With the upcoming releases of bothHorizon Zero DawnRemasteredandLEGO Horizon Adventures, many new players will be jumping into theHorizonfranchise for the first time. Here, players will be able to embody Aloy for the first time, whether in her regular human appearance or her more comedic LEGO form, as she sets out on her quest of self-discovery and world preservation in a robot-filled landscape. Along the way, Alloy will encounter numerous tribes struggling to survive in the post-apocalyptic western United States, each with their own customs, beliefs, and cultures that deepen theHorizonworld. Although players will encounter only a handful of tribes inZero DawnandAdventures, there are many other tribes found in theForbidden Westand beyond.
Horizon Zero Dawn’s Tribes Explained
The Isolationist Nora Tribe
The Nora will be most players’ first tribe they encounter as they are Aloy’s home tribe. Residing in the mountainous Sacred Lands believed to be set in Colorado, theNora are a matriarchal, isolationist tribethat worship a being known as the All-Mother who they believe created all life as well as the animalistic machines. Due to this belief, the Nora seldom interfere with the environment, with most of their structures being made of wood, and view technology in a negative light, particularly due to another belief that the Metal Devil corrupted the world and tried to kill All-Mother. Anyone who goes against these beliefs or leaves the Sacred Lands is considered an outsider and is forbidden to return, save for Seekers.
The Monarchal Carja Tribe
One of the most prominent societies players will encounter throughout theHorizonfranchise is the Carja. Believed to have descended from ancient Nora outsiders, the Carja are one of the most advanced and widespread tribes having claim to lands all over the western U.S. Unlike the Nora, theCarja are patriarchal and worship the sunas a deity, while an entity known as the Buried Shadow is believed to have destroyed the Old Ones and prophesied to do so again with the Carja. Led by the Sun King and Sun Priests, the Carja historically viewed other tribes as barbarians, though they have often made alliances with other tribes for resources and expeditions.
The Forging Oseram Tribe
The Oseram are one of the more technologically advanced yet sporadic tribes found in theHorizonfranchise. Instead of being commonly found in a centralized town or region, Oseram settlements are scattered about the U.S. as far as the Forbidden West in the form of villages led by family clans. Unlike the Nora or Carja, Oseram culture is not centered around religion but rather honor, craftsmanship, and the discovery of old technology.Every Oseram settlement is equipped with a forgewhere most craft their own armor and weapons from raw iron instead of recycled machine parts. Due to their widespread nature, the Oseram can often be found trading with other tribes and performing other services, such as constructing buildings, alongside serving as the Carja’s Vanguard.
The Shamanistic Banuk Tribe
Far to the north within the frozen wild mountains of Montana, reside the Banuk. A nomadic people, theBanuk live in small clans called weraksmade of tents and small fire pits. To the Banuk, challenges and overcoming adversity are everything, as no Banuk would dare shy from an obstacle. This can be seen in their technology, as they typically don’t utilize foreign technologies that can make life easier and instead develop their own tools, such as the Icerail and Stormslinger. In terms of faith, the Banuk worship the Blue Light, a universal life force found in both machines and animals. Due to this belief, the Banuk often treat machines with respect and weave cables through their skin in a show of reverence.
Horizon Forbidden West’s Tribes Explained
The Battle-Hardened Tenakth Tribe
Deep within the forests, mountains, and deserts of post-apocalyptic California and Nevada called the Forbidden West, lies a tribe forged in combat: the Tenakth. These western warriors have their culture traced back to the ruins of the Mojave Battlefield Memorial Museum. Here the Tenakth based their lifestyle on glitched holograms of the military unit JTF-10 and their combat strategies. From there, theTenakth were split into the Desert, Lowland, and Sky Clansand succumbed to generations of war with one another and other tribes, including the Carja. Despite the wars, Tenakth hold a deep sense of honor towards each other and outlanders who can prove themselves in combat.
The Choral Utaru Tribe
Directly east of the Tenakth Desert Clan Capital, Scalding Spear, players will find the lush farmlands of Plainsong, home to the Utaru tribe. Unlike the Tenakth, the Utaru are primarily made up of pacifists who spend their days farming or taking part in ritualistic singing. However, the Utaru will defend their land from invaders if they’re left with no other choice. The Utaru’s culture and beliefs are directly derived from seven triceratops-like Plowhorn machines found near the Western Grand Array dishes. EarlyUtaru saw the Plowhorns as land-godsdue to their routine fertilization of the local landscape and the song-like hums they produce. Utaru society is largely based on musical structures, being led by an oligarchy called the Chorus.
The Seafaring Quen Tribe
The most mysterious tribe found inHorizonso far is the Quen. Unlike the previously mentioned tribes, the Quen do not originate from the post-apocalyptic U.S. and instead stem from the Asian mainland or island Cradle facilities across the Pacific Ocean. Early on in their history, theQuen gained access to older models of Focus deviceswhich gave them access to troves of old world knowledge. This led them to center their empire on ancient humans they call the Ancestors and the discovery of ancient knowledge. In search of data to help their homeland, the Quen built a fleet and sailed east to the Isle of Spears and Burning Shores of the sunken California region.
New tribes have been introduced in everyHorizonvideo game so far, with the exception ofHorizon Call of the Mountain.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the critically acclaimed Horizon Zero Dawn™ with stunning new visuals and upgraded features. In a far future where colossal machines roam the Earth, pockets of humanity survive in unique tribes among the lush, overgrown ruins of our long-lost civilization.
