Guerrilla has pulled back the curtain on Horizon Hunters Gathering, a new cooperative action game set in the Horizon universe that’s coming to both PlayStation 5 and PC with full cross-play and cross-progression support. Players can already sign up for a closed playtest happening at the end of February.
This isn’t your typical Horizon experience (check my review on the Horizon Forbidden West if you haven’t played it yet). Horizon Hunters Gathering is built around three-player co-op, where you and two others take on the role of Hunters protecting the world from waves of deadly machines. The combat system takes the tactical precision the series is known for and adapts it for team-based play, meaning coordination and skill matter more than ever.
The game revolves around challenging, replayable hunts across two revealed game modes so far. Machine Incursion throws you into high-intensity missions where machines flood out from underground gateways, all building up to a boss encounter that’ll test your team’s preparation. Cauldron Descent takes things further with multi-stage trials featuring ever-changing rooms that push Hunters through brutal machine fights and hidden doors that offer power-ups and rewards for teams willing to take the risk.
Both modes will be available in the upcoming closed playtest through the PlayStation Beta Program on PS5 and PC, giving players an early chance to experience how the game handles.
Players pick from a roster of Hunters, each with their own distinct melee or ranged playstyles and weapons. The system goes deeper with Hunter roles and a rogue-lite perk system that lets you craft builds matching your preferred playstyle and team composition. So any character you pick can be made into a Healer, for example. Each Hunter comes with their own motivations and secrets that connect to the broader Horizon world.
There’s a narrative campaign in the works that introduces new mysteries, characters, and threats, though Guerrilla is keeping story details close to the chest for now. What they have confirmed is that Hunters Gathering is fully canon to the Horizon universe, and the story will continue beyond launch with ongoing content.
Missions take place across various environments in the wilds, each with its own atmosphere and challenges for teams to tackle together. Between hunts, players head back to Hunters Gathering, a social hub where you can connect with other players, customise your Hunters, visit vendors, upgrade gear, and form teams for the next adventure.
The first closed playtest launches at the end of February. Still torn between playing on my PC or PS5 but players who are interested in participating can sign up through the PlayStation Beta Program and mark their interest for any future Horizon Hunters Gathering playtests on PC or PS5. More details are available on the PlayStation blog, and you can check out the YouTube trailer for a closer look at gameplay.
