Since Horizon 3 is in the works, the discussion is no longer about whether it will impress but about how far Guerrilla Games can expand its technical and story ambitions.
The franchise has grown since Horizon Zero Dawn launched in 2017, selling millions of copies and adding spin-offs like a VR game and a LEGO adaptation.The third mainline game is coming, and there’s no doubt it deserves to move on from last-gen hardware.
Sony is reportedly planning a cross-generation release, which would bring Horizon 3 to both the PS5 and its next-gen successor, the PS6. This update improves accessibility for players who haven’t upgraded yet, but may also slow down the game’s full potential.
Horizon Forbidden West had to juggle that same situation. It delivered a beautiful but clearly limited experience on PS4 while holding back some technical details for PS5. Even so, it was clear that some design elements had to be toned down to work on aging hardware, notably AI behavior, environment complexity, and loading.
Conversations about generational divides in gaming have reached a peak, so Horizon should seize the moment to move ahead. Even though the PS5 is powerful, being five years old means its top edge is starting to wear down.
If backwards compatibility forces Horizon 3 to conform to old hardware ceilings, it could lose out on key advancements in level design, fluid transitions, and combat systems that the PS6 enables. But there is a bright side to a cross-gen release.
Hardware prices are climbing, and the economy is shaky, so many players can’t upgrade immediately. A PS5 version means millions won’t lose access to the game. However, it feels like the tradeoff is no longer justified because PC users enjoy Forbidden West with features like ray tracing, high frame rates, ultra-wide monitors, and mod support that improve the game beyond what consoles allow.
Beyond that, the PS6 opens the door for Horizon 3 to redefine what the franchise can do. After the Burning Shores DLC, the next chapter will dig deeper into Nemesis’ story, the AI flagged as the next major threat. Since the story is so extensive, it’s difficult to imagine the game not getting a boost from new hardware.
The emotional scenes, environmental grandeur, and combat styles all benefit from more room to develop. Only the PS6 can deliver this without PS5 limits. The studio’s current efforts are something to consider as well. Guerrilla Games is said to be focusing on a multiplayer Horizon spin-off first, and with Sylens being recast after Lance Reddick’s death, Horizon 3 probably won’t come out until late 2027 or later.
This timeline works well for showcasing next-gen features and gives devs time to use the PS6’s full potential. Some insiders even suggest Sony could position Horizon 3 as a launch or early-cycle flagship title for the new console.
For a series this ambitious and visually driven, staying tethered to the past could do more harm than good. Yes, broader availability is a benefit, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of what the experience could be. Horizon 3 can break new ground for the franchise and next-gen open-world games if it’s allowed to evolve naturally.
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