Alt text: A screenshot from Killzone: Liberation showing two characters, one in a futuristic suit and the other in armor.
Guerrilla Games, the studio behind the popular Horizon series, has officially confirmed that they have no plans to revisit their original franchise, Killzone. This news comes as the studio continues to expand the Horizon universe, solidifying their commitment to Aloy’s post-apocalyptic adventures. In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Guerrilla art director Roy Postma stated that the team was “done” with the dark and gritty shooter series when they began development on Horizon Zero Dawn.
From Dystopian Shooters to Robotic Dinosaurs: A Shift in Focus
Postma explained that the shift to Horizon was a conscious decision to “refresh the palette” and explore a different creative direction. The stark contrast between the bleak world of Killzone and the vibrant, nature-infused environments of Horizon highlights this intentional change. Guerrilla Games, established in 2003, initially gained recognition with the dystopian sci-fi first-person shooter Killzone. They subsequently released five Killzone titles, four of which were developed under Sony’s ownership. The last installment, Killzone: Shadow Fall, launched in 2013, marking the end of the franchise’s active development.
Horizon’s Expanding Universe and Killzone’s Legacy
Since then, Sony Interactive Entertainment has made little mention of the Killzone franchise. A few Killzone characters made cameo appearances in Astro Bot, a game celebrating PlayStation history, but otherwise, the series has remained dormant. The servers for Killzone: Mercenary on PlayStation Vita were shut down in 2020, further signaling the franchise’s inactivity.
Alt text: A promotional image for Lego Horizon Adventures featuring Aloy and a Watcher constructed from Lego bricks.
While Horizon Zero Dawn retained some darker themes, Guerrilla Games is embracing a more family-friendly approach with their next release, Lego Horizon Adventures, launching on November 14th. This playful reimagining of Horizon Zero Dawn features blocky characters, lighthearted humor, and simplified gameplay, aiming to introduce the series to a younger audience. A remastered version of Horizon Zero Dawn is also set to release on October 31st. Furthermore, reports suggest Guerrilla is developing an “Horizon online” experience in anticipation of a third mainline game.
The Future of Killzone: Uncertain but Not Impossible
Although Guerrilla Games has no plans to revive Killzone, the possibility of a revival by another studio isn’t entirely ruled out. The recent resurgence of remasters and remakes, like the upcoming Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered releasing on December 10th, demonstrates a potential avenue for Killzone’s return. However, for now, the focus remains firmly on the continued development and expansion of the Horizon universe.
While Killzone fans may be disappointed by this news, the success and ongoing development of the Horizon series showcase Guerrilla Games’ commitment to creating engaging and innovative gaming experiences.
