Horizon 3 is some way off, but one AAA RPG just unexpectedly delivered the next best thing

As desperate as many of us are for Aloy’s adventure to conclude in a potential Horizon 3, it’s not what’s on the cards next for Guerrilla Games.

Instead, the PlayStation first-party studio is in the midst of developing Horizon Hunters Gathering, a live service, tactical co-op game that precisely no one asked for.

PlayStation clearly didn’t have much faith in the project because it was unceremoniously revealed via a social media post. Yes, it didn’t even get a spot in a State of Play.

Following its reveal, Horizon Hunters Gathering has been running playtests but the reception has reportedly been so disappointing that the game may be rebooted with its live service components revoked.

I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s only going to delay Horizon 3 even further.

Thankfully, another AAA has surfaced with something that could scratch the itch we’ve all been left with.

I never thought I’d be looking to Crimson Desert to fill the hole in my heart left behind by Horizon’s absence, but that’s precisely what its new DLC is doing.

Crimson Desert’s DLC doesn’t simply appear to have taken inspiration from Black Flag

Crimson Desert has launched its first paid DLC, Charting The Unknown, and while much of the attention surrounding the DLC has gone to its Assassin’s Creed Black Flag-esque naval combat and underwater exploration, there’s something else that should appeal to Horizon fans.

Charting The Unknown features several hefty boss fights that see the player face off against massive mechanical beasts - and if that doesn’t scream Horizon, I don’t know what will.

Popular Twitter/X user TheRealZephyrss shared one such boss fight which showed the player facing off against Scrap Metal Queen Stoneback Crab, which has the feel of Horizon’s shellwalkers but the ferocity of the Horus boss.

“Crimson Desert developers have added some new Horizon Zero Dawn like machine bosses to the game,” the creator wrote. “It's crazy to think about how they're adding this much content in such a short period.”

This isn’t the only example in the DLC. The Clockwork Mantis, Storm Cruchers, and Thunder Tanks also have somewhat of a Horizon feel.

“This game is really all the games,” replied MR3Dev.

It’s for that reason that Crimson Desert has proved to be so divisive. Some love its sense of variety while others argue the game lacks identity.

READ MORE: Horizon 3 'far away' after PlayStation u-turns on live-service co-op spin off

Several Horizon projects have surfaced in recent years, except the one that fans really want

If you’ve already played the base game and just so happen to be a Horizon fan too, you’ll definitely get a kick out of aspects of Charting The Unknown.

If you haven’t played Crimson Desert, that’s a lot of commitment to ultimately get to a handful of boss fights, I’ll admit, but Crimson Desert isn’t the only place you can get your Horizon fix.

LEGO Horizon Adventures is well worth a play. It is on the shorter side, but its combat is actually among the best I’ve played in a LEGO game and really feels true to the base Horizon experience, even if the storytelling is a tad more farcical here.

You should definitely play Horizon Firbidden West DLC Burning Shores too, to prepare yourself for Aloy’s eventual final adventure - or go back to where it all began with Horizon Zero Dawn’s remaster.

It’s not the same as a new instalment, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt.