Horizon Steel Frontiers Cites Monster Hunter Influence

Horizon Steel Frontiers looked to Monster Hunter as a "natural reference point" for its take on cooperative hunting. Here’s a closer look at the upcoming MMORPG's features and how it fits within the Horizon universe.

A Closer Look at Horizon Steel Frontiers

A Hunting System Inspired by Monster Hunter

Horizon Steel Frontiers, the soon-to-be-released MMORPG from Guerrilla Games' Horizon series, was inspired by Monster Hunter for its core hunting mechanics. In an interview with IGN on November 14, Executive Producer Sunggu Lee shared new insights about this sci-fi multiplayer role-playing game.

Lee explained that the Monster Hunter franchise was a major influence. "As we expanded Horizon's central idea of hunting massive machines into a multiplayer format, the cooperative hunting mechanics from Monster Hunter felt like an obvious and natural starting point," he said.

The development team realized early that merging Horizon's rich setting with the hunting action genre made perfect sense. By integrating the unique machine ecosystem, the strategic part-breaking system, and a compelling storyline, they have crafted a distinct experience that sets Steel Frontiers apart.

A Southern Story and Its Cast

Beyond gameplay, fans are eager to see how the game connects to the Horizon world. Lee confirmed that the story unfolds in the same universe, but within an entirely new and perilous region known as the Deadlands.

"While Aloy and her companions are battling for the world's future in the north, a new danger emerges in the southern Deadlands. Players will take on the role of machine hunters drawn to this hazardous frontier. As an MMORPG, each player becomes the protagonist of their own adventure, forging their own path through the Deadlands in a story that runs parallel to the events of the main series," he elaborated.

While it's not yet confirmed whether original characters will make an appearance, the game will offer extensive character customization, allowing players to design their hunter's appearance.

The options will range from a realistic style similar to previous Horizon games to a more stylized aesthetic popular in certain markets. "That said, because Horizon's foundation is built on realistic human proportions, we won't support exaggerated cartoon features like oversized eyes or extremely small chins. Our aim is to provide maximum variety within a believable framework," Lee added.

Hubs, Guilds, and Core MMORPG Elements

Within the Deadlands, players will find several hub towns that act as central social and logistical centers. These are where hunters will meet, prepare for expeditions, and upgrade their equipment before venturing out.

Outside these safe havens, players can form teams to tackle more formidable machines in structured, strategic co-op sessions. The development team is still testing and finalizing the ideal group size for these challenging encounters.

Regarding the series' iconic tribes, Steel Frontiers will shift focus from established tribal politics to field-based cooperation. "Gameplay-wise, we're emphasizing collaborative systems for taking down giant machines over traditional MMO-style territorial conflicts. At its heart, this is a game about working together rather than fighting each other," Lee stated.

For now, the primary focus is on perfecting the PvE (Player vs. Environment) experience, though the developers haven't ruled out adding PvP (Player vs. Player) elements in the future. Lee also underscored the game's MMORPG foundations, highlighting persistent character progression and ongoing social dynamics.

"Hunters at different stages of their journey, each with their own specialized style, will gather in the Deadlands—sometimes cooperating, sometimes competing—to face increasingly daunting threats. With each new season, fresh challenges will arise and the community will evolve. Steel Frontiers is designed as a persistent world, shaped by continual character growth and a dynamic, ever-changing player base," the producer concluded.

Horizon Steel Frontiers is in development for mobile devices (iOS and Android) and PC via NCSoft's PURPLE platform. A specific release date has not been announced. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to read our article below.