because he builds the machines but also because he has evolved. Maybe the Quen can help in evolving Gaia and all her subfunctions

This games story went places I never expected. I am guessing we will get a story DLC just like Frozen Wilds but where it will take place I think is anyones guess. I saw someone mention Hawaii which would be awesome. As for Hephaestus he is probably the most interesting “character” to me. Our first “enemy” as it is he who programs the machines to attack humans but only as a means of self defense. After capturing Aether, Demeter, and Poseidon they all very willingly returned to Gaia, all saying something poetic about returning home to her. It makes me wonder why Hephaestus is so different. Hades makes sense because he was programmed to be the anti-Gaia, but Hephaestus’ resistance and evolution is unique to him and I hope that gets explained and also that his eventual capture perhaps changes Gaia in a way. Perhaps a compromise towards his point of view because what happens when terraforming is finished? Well I assume the machines would be phased out, maybe with Hephaestus’ convincing a new robot race can coexist with humans. But all of that said Heph won’t be captured in the DLC that will happen in the next game, have to have a reason to keep hunting and attacking machines. If Gaia gains control I assume all machines would just give parts or material to humans rather than having to fight. Also returning to Heph, I wonder what robots he can make in the next game given he was plugged into the Zeniths printer and I assume was able to get their schematics on such technology. But one thing I need in game three is more robot dinosaurs fighting other robots, like a lot more of that and in big long cutscenes lol.

Yo this was GREAT. you rock.

A lovely recap! Thank you 😊

I really enjoy the fiction this game is set amongst. I don't like this style of game, so I watched all of the cutscenes etc in one long video for the first game. This story explainer has been great and I would love it if the developers could license someone to write books about this world and its history; just like the HALO books set in Forerunner and Precursor eras. Great video!

And the third game I hope that Sylens and Aloy have a much stronger working relationship. At first I hated the guy for doing what he did with Hades and the end of the first game. But now I know it was necessary. Sylons has more of a cold and calculated message and strategy while Aloy has more compassion. I think if they were to work together they can balance each other out and ultimately come up with a better solution. I also hope there is a way to keep Hephaestus as an independent AI . If Hephaestus remained a subordinate function oh, it would have never been able to build the Combat Machines that you see in the game. There really should be a way for Gaia and Hephaestus to work together as equals.

Great breakdown. Appreciated dude 👏🏾👍🏾

Good video - best bit was your hunch on DLC content & third game

I havent played this game yet but wow the improvement of facial animations from this game to the last is astounding

something you didn't mention is that Tilda and Elizabeth were lovers, Tilda has been in love with Elizabeth all this time and when she learns about who Aloy is she sees the true essence of Elizabeth in her and kinda "falls in love" with Aloy in a sence? that's why she can't go without her. There is also Beta She could have just kept Beta and that's it, but Tilda doesn't see Beta as equal to Elizabeth, we can guess she was expecting her to be (since she tried to know her better by meeting her in private and ofering her more knowledge) but was disapointed as Tilda says it in the last conversation we have with Aloy.

Thanks for great explanation. Hope fully they produce part 3

Thanks for the recap! Excited to jump into the DLC soon.

Well done on this video, man. That is a lot of information to go through and you laid it all out very clearly. I absolutely love both Horizon games (got a rib tattoo of the original 5 cauldrons to prove it) and cannot wait to see what they do next.

I love the sequel it's better in every way but near the ending it was a little rushed and nemesis made everything feel useless

Absolute Banger Video......Excellent

Great work as usual 10/10

If you talk to all the characters in world post credits it definitely puts emphasis on what there plans are for nemesis/ hephetus

I feel like there's a danger of going too crazy with a 3rd game. The Zeniths pushed the sci fi element a little far, but it did work. Too go further would be a mistake. I do wonder what purpose Nemesis has on Earth now the Zeniths are gone. Or how an AI... flies through space. Wait and see I guess, the writers have certainly delivered so far.

Bro this video was so in depth and good u are underrated

Here from your God of War: Ragnarok explanation video and definitely will be subscribing. Thank you for your amazing content!

