PlayStation isn’t done experimenting with the Horizon universe just yet. Following months of legal drama and MMO rumours, Sony has officially pulled back the curtain on another multiplayer project set in Guerrilla Games’ post-apocalyptic world. It’s called Horizon Hunters Gathering, and it’s shaping up to be a very different take on the franchise.

Horizon has been in the spotlight recently for a few reasons. Late last year, Sony’s lawsuit involving Tencent was resolved, resulting in Light of Motiram being delisted. Shortly after, PlayStation confirmed Horizon Steel Frontiers, an MMO in development with NCSoft for PC and mobile. Now, Hunters Gathering enters the picture as a third multiplayer project, this time targeting PS5 and PC.

From the reveal trailer, Horizon Hunters Gathering is clearly set in the same universe, but it immediately stands apart thanks to a brand-new art style that leans more stylized than the mainline games. Instead of playing as Aloy, players step into the role of Hunters, teaming up in squads of up to three to take on deadly machines in focused, repeatable combat encounters.

At launch, the initial playtest will feature three playable Hunters: Rem, Sun, and Axel. Each character brings a distinct playstyle to the table, with a mix of melee and ranged combat options and unique weapons designed to encourage team coordination. Guerrilla is leaning hard into class identity here, making squad composition and skill synergy a major part of the experience.

Combat appears to be the core pillar of the game. According to the developers, fights are designed to be tactical, reactive, and heavily skill-based, building on mechanics Horizon fans already know, like targeting machine components and exploiting weaknesses. The closest comparison is Monster Hunter World, but reimagined through the lens of Horizon’s machines and tech-heavy combat systems.

So far, two game modes have been revealed. Machine Incursion is a high-intensity mode where players face off against waves of machines bursting out of underground gateways, culminating in a powerful boss encounter. Cauldron Descent, on the other hand, is a multi-stage challenge that sends Hunters through shifting rooms filled with increasingly brutal enemies, hidden paths, and risk-reward choices tied to upgrades and loot.

Beyond these modes, Horizon Hunters Gathering will also feature a full narrative campaign. Guerrilla has confirmed that the story is completely canon, introducing new characters, mysteries, and threats that expand the Horizon timeline rather than sitting alongside it. Players will explore a range of environments, each offering different atmospheres, hazards, and strategic opportunities.

Outside of combat, the game includes a dedicated social hub where players can regroup between missions. This space allows Hunters to visit vendors, upgrade gear, manage loadouts, and team up with others before heading back out into the field.

Guerrilla Games is planning a small-scale closed playtest toward the end of February 2026. Players interested in future testing phases can sign up through the PlayStation Beta Program on both PS5 and PC. The game will support full cross-play and cross-progression, as long as players are logged in and saving through their PlayStation account.

With Hunters Gathering, PlayStation seems intent on turning Horizon into a flexible universe rather than a single-player-only franchise. Between this, Steel Frontiers, and whatever comes next for the mainline series, Horizon’s future is looking bigger, bolder, and far more multiplayer-focused than ever before.