Guerilla Games' 2017 hit Horizon Zero Dawn and its recent follow-up Horizon Forbidden West were a breath of fresh air in the video game market. In a medium that is flooded with remakes and sequels to decade-long series, a brand-new IP featuring a strong female protagonist was a welcome addition. The combination of an original open world setting with challenging but enjoyable gameplay ensured that both Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West were hits, but the unique stories in both titles elevated them to another level. Exploring the post-apocalyptic landscape littered with antagonistic machines as the imperturbable Nora hunter Aloy gave players a chance to experience a vast world filled with surprisingly touching stories and moments of humanity.