Horizon just continued to be my favorite series. Can't wait for the dlc and part 3.

I thought the Zeniths in general were a little much and it got close to jumping the shark but the game saved it. I think the personal stories and character writing was best, like Aloy learning to accept help instead of trying single handedly save the world, and even Sylens turning. Horizon's writing is best to me when it stays more grounded.

Great video! Thank you !

Thanks for this breakdown

Love this game. Was a great sequel to Zero Dawn. My guess is that the DLC is recapturing Haephestus.

The overall story of HFW is weaker than HZD. Not bad but weaker HOWEVER to anybody considering playing this game or buying it the story plays second fiddle to the smaller narratives and subplots in the game. The Las Vegas mission, the Quen mission, the Regalla and companion missions really sell Aloy as this capable individual. The Las Vegas story alone is one of the best subplots in the game and really is a great contained story. And even tho predictable at times I felt a sense of compassion for a ton of characters in the game. It’s emotional for sure. The combat is fun and the music is second to none, plus there’s plenty of endgame content to keep you playing afterwards. To that end the “wacky sci-fi stuff” is a double edged sword. The writers at Guerilla place A LOT of responsibility in the player’s hands. In order to truly understand you have to read important data points that flesh out the lore. Horizon at its heart is an exploration/archeology based game. Literally unearthing mysteries is what you do. So if you can’t do that and rush through the story you’ll have to suspend belief more than anything. It’s a good follow up but even I waited to play HZD until about a year after it released. So I get the trepidation. HFW is an intense exercise in patience for sure, it rocks the boat and I didn’t really appreciate the Zenith intro, I would have preferred a more mysterious take but I guess they wanted us to understand the stakes. Nemesis should have also been handled more delicately perhaps in a DLC. There’s some complaints but overall it’s a bit expected considering the stakes. I personally loved the overall game but to be fair the subtle moments are greater than the sum of all the plot points. Other than that once they clean out the bugs it’ll be even better but if strict story guidelines are a little much for you Elden Ring is a better option.

This was a huge help!

Thanks for the summary! I really loved this game (and the last one) and can't wait to play the DLC tomorrow! :)

Just finished the game today and OMG it’s so good

You can catch beta talking to an unknown person that she obviously didn't want aloy to hear,if you sprint into her room on the base shortly after she joins. Its a major loose end. Nothing is ever said about this

Thank you for that video❤

Very good video, very well summarized, thank you very much

You posted this video literally two days after the game released and I wasn’t even close to finished so I obviously didn’t bother watching it then. I finally beat the game last night after 70 hours so I’m coming back to this video 😂 Excellent recap 👏🏼 Personally I was pretty blown away by the story. It trumps the narrative of its predecessor by a mile. I was utterly fascinated with the Zeniths, but I felt they could’ve been fleshed out more. They literally only show up at the beginning (at the HADES Proving Lab) and towards the end, but we never get to see anything from them in between. For one I was really interested in learning how they became so advanced and achieved immortality, as well as what their colony in Sirius was like, but that was only vaguely covered. There were also ten Zentihs but we were only familiarized with three of them. Thus, I feel they could’ve played a bigger role in the story rather than just looming in the background. Besides that, there were so many good moments, like learning about Ted Faro’s fate which sent chills down my spine (but I’m really annoyed they didn’t let us see what he turned into 😂). Lastly, the characters were so much more likable in this game than in the first one. I actually resonated with more than just Aloy - I became emotionally invested with all members of my squad, so seeing Varl die hit hard. Everyone had their character arcs and were well written. The final assault on the Zenith base was fucking epic and although I have a couple gripes with the conclusion (like not explaining what happened after they recovered APOLLO, ELEUTHIA, and ARTEMIS from the Zenith ship-or how they retrieved them in the first place), I found the story to be pretty amazing; leagues and leagues above HZD’s story. This isn’t even considering the gameplay, which was absolute fire and easily the best out of any PlayStation exclusive. The game lived up the hype and I’m so on board for the sequel 🙌🏼 I really hope it’s not gonna be another five year wait though 😖

