Sony’s new multiplayer Horizon game faces backlash, skepticism, and big expectations before launch.
If you have followed PlayStation for any length of time, you already know what Sony does best. The company has built its reputation on strong single-player, story-driven games that focus on immersion, characters, and cinematic presentation.
That is where PlayStation shines. But when the conversation turns to live service games, things become much more complicated. Over the years, Sony has repeatedly tried to break into the live service market, and more often than not, those attempts have ended in disappointment.
When you look at Sony’s recent history, you see a long list of multiplayer and live service projects that were either cancelled or quietly abandoned. Games connected to major franchises like The Last of Us, Twisted Metal, Spider-Man, and God of War were all planned at some point, yet many of them never made it to release.
Others were shut down early. There have been a few releases, such as Destruction AllStars and Gran Turismo 7, but only Helldivers 2 truly stands out as a major success. It managed to find an audience and build momentum without feeling like it was chasing trends.
One of the biggest reminders of Sony’s struggles in this space is Concord.
It was reportedly positioned as a massive new franchise, poised to become a long-term hit. Instead, it collapsed almost immediately after launch. Within weeks, it was shut down, refunds were issued, and the game earned virtually nothing despite massive investment. That failure still hangs over every new live service announcement Sony makes, showing how risky this strategy can be.
Right now, Sony still has several live service projects in development. One of the most notable is Marathon from Bungie. After delays and major revisions, the game looks better than it did before, but it is still in a wait-and-see position. Improving visuals and mechanics is one thing. Building a stable, long-term community is another.
The project drawing the most attention at the moment, however, is Horizon Hunters Gathering. In early February 2026, Sony suddenly announced this new multiplayer Horizon game with little buildup.
Horizon has always been known as a single-player series focused on story and carefully designed progression. Fans expect deep narrative arcs, meaningful character development, and a sense of discovery unique to one of Sony’s biggest games of all time. Turning it into a live service was not something most people were actively asking for.
When you look at Hunters Gathering, it is essentially Horizon reimagined as a co-op, mission-based monster-hunting game. It borrows heavily from titles like Monster Hunter and Dauntless. You gather in a central hub, form a team, and head out into different biomes to hunt machines and complete objectives.
At the same time, it adds a more character-focused structure. Each playable character has a distinct appearance, set of abilities, weapons, and role. You are not locked into one playstyle, but every character still feels unique.
The game also leans into roguelite-inspired modes. One of them, Machine Incursion, has you fighting enemies, collecting randomized upgrades, and preparing for a final boss fight while a shrinking zone pushes you forward.
Another mode, Cauldron Descent, works like a multi-stage dungeon with different chambers that you clear in sequence. These systems are designed to make each run feel different and encourage repeat play.
It is a proven formula that has worked for other roguelite games. The problem is not necessarily the gameplay concept itself. The bigger issue is whether these mechanics align with Horizon fans’ expectations for detailed world-building, character focus, and emotional storytelling.
Visually, Hunters Gathering is a major departure from the mainline series. Instead of realistic environments and grounded character designs, the game uses a more stylized, animated art style. Many people have compared it to Arcane, Spider-Verse, Fortnite, and Borderlands. Characters are more expressive, colors are brighter, and the overall tone is more playful.
Horizon is usually associated with serious storytelling, high stakes, and a world that feels believable even when dealing with sci-fi elements. Fans expect mature themes and a grounded narrative, so it makes sense that they are skeptical. In Hunters Gathering, the tone feels more relaxed.
Characters appear more confident and less weighed down by consequences. For fans who value the series’ emotional weight and realism, the game now feels like it has lost part of its identity.
The early reaction online reflects that discomfort. When the announcement trailer went live, the dislikes far outnumbered the likes. Comment sections filled quickly with sarcasm and disappointment. Some people joked about Sony repeating the same mistakes. Others questioned why Guerrilla Games, once known for franchises like Killzone, was now focusing on a colorful multiplayer spin-off. The overall mood was far from enthusiastic.
A major reason for this negativity is simple: live service fatigue. You probably feel it yourself. More and more games are asking for constant engagement, daily logins, seasonal passes, and ongoing spending. When single-player franchises start shifting in that direction, it feels like another space is being taken away from traditional, self-contained experiences. Instead of getting the next big story-driven Horizon game, you are being offered another platform that wants your time and money.
That frustration is compounded by reports that Hunters Gathering is diverting resources from Horizon 3. The next mainline single-player game is still in development, but it is not the studio’s top priority right now.
Guerrilla is focused on getting the multiplayer project finished first. If you are someone who mainly cares about Aloy’s story and the single-player experience, that is hard to accept. It feels like the series you love is being sidelined.
At the same time, it would be unfair to say the game looks bad.
The combat animations are smooth, attacks flow well, and the overall presentation is polished. You can tell real effort has gone into it. If this were a brand-new IP without the Horizon name attached, people might be more open to giving it a chance.
This situation is familiar. Studios with single-player strengths—BioWare (Anthem), Arkane (Redfall), and Crystal Dynamics (Marvel’s Avengers)—all struggled after pivoting to live service, damaging trust and reputations.
Whether Hunters Gathering succeeds will depend on several factors that are still unknown. Monetization is one of the biggest. First impressions will also be crucial. Live service games depend heavily on strong launches. If large numbers of players show up on day one, the game feels alive and stable.
If they do not, it quickly feels abandoned. Right now, the early reaction suggests hesitation rather than excitement. That does not mean failure is guaranteed, but it does mean the game has a difficult road ahead.
Another challenge is competition. Live service games do not just compete on quality. They compete for your time. They want you to commit to them long-term. If you already have one or two games filling that role, convincing you to add another is extremely difficult. Hunters Gathering will need to offer something truly compelling that stands out.
Looking at Sony’s broader strategy, it is clear the company is still searching for its big multiplayer breakthrough.
They keep investing in live service projects, hoping one will become a long-term success. Sometimes it works, as Helldivers 2 showed. More often, it does not. Even Bungie, which Sony acquired for live service expertise, is facing challenges with Destiny 2 and mixed reactions to Marathon.
So, where does that leave you with Horizon Hunters Gathering? Probably somewhere in the middle. You can see the potential for fun, especially with friends. You can imagine enjoying the hunts, experimenting with builds, and tackling bosses together, but simultaneously, you can see the risks. And they outweigh the positives that may come from the game.
Right now, the most honest reaction is cautious skepticism. You are not rushing to get excited. You are waiting for betas, hands-on previews, and real player impressions. Until then, Hunters Gathering remains another bold gamble in Sony’s ongoing live service experiment.
