Horizon Fans Praise gameplay, Question Character Design in New MMORPG “Steel Frontiers“
Seoul, South Korea – The recently unveiled gameplay trailer for Horizon Steel Frontiers, the upcoming MMORPG set in the Horizon universe, has generated significant excitement among fans – tempered by concerns over the game’s character designs, particularly its female characters. while the game’s environments, machine combat, and move sets appear faithful to the established horizon franchise, many players are expressing disappointment with a perceived shift towards more conventional, idealized aesthetics.
the author of this report finds the presented female characters reminiscent of heavily Photoshopped images, diverging from the more grounded and realistic portrayals of women in Horizon Zero dawn and Horizon Forbidden West. “For me, this makes them stand out from the usual harmonious world and character design,” they write, contrasting the new designs with Aloy and other female characters from the original games. This sentiment echoes a broader concern that the designs feel interchangeable with those found in many Asian MMORPGs, such as Throne and Liberty, Aion 2, and Sword of Destiny.
The critique isn’t about the characters’ attractiveness, but rather a departure from the Horizon series’ established visual identity.The author notes a preference for Aloy’s attainable physique, achievable “with enough training and discipline,” and a connection to the more relatable female characters previously presented. Despite acknowledging the likelihood of limited character visibility due to armor, the author expresses a desire for the game to maintain the series’ commitment to a visually realistic representation of women.
Despite these concerns, the overall impression of Horizon Steel frontiers remains positive.The gameplay showcased has been widely praised, with community reactions mirroring the author’s enthusiasm. A recent article on mein-mmo.de highlights player excitement, with many comparing the game favorably to Monster Hunter.
The author concludes with cautious optimism, stating, “the game makes a very good first impression on me and I’m very excited to see what happens next.” Further community discussion and progress updates will likely determine whether the character design concerns are addressed before the game’s release.
