Source: PlayStation Blog
Guerrilla Games has officially revealed Horizon Hunters Gathering, a brand-new cooperative action game set in the Horizon universe, coming to PS5 and PC. The announcement comes directly from the PlayStation Blog, confirming a long-held vision to let players hunt machines together.
According to Guerrilla, the idea of cooperative machine hunting dates back to the earliest concepts of Horizon, evolving through years of internal testing, iteration, and multiplayer experience drawn from titles like Killzone and Horizon Zero Dawn.
What Is Horizon Hunters Gathering?
Horizon Hunters Gathering is a three-player co-op action game where players take on the role of elite Hunters tasked with protecting a world under siege by deadly machines.
Key pillars of the experience include:
- Tactical, reactive combat inspired by Horizon’s precision gameplay
- Strong emphasis on teamwork and skill-based encounters
- Fully canon story set within the Horizon universe
- Launching on PS5 and PC, with cross-play and cross-progression
Game Modes Revealed
Guerrilla has confirmed two core modes designed for replayability and challenge:
Machine Incursion
- High-intensity missions with waves of machines
- Enemies emerge from underground gateways
- Each incursion culminates in a powerful boss encounter
Cauldron Descent
- Longer, multi-stage trials
- Ever-changing room layouts
- Mix of brutal combat encounters and hidden rewards
- Encourages exploration, risk-taking, and team coordination
Both modes will be playable during the upcoming closed playtest via the PlayStation Beta Program.
Hunters, Roles, and Progression
Players will choose from a roster of uniquely skilled Hunters, each offering:
- Distinct melee or ranged combat styles
- Specialized weapons and abilities
- Rogue-lite-inspired perk system to shape builds
- Roles designed to complement team synergy
Each Hunter also carries their own personal motivations and story threads, feeding into a narrative campaign that Guerrilla confirms is fully canon and will continue beyond launch.
World, Social Hub, and Exploration
As you progress through hunts, you’ll travel across multiple environments, each with its own:
- Atmosphere and environmental challenges
- Machine behaviors and combat dynamics
- Opportunities for mastery through teamwork
Between missions, players return to Hunters Gathering, a central social hub where you can:
- Customize Hunters
- Upgrade gear
- Visit vendors
- Team up and prepare for the next hunt
- Celebrate victories together
Playtests, Cross-Play, and Community
- First closed playtest arrives late February
- Sign-ups available via the PlayStation Beta Program
- Supports cross-play between PS5 and PC
- Supports cross-progression using the same PlayStation account
- Official Horizon Hunters Gathering Discord is now live
Guerrilla has also promised regular development updates and future playtests in the months ahead.
Born With a Controller Take:
Horizon Hunters Gathering feels like a natural evolution of Guerrilla’s strengths, blending tactical combat, strong world-building, and co-op design into an experience that expands the Horizon universe without diluting its identity.
This isn’t just “Horizon with friends.” It’s a purpose-built co-op hunt that respects the franchise’s DNA while opening the door to something new.
If Guerrilla sticks the landing, this could be one of PlayStation’s most interesting multiplayer experiments yet. – Beast Out –