LEGO Horizon's sets are taking a surprising turn

As well as a new game, LEGO Horizon has another set for enthusiasts to look forward to next year as the theme is taking a surprising turn.

LEGO Horizon Adventures is out now and while its corresponding LEGO set, of which pictures were revealed earlier today, isn't expected until March, comparing it to the now-retired 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck presents some staggering differences.

77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth not only adds a second Horizon minifigure, but the core concept of the model has changed compared to 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck, despite the presence of machines, scenery and tools.

The 2022 model depicts a massive static Tallneck on a black base presenting a slice of the Horizon world, including tall foliage to hide in and a Watcher lurking nearby. Comparatively, the 2025 model opts for two mid-sized machines with posable parts and tall foliage as detached models. Overall, play seems to be the focus of 77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth whereas 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck is better suited for display.

The boxes' design makes this clearer. 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck features the black background artwork that we've become accustomed to on LEGO sets aimed at older enthusiasts and primarily designed for display purposes. Instead, 77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth is designed for a younger audience, with a more colourful box evoking the style of the new LEGO Horizon Adventures game.

These differences may be because the 2022 set is specifically based on the more realistic Horizon title with an older age rating while LEGO Horizon Adventures is designed for all ages. Thankfully, the builds in 77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth are surprisingly comparable with 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck and while they're not displayed on a black base, their designs are just as accurate.

The play features of each set (as limited as they are in 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck) are nearly as comparable as the Aloy minifigures in both models, with functions accurately inspired by the game. For the docile Tallneck, that includes the ability for Aloy to scale the Tallneck to hack the machine at the top.

77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth has many more play features, including interchangeable elements for the bow to match the gameplay of LEGO Horizon Adventures and removable weak points for Aloy and Varl to damage and break off, accurate to all Horizon games.

There's no doubt that 77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth is a huge departure from the concept of 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck as LEGO Horizon leans into play while still offering accuracy, but there's much that the two sets share too, despite being released three years apart.

76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck has been retired for a year at the time of writing and 77037 Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth has no official release date or price as of yet, but rumours posit a $44.99 price tag and a launch in March 2025. For those who have the original model the presence of a more accurate bow, the two machines and Varl might persuade you to pick it up next year.

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