AMAZING breakdown. I think you covered all the relevant plot points. Props Edit: agreed. They are probably working on the sequel rn if they aren't taking a break, which they deserve. They really fed us and I'm full 😂 gotta digest now

Great vid!

absolutely great thank you

I thought the "bad guy" was going to be Hepheastus but I liked the Zeniths twist (didn't die and evolved), which you could argue was kinda told at the begining when your search for that backup of Gaia. The real bad guy is how humanity tried again and again to become something more and gain more power without really thinking and caring about the consecuenses. First the Faro plague and then Nemesis. I wish we go to Asia, South America (I'm Peruvian :D ) or Europe to search for ways to fight Nemesis but also so people know that Nemesis is comming, because if it takes part of the world (via haking machines and Hephaestus) I feel like it could like Matrix and the Machine city almost imposible to enter.

Damned i love that series the sequel is well crafted ,i was hoping the upcoming DLC we can face another machines like gorilla and other ancient type animals and the quen tribe i was hoping they expand greatly they have little exposure on that sequel and one more thing the Shield weaver please bring it back in armory selections not some kind of skills

Great video! Keep it up :)

Great recap of both games. One teeny tiny nearly insignificant gripe. Your pronunciation of Ted Faro like far-o. But it's pronounced like Pharaoh, which I think went to Ted's head. That's why he named his bunker Thebes (once capital of Egypt}. The Chariot line (chariots became popular back then) is full of ancient Egyptian references; scarab, khopesh & Horus. Also kinda funny is Elizabeth Sobeck's name. Sobek is the Egyptian crocodile god.

Elizabeth sobek is not technically aloys mother...she's technically alloy. She's an exact genetic clone with identical dna. That's not how mothers work lol

A DLC might be about recapturing hephestus. Sylens did say he was let loose again at the zenith base

I loved the story. Gr8 work on this video

that is BY FAR the best, most concise synopsis of H:ZD I've ever seen.

I had a harder time connect with the story personally. I loved the story of the Zero Dawn. One of the most important aspect of the first game for me is slowing uncovering the secrets of this world. Finding out how the humanity was wiped out, what those roaming machines are, and how life was saved felt awesome. Forbidden West doesn't really have that IMO. I cared about the story of Zero Dawn because that's the story of the world we're exploring. What happened to the Zenith, I don't really care, since that's a different world. Gameplay-wise though, Forbidden West is epic.

If there is going to be a DLC for Forbidden West, I think it will have us return to the Nora Sacred Land. Aloy needs to inform Sona of Varl's death and existence of her future grandchild. The whole plot might even revolve around Sona going through the five stages of grief, now that both of her children are dead. Losing a child is the most painful thing that can happen to a person.

Great retelling, also RIP Lance Reddick

Great summary!!!

See you all in 5 years when the third game releases. 😭

I would love a Horizon: enduring victory game. A prequel where we can play a solider in the MRB fighting the swarm

Good breakdown bro!

Amazing story. Just finished the game and now it makes more sense with ur video

thank you for making this . i personally liked it a lot . this story it gives more info compare to the first one . but I have questions about the Hephaestus : at the end of the game beta released Hephaestus in order to create machines to fight . did they take it back or Hephaestus ran off completely? is Hephaestus still corrupted ???

loved this game, i cant wait another 5 years tho >:(

This is a perfect recap to get up to speed again for the Burning Shores DLC, thank you!

Amazing review for amazing game 😉well done dude

I wished from HZD that the signal was from the Odyssey and that they survived. But the execution of the plot is so over the top when the first one was such elegant science fiction... Imagine human descendents from the Odyssey and how magical could be the interaction between 2 "worlds" with a lost past

I find it weird how casually people seem to take the end of the world in zero dawn.

Great recap, I enjoyed the story

you earned a subscriber

There Will be a trilogy the gaming company already confirmed it so their will be a third horizon so can not wait the second and first game we’re great

I hope we get a DLC soon where they capture Hephaestus again and fully merge it into Gala. If we got into a third game without it that will be a big plot hole

Fantastic video

Amazing video.