Horizon Hunters Gathering Is Copying 2024’s Greatest Live Service Game In The Best Way Possible

by

Since its announcement, Horizon Hunters Gathering has faced a lot of criticism online, and that’s led some people to miss its promising aspects. This reminds me of Concord, which, despite its issues, had the potential to bring something fresh to the crowded live service game market. That’s why I want to point out what Horizon Hunters Gathering is doing well, so people don’t overlook it based on first impressions.

I want to emphasize the single-player mode in Horizon Hunters Gathering, which didn’t get much attention in the initial trailer. This is a great addition for a live-service game and its fans, as it offers something a little different. It’s similar to what the popular live-service game Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 did successfully in 2024 by adding a story mode. This isn’t a negative comparison, though – a single-player mode could be exactly what Horizon Hunters Gathering needs to succeed.

Horizon Hunters Gathering’s Single-Player Mode Enhances The Live Service Elements

While Horizon Hunters Gathering definitely has its flaws, it’s done a great job adding a single-player story mode. Unlike Concord, which offered a big story you couldn’t really play, Horizon Hunters Gathering lets you experience missions either with friends or alongside two AI companions, just like the original games. This is key to the game’s potential long-term success for two main reasons.

Adding a story mode makes players feel more invested in the game world and lets them connect with the characters they might play for a long time. It’s a great way for new players to learn the fast-paced combat, and it gives longtime fans even more to enjoy in the Horizon universe. As the developers add new characters, the story mode will help players understand how each one plays, and it will make it easier for newcomers to jump in without feeling overwhelmed.

The game’s story is key to keeping players engaged and coming back for more. This is certainly what happened with the popular Space Marine 2 – its success led developer Saber Interactive to announce both Space Marine 3 and additional content for the original game. The story created a solid base, introducing important characters for the ongoing co-op mode and giving players a reason to continue playing.

Even if you weren’t interested in the story of Titus and his team, or the fate of the planets under attack by Chaos and Tyranids, the game’s fun combat would still keep you playing. However, the story in Space Marine 2 adds depth and purpose to the action, making it feel worthwhile. Horizon Hunters Gathering understands this, offering a game that will appeal to players who enjoy strong narratives, and also giving those looking for a long-term, evolving experience plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more than just new characters and game types.

Horizon Hunters Gathering’s Story Mode Could Keep It Going After Servers Are Shut Down

It’s incredibly disappointing when live service games shut down, taking all the progress and fun with them. We’ve seen fantastic games like The Crew and Battleborn disappear simply because the servers were turned off, and there was no way to keep playing. It’s a shame that so much effort from talented developers ends up becoming lost forever, existing only as a memory for those who once enjoyed them.

Having a single-player mode in Horizon Hunters Gathering should let people continue enjoying the game even after online support ends. If the game doesn’t gain traction and suffers the same fate as Concord, at least players who like it will still be able to play. It’s frustrating that I can’t experience Concord now, because the developers didn’t plan for the possibility it might not be a financial success.

Just to be clear, PlayStation and Guerrilla Games haven’t officially said there will be an offline mode. The game’s website only mentions needing PlayStation Plus for online features, and the ability to play solo with two computer-controlled companions. However, given the cancellation of Concord and other PlayStation projects, it would be smart for Sony to avoid letting their new Horizon game lose popularity once initial sales decline.

Even with its challenges, Horizon Hunters Gathering’s strong focus on storytelling could be what helps it succeed. The planned offline mode will be beneficial in the long run, and the current missions are a great way for players to connect with the characters and world, encouraging them to invest their time. Combining a compelling story with multiplayer gameplay feels like a natural progression for this type of game. It has the potential to attract all kinds of players, keep them engaged once they’re hooked, and make it easy for new players to jump in even after the game has been updated for years. Genshin Impact proved this approach can lead to massive and lasting success, and there’s no reason why Horizon Hunters Gathering can’t follow suit. Hopefully, the game will have the chance to prove itself.

Enjoying the story content from Horizon Hunters Gathering? Share your thoughts in the comments or join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/best-playstation-games-ps1-ps2-ps3-ps4-ps5/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-13 01:13