Horizon Zero Dawn fans in love with surprise PS5 return

I want to preface this by saying that if you’re attempting to avoid Astro Bot spoilers, you may want to revisit this article at a later date.

If you’re still here though, that means you’re ready to talk about that Horizon Forbidden West-inspired level.

As a major Horizon fan myself, I can tell you that I shrieked with excitement as soon as that little Aloy popped up on my screen.

The way in which Astro Bot brought to life the franchise’s world was just so excellently done.

Hearing that music, reuniting with beloved characters, swooping underneath the legs of a tallneck, firing at blaze canisters … it all felt like a homecoming - and one that’s got me hyped for LEGO Horizon Adventures later this year.

In addition to Aloy, players will also acquire bots inspired by Erend, Rost, Sylens, and watcher and charger machines.

One eagle-eyed fan also spotted another character nod hidden within the ‘Machine Learning’ level.

LEGO Horizon Adventures doesn’t have a release date just yet but will launch in the remainder of 2024.

“Has anyone else played the Astro Bot game and noticed that Elisabet is in the horizon level of the game?” Reddit user PhoenixMartinez-Ride pointed out.

“Towards the end of the level, there is a skeleton sitting on a stone seat/bench, which is [obviously] a reference to the scene in ZD where Aloy finds her body. I saw it and thought it was such a cool detail for Team Asobi to have added,” they continued.

“I watched a video of it. And yeah, the end of the level did seem to me like an obvious nod to the ending scene of HZD,” added KnossesTNC pointing out that they also spotted references to the first game’s War Bow and the sequel’s Sharpshot Bow.

“You can even sit next to Elisabet,” said Pentel_Energel.

“I also noticed the little bot version of Aloy is wearing an Utaru outfit,” said No-Combination7898, while others praised the ‘blunderjaw’ fight - a play on Horizon’s thunderjaws.

Team Asobi did a great job at capturing the magic of the franchise, infusing the level with wonderful little Easter eggs.

It’s certainly got me hyped for the next Horizon release and I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that.