The new gameplay trailer for “Horizon Hunters Gathering” focuses on the hunter Shadow and provides concrete insights into her mechanical abilities before the next closed playtest starts on Friday.
The new trailer shows the Carja agent Shadow in direct combat against familiar machine creatures such as Sentinels, Longlegs, and the massive Thunderjaw. At the heart of her unique gameplay is a tamed Stalker companion that actively supports her in battle, bringing a completely new dimension to the cooperative gameplay. With swift sword strikes, she shatters armor plates in melee combat, while bolt shots keep enemy groups at bay.
A new approach to the combat system
Previously, the gameplay of the co-op spin-off heavily relied on the classic combination of direct ranged and melee combat. Shadow breaks this pattern through the targeted use of a companion machine. The interplay with the stalker, as seen in the trailer, reveals a tactical depth that should benefit the game after the harsh community criticism of its perceived lack of gameplay. The hit feedback of the melee combos feels impactful. The attacks appear precisely placed to exploit weak points.
Guerrilla Games uses the material shown for “Horizon Hunters Gathering“also to lay the foundation for the coming closed playtest to be released, which takes place from May 22nd to 25th, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC. Important for those who dislike playing in a three-person team with strangers: the test integrates AI support for solo players for the first time. Those starting the new story episodes alone can fill their team with the already familiar hunters. This at least partially alleviates the constant online requirement of the live-service model.
The trailer looks mechanically sound and shows that the hit feedback is accurate. Nevertheless, skepticism remains high within the community, as many fans would prefer a true "Horizon 3." Shadow offers gameplay variety, but the upcoming playtest will have to prove whether the core loop provides long-term motivation. It won't be a guaranteed success.
Are you intrigued by the new mechanical approaches with the machine companions, or does the co-op concept of the Horizon world still leave you completely cold?
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