Horizon Forbidden Westis filled with beautiful scenes, well-drawn characters, and exciting Machine fights that push the player and Aloy to their limits. While Machines are responsible for much of the death and destruction caused around the world, their primary objective was originally to help terraform the planet and make itlivable again following the Faro Plague.
These machines are self-replicating, which means that they work to create other machines which carry out various functions to help the terraforming process. All the machines that players come across inForbidden Westand its predecessorZero Dawnare built in Cauldrons, large facilities managed by theartificial intelligence GAIA with the sub-functionHEPHAESTUS overseeing construction of the machines themselves.
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The Creation of Cauldrons and Machine Design
Cauldrons are created by machines under the control of GAIA and her sub-functions. By creating these Cauldrons, the machines can increase their ranks and ensure that any shortages are covered by the use of additional units.Various machine types also guard the outside of Cauldronsto prevent any damage to the factory within.
Cauldron design has remained the same in bothHorizon Zero DawnandHorizon Forbidden West. Their doors are giant dark triangles that look alien compared to anything else around the post-apocalyptic world. The inside of the Cauldron have numerous metal cables intertwining and forming corridors that lead to a core room where the machines are created. This room usually houses a console that stores information about the machines, and this is where Aloy learns how to override whatever she encounters
The Cauldrons inHorizon Forbidden Westare responsible for creating various types machines that fulfill a number of tasks for the terraforming process. These units work in unison to furtherthe goals set by GAIA, and are in constant communication with each other through machines such as Tallnecks.
Acquisition Class
These machines are the main ones responsible for terraforming the planet by harvesting resources GAIA can use. Each machine within this class is tasked with harvesting one of three resources: Blaze from plant life, Chillwater from bodies of water, and Processed Metal Blocks from destroyed machines. A few examples of machines in thisclass are Lancehorns, Bristlebacks, Chargers, Snapmaws, and Tiderippers.
Combat Class
Combat Machines are responsible for the protection of other machines, and are usually equipped with powerful weapons that can deal long-, mid-, and close-range damage to anything threatening other machine classes. These machines were only released after humans were re-introduced to the world because the HEPHAESTUS sub-function hopes to protect its machines from being hunted. Examples ofthis class include Clawstriders, Sawtooths, Thunderjaw, and Tremortusks.
Recon Class
The recon machines serve to detect any threats and alert other machines around them. They are the simplest machines, often the first ones that Aloy learns to override, and their only advanced feature usually rests within their ocular sensor. Examples of recon machines are Burrowers, Longlegs, and Watchers.
Transport Class
The sole purpose of the transport class is to assist Acquisition machines by moving large amounts of cargo. These machines usually house some sort of storage chamber that carries one of the three harvested resources. Examples of transport machines are Shell-Walkers, Fire Bellowbacks, and Behemoths.
Communication Class
There is only one type of machine that falls under thecommunication class, the Tallneck. These machines are used to communicate the location of resources to GAIA so other machines can be sent to acquire them. They are the only machine with no offensive capabilities, and were the only ones not affected by the Derangement.
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Cauldrons are also responsible for designing the machines, giving machines certain harvesting tools, weapons, and sensors, that will benefit their process. It is the HEPHAESTUS sub-function that will design new machines to improve the process within one of the classes. Cauldrons are the reason that the planet has recovered from the Faro Plague that destroyed all life, and it was through Cradles that humans were able to survive.
While machines may seem to be mere enemies, and the Cauldrons simply dungeons, the reality is that machines are helping the planet. Aloy understands the importance of these machines and the Cauldrons thanks to research she has been able to conduct via her Focus. No matter what the future of the franchise holds, these machines and the Cauldrons that create them will likely not be going anywhere.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available on PS4 and PS5.
