Erend

Lore & Background

Erend's narrative arc is deeply intertwined with the personal history of his friend, Ersa. In the comic series Horizon Zero Dawn: The Liberation of Meridian (or simply The Liberation of Meridian), set during the events of Horizon Zero Dawn between the missions 'The City of the Sun' and 'The Grave-Hoard', the story follows Erend and Aloy as they hunt Korl, an Oseram assassin responsible for the murder of an Oseram named Jorvik—a killing tied to Ersa's disappearance. Through this journey, Erend recounts the "Liberation of Meridian," detailing Ersa's escape from Carja captivity and their role in unifying the Oseram and Carja resistance.

The Protagonist's Journey

Aloy serves as the central figure across the franchise, beginning her story as an outcast of the Nora tribe in the post-apocalyptic United States. Her narrative arc is defined by a quest to uncover her origins, which ultimately reveals she is a clone of the 21st-century scientist Elisabet Sobeck. This discovery connects her to Project Zero Dawn, an initiative designed to restore life after the ancient world was destroyed by self-replicating military robots.

Throughout her travels, Aloy utilizes an augmented reality device known as a Focus to navigate ruins reclaimed by nature and battle animal-like machines using stealth and tribal weaponry. Her journey expands from stopping the rogue AI HADES in the first game to confronting the Far Zeniths and the vengeful Nemesis in later entries. Alongside allies like Sylens, Erend, and her cloned sister Beta, she consistently works to prevent extinction-level threats while navigating complex conflicts between various human tribal societies.

Evolution of the Game World

The Horizon universe is set in a 31st-century landscape where nature has overtaken the ruins of human civilization, creating an open world filled with mechanical fauna. The series originated from art director Jan-Bart van Beek's concept and is primarily developed by Guerrilla Games for Sony Interactive Entertainment. While initially exclusive to PlayStation consoles, the franchise has expanded its reach to Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, and upcoming mobile platforms.

The narrative scope grows significantly across titles; the main games explore different regions of the United States, from the snowy Cut region in the Frozen Wilds expansion to the volcanic ruins of Los Angeles in Burning Shores. Spin-offs like Call of the Mountain introduce new protagonists such as Ryas within the Sundom, while Lego Horizon Adventures offers a family-friendly, slapstick retelling that downplays the darker apocalyptic lore for cooperative multiplayer fun.

Critical Reception and Commercial Success

Since its debut with Horizon Zero Dawn in February 2017, the franchise has garnered mostly positive critical acclaim and achieved massive commercial success. Industry awards have recognized the series for its tactical combat systems, intricate worldbuilding, and high visual fidelity. Scholars have further analyzed the games for their exploration of environmental ethics and the symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature.

As of November 2025, the franchise has sold over 40 million units globally, establishing it as one of Sony's best-selling first-party properties. This success has spurred a diverse media expansion beyond video games, including comic books, Lego sets, and tabletop adaptations. The popularity also paved the way for future projects like the MMORPG Steel Frontiers and a feature film adaptation currently in development.

Future Expansions and New Formats

Upcoming titles include Horizon Steel Frontiers, an upcoming free-to-play MMORPG developed by NC that will be available on Windows and mobile devices. Set in the Deadlands region inspired by Arizona and New Mexico, this game focuses on machine hunting and faction-based combat without a PlayStation release. Additionally, Horizon Hunters Gathering is announced as a cooperative multiplayer experience. The franchise's multimedia reach extends to a feature film adaptation of Zero Dawn currently in production.

Reader's Guide

Erend serves as a key ally for players navigating Horizon Zero Dawn and its associated media. The comic miniseries Horizon Zero Dawn: Liberation (2021-22) follows Aloy and Erend as they hunt Korl, an Oseram assassin linked to the death of Erend's sister, Ersa, while Erend recounts the Liberation of Meridian.

Did You Know?

• The comic series Horizon Zero Dawn: The Liberation of Meridian was co-created and written by Anne Toole, expanding on Erend's backstory beyond the main game.
• Erend is an Oseram hunter, a tribe distinct from Aloy's Nora origins, yet he becomes one of her most trusted allies in the fight against HADES.
• The Lego Horizon Adventures game (2024) features Erend as a playable character alongside Aloy, Varl, and Teersa in a family-friendly retelling of the original story.