Guerrilla Games has finally pulled back the curtain on its long-rumoured multiplayer project, and it looks way better than initial rumours suggested. Titled Horizon Hunters Gathering, this standalone experience is bringing tactical, three-player co-operative action to the PlayStation 5 and PC, and it looks like it might just be the shake-up the franchise needs.
If you’ve spent the last few years roaming the Forbidden West as a lone wolf, the transition to a squad might feel a bit daunting. However, Guerrilla isn’t just slapping a “multiplayer” sticker on the existing formula. They are leaning into a stylised new art direction and a gameplay loop that feels like a clever marriage between Monster Hunter and a rogue-lite.
New Faces, Same Lethal Machines
In Hunters Gathering, you choose from a diverse roster of specialised Hunters. Each comes with their own unique weapons (think heavy rocket-powered warhammers for the “tanks” or precision bows for the snipers) and a backstory that Guerrilla insists is fully canon.
As you progress through a mission, you will select perks to craft a build on the fly. It adds a layer of “just one more go” energy that was previously missing from the series. You aren’t just hunting for parts; you are hunting for that perfect synergy that makes your three-person squad an unstoppable force.
The Modes: From Waves to Dungeons
At launch (and in the upcoming playtest), players can sink their teeth into two primary modes:
- Machine Incursion: This is your high-intensity wave defence. You and your mates will defend against machines pouring out of underground gateways, all leading up to a massive boss fight.
- Cauldron Descent: This feels more like a tactical dungeon crawl. It features multi-stage trials in ever-changing rooms. You will need to keep your wits about you, as the layout shifts, hiding both brutal encounters and secret doors filled with loot.
Between these adrenaline-pumping outings, everyone retreats to the Hunters Gathering hub. It is a vibrant social space where you can customise your gear, visit vendors, and flaunt your latest trophies to other players.
Cross-Play and the February Playtest
The game supports full cross-play and cross-progression between PS5 and PC. If you start your journey on the couch but want to finish your upgrades at your desk, you can do so seamlessly, provided you are logged into your PlayStation account.
For those itching to get their hands on a bow early, a small-scale closed playtest is kicking off at the end of February 2026. You can register your interest right now via the PlayStation Beta Program.
It is a bold new direction for Guerrilla, trading the lonely vistas of the post-post-apocalypse for a rowdy, tactical team-up. But not unlike what they’ve been doing with the franchise, especally if you look at the very likeable LEGO game they built up around the lore.
