Guerrilla Games has finally lifted the lid on Horizon Forbidden West following its announcement roughly one year ago with a State of Play presentation dedicated entirely to the title. Featuring roughly 15 minutes of gameplay ripped from a PlayStation 5, the sequel dazzles with gorgeous and colourful visuals that bring this new environment to life. Heroine Aloy is also kitted out with a few new tools, including a grappling hook and a glider. You'll see both in action in the gameplay trailer embedded above.

Over on the PlayStation Blog, narrative Director Ben McCaw explains that the sequel takes place six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn. "Aloy, a machine hunter, has travelled west to investigate a mysterious and deadly blight. In these uncharted lands, she will meet strange new tribes and encounter ever more deadly machines. Together with old friends and new companions, she must brave this dangerous frontier to find the answers she needs to save life on Earth."

Then there are the new tools Aloy has to utilise, the first being the Pullcaster. This is essentially a grappling hook, which speeds up climbing and makes it much easier to perform. The glider is known as the Shieldwing, and a Diving Mask opens up the ocean for further exploration. "Not to mention big upgrades to her Focus, which now shows areas that allow free-climbing and gives her the ability to override more machines for mounts or combat."

As for a release date, another update is said to be right around the corner. "We don’t have an exact release date yet, but development is on track and we’ll have an update for you very soon." Were you impressed by this new glimpse at Horizon Forbidden West? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

[source youtube.com]