Horizon Zero Dawn 2: Release, Platforms & Story
In this guide, we provide information on the current status of Horizon Zero Dawn 2 and address these points:
- When will the sequel be released?
- Voice actors, motion capturing and all other rumors
- What is the story of the second part about?
- Is Horizon Zero Dawn 2 coming to Playstation 5?
Last update: 01.11.2019
Aloy fought her way into the hearts of PS4 fans with determination and courage in Horizon Zero Dawn (). The refreshing concept of the post-apocalypse, the multi-faceted open world, an exciting story, and giant machines as enemies were also convincing. High time for a second part.
Guide table of contents
- Release date: When will Horizon Zero Dawn 2 be released?
- MoCap and voice recordings for Horizon Zero Dawn 2?
- Voice actor spills the beans - Horizon Zero Dawn 2 confirmed?
- Will there be Horizon Zero Dawn 2 for PS4, Xbox One & PC?
- Story Theories: Second part with Aloy again or with new main character?
- Solutions for Horizon Zero Dawn at GameZ.de
1. Release date: When will Horizon Zero Dawn 2 be released?
At the moment, this has not been officially determined, and the announcement of a second part has also not been made as of today. But Aloy fans should not despair yet - after all, there are some hints that developer Guerrilla Games is working on new projects. So will there be a Horizon Zero Dawn 2?
We assume that they are already working on a sequel behind the scenes. What makes us think that? The studio behind the action role-playing game is currently looking for new employees.
These job postings don't mention the title Horizon Zero Dawn 2, but they still give some hints. The skills in demand include, for example, "telling dramatic stories in open world games," "a focus on [creating] natural environments," optimizing weapon systems or combat mechanics.
Furthermore, during an interview at E3 2017, Shawn Layden expressed great interest in continuing the series, saying, "Herman Hulst [CEO of Guerrilla Games] has a very clear vision of where he wants to go with Horizon - and it spans several years. I think we'll be in business for a long time with Horizon." Shawn Layden is his chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, which includes the makers of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Hunter Aloy is fully in her element.
According to our estimates, a release in 2019 is unlikely. Horizon Zero Dawn celebrated its PS4-exclusive release in this country on March 01, 2017, and the new job postings at developer Guerrilla Games sound a lot like they are looking for new employees for a sequel. We expect a 2020 release, possibly as a launch title for the PlayStation 5.
2. MoCap and voice work for Horizon Zero Dawn 2?
So the future for the series looks very bright, although no official announcement of Horizon Zero Dawn 2 has been made yet. However, Janina Gavankar, who worked as a voice actor in the Frozen Wilds DLC of Part 1, confirmed the existence of the sequel in April 2019.
In October 2019, Darren Randall - animation artist at Guerrilla Games announced.. - on Twitter that the studio for MoCap recordings would have been in Sweden. The tweet, which has since been deleted, was captured by Pushsquare. It did not directly mention Horizon Zero Dawn 2, but we strongly assume that it was a recording for the second part of the action adventure.
As soon as we have new information about the development status, we will update this guide.
3. Voice actress blabs - Horizon Zero Dawn 2 confirmed?
Actress Janina Gavankar gives us probably the biggest hint that Horizon Zero Dawn 2 is already in development. Gavankar embodied "Tatai" in Horizon Zero Dawn's Frozen Wilds DLC and has also appeared in Star Wars Battlefront 2 () as "Iden Versio."
During an interview at Star Wars Celebration 2019 in April, Janina Gavankar said in reference to Horizon Zero Dawn:
"It's incredible. Wait until you see the sequel, you're going to die. I know some secrets, you will die." (Quote translated from English)
With this, the voice actress has unofficially confirmed the development of Horizon Zero Dawn 2. It can also be assumed that Janina Gavankar's character will also be in the sequel. You can watch the interview from Star Wars Celebration 2019 here.
4. Will Horizon Zero Dawn 2 be available for PS4, Xbox One & PC?
Our guess is that the second part will also be available exclusively on PlayStation 4. The responsible studio Guerrilla Games belongs to Sony, and Sony Interactive Entertainment is also the publisher. Accordingly, a release platform other than an in-house one is highly unlikely.
As mentioned before, Horizon Zero Dawn 2 could just as well usher in the next console generation. This is supported by the great success of Aloy's first adventure and the fact that the brave huntress is called the "new PlayStation icon" on the official PlayStation website. The strong identification with her points to another console exclusive.
SoPC gamers and Xbox One owners will once again have to reckon with not being able to play Horizon Zero Dawn 2 on their platforms. Whether the release will end up being a PS4 or PS5 exclusive cannot be predicted at the moment. Perhaps Sony's next console flagship will even offer backwards compatibility, which would take away some of the importance from this point.
5. Story theories: Second part with Aloy again or with a new main character?
The current lack of information only allows for speculation. Neither leaks nor official details about Horizon Zero Dawn 2 have been released to the public so far. The fact that the shady Sylens captures HADES at the end of Horizon Zero Dawn speaks for a sequel with Aloy (spoiler!). A renewed threat for Nora, Carja & Co. would be possible, you can read more about story theories in another of our articles.
At the same time, you'll find hints about what's going on outside the map you're on in the first part. An area called "Forbidden West" stretches west of the Carja area to the ocean. A new open world would offer more than enough potential for new machines, fresh challenges as well as a new main character.
On the other hand, we think a departure from Aloy is very unlikely. Possibly, developer Guerrilla Games solves this dilemma with a co-op mode or by splitting the story between two protagonists. Smashing corrupted machines together in multiplayer mode would certainly fulfill fan wishes.
We assume that the gameplay will be the current job postings at the studio responsible for Horizon Zero Dawn 2 will not change anything from the first part - assuming that the tasks listed include the implementation and optimization of weapon and camera systems or combat mechanics.
That sounds to us as if the second part will build heavily on its predecessor. This way of working should simplify and speed up development on a sequel. At the end of this guide section, however, we would like to point out once again that we are only speculating.
6. Solutions for Horizon Zero Dawn at GameZ.de
While you wait for Horizon Zero Dawn 2, we will provide you with numerous guides to the predecessor. For example, we have a solution for breeding grounds and bridges in Horizon Zero Dawn, as well as a guide for finding all allies in Horizon Zero Dawn. We also have information on how to start the "New Game Plus" mode as well as our big machine solution book for Horizon Zero Dawn with tips on how to defeat Corrupters, Deathbringers & Co.
How to find all the energy cells for the Shieldweaver armor, how to kill the Versenger in the DLC, or how to find Blauglanz in "The Frozen Wilds" of Horizon Zero Dawn - we'll report on that in additional guides. You can also read about the real-world locations you'll discover in Horizon Zero Dawn's open world.
Visit us on Facebook and Instagram and discuss your favorite games with us.