Absolute Masterpiece of storytelling, gameplay and graphics! As a big fan of the first HZD game and the stellar actually very possible story of mankind I was worried how the development team would translate and link the story into the second game. Now after couple of hours into it I absolutely can tell you they did another masterpiece of game and story here. Well done Guerrilla and Sony! Absolute must have and play for this season. And let the non-gamers be jealous they will never experience this kind of story and graphics pleasure.
41 Reviews
Great sequel, but suffers from unnecessary additions
bakerstreetdozen11 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed the first game and this was my most anticipated game in awhile. I can't say I'm exactly disappointed, it's extremely fun. But there are certain changes that they made that just...didn't need to be made. Like fixing a problem that didn't exist.
Examples:
-The weapon system has become extremely convoluted. Whereas in the first game, each weapon had its own specofic set of ammo types that were fairly consistent even when you got better equipment throughout the game (sharpshot always had tear, warrior bow always had hardpoint and fire, elemental bows had shock and ice, and tripcasters and blastslings usually had explosive/shock/ice), here things are different. There are still different kinds of weapons and ammo types, but there is no consistency in what weapon has which ammo type, and with each weapon having typically 3 ammo types, I can guarantee you you'll end up with overlapping types at some point. I almost always end up with multiple weapons with acid ammo, but I require all those weapons for the other ammo types they have that DON'T overlap. Additionally, there is a standard, advanced, and elite version of every type, making it absolutely ridiculous later on in the game as you can even have more than one of the same type equipped to one weapon.
-Dodge rolling was a useful tool in the first game to avoid enemy attacks, especially if you had the long roll skill unlocked. There is no long roll here, and the short roll takes too much time to execute to cover such a short distance that it almost never provides any sort of protection from enemy attacks. You also get punished for rolling more than twice in a row, even if you are just rolling for traversal's sake, by getting trapped into a sort of "stumble" animation. In such a fast-paced game with lots of enemy attacks, and with enemies being far more deadly than in the first game, you need to have a way to avoid things, but they basically took that away from players. You could try to sprint and slide, but I find that half the time Aloy ends up crouching instead of sliding, which puts the player in a dangerous (if not deadly) situation.
-If you had built up any sort of strategy in the first game, it's useless here. I actually find that there were more varied ways to play in the first game than there were in the second, because they took away some of the player options -- never a good thing. For example, if you wanted the ability to use traps and wires in the first game, you could go ahead and do so and never be seen. Here, they have locked you into a max amount of traps and wires at any given time, increased the length of time it takes to place traps, increased the amount of resources it takes to craft, and reduced the tripcaster's abilities greatly (most human and machine enemies can jump over them, and wires also just snap/disappear after a length of time). If you enjoyed the ropecaster in the first game, it also doesn't work the same way here since it can't attach to armour and every machine has extensive armour. By the time you remove said armour to use the ropecaster, you might as well just go with a different strategy.
-The game seems to really want you to use mounts, even adding in races with them, yet I find myself running everywhere instead because the mounts are just not great. Most are slower than running, get stuck very easily on objects Aloy does not, and just overall have massive jank when other people are around.
-Climbing was assigned to a set number of areas in the first game, and while I see what they were trying to do by expanding this system and make it easier to see where you could climb, it's just not as smooth as what it could be. Sometimes I can climb wherever I want to with no issue, other times Aloy struggles to climb to the point straight above her and I will have to climb to another point off to the side and then up.
-This is a petty complaint, but about half of the new machines come from the fact that there are like 20 different Burrower types. No I'm not joking. It's completely unnecessary to have so many.
-Lastly, one thing they really needed to fix but didn't was ally AI. It's still useless in the heat of battle. They don't do damage to anything, mostly just shoot and miss, and when you're in stealth, their dialogue can be extremely annoying (looking at you, Alva, with your nonstop shouting).
Sounds like a lot of complaints for an 8/10, but they did improve a lot. I enjoy the facial animations so much more, they are incredibly realistic. The story is great, the new machines are great, I love the improved melee and valor surges, and the map is HUGE. I've been playing about 80 hours and am only 60% complete, to give you an idea.
So yes, I definitely think they didn't need to change everything, but many things are great. I still recommend it wholeheartedly.
Examples:
-The weapon system has become extremely convoluted. Whereas in the first game, each weapon had its own specofic set of ammo types that were fairly consistent even when you got better equipment throughout the game (sharpshot always had tear, warrior bow always had hardpoint and fire, elemental bows had shock and ice, and tripcasters and blastslings usually had explosive/shock/ice), here things are different. There are still different kinds of weapons and ammo types, but there is no consistency in what weapon has which ammo type, and with each weapon having typically 3 ammo types, I can guarantee you you'll end up with overlapping types at some point. I almost always end up with multiple weapons with acid ammo, but I require all those weapons for the other ammo types they have that DON'T overlap. Additionally, there is a standard, advanced, and elite version of every type, making it absolutely ridiculous later on in the game as you can even have more than one of the same type equipped to one weapon.
-Dodge rolling was a useful tool in the first game to avoid enemy attacks, especially if you had the long roll skill unlocked. There is no long roll here, and the short roll takes too much time to execute to cover such a short distance that it almost never provides any sort of protection from enemy attacks. You also get punished for rolling more than twice in a row, even if you are just rolling for traversal's sake, by getting trapped into a sort of "stumble" animation. In such a fast-paced game with lots of enemy attacks, and with enemies being far more deadly than in the first game, you need to have a way to avoid things, but they basically took that away from players. You could try to sprint and slide, but I find that half the time Aloy ends up crouching instead of sliding, which puts the player in a dangerous (if not deadly) situation.
-If you had built up any sort of strategy in the first game, it's useless here. I actually find that there were more varied ways to play in the first game than there were in the second, because they took away some of the player options -- never a good thing. For example, if you wanted the ability to use traps and wires in the first game, you could go ahead and do so and never be seen. Here, they have locked you into a max amount of traps and wires at any given time, increased the length of time it takes to place traps, increased the amount of resources it takes to craft, and reduced the tripcaster's abilities greatly (most human and machine enemies can jump over them, and wires also just snap/disappear after a length of time). If you enjoyed the ropecaster in the first game, it also doesn't work the same way here since it can't attach to armour and every machine has extensive armour. By the time you remove said armour to use the ropecaster, you might as well just go with a different strategy.
-The game seems to really want you to use mounts, even adding in races with them, yet I find myself running everywhere instead because the mounts are just not great. Most are slower than running, get stuck very easily on objects Aloy does not, and just overall have massive jank when other people are around.
-Climbing was assigned to a set number of areas in the first game, and while I see what they were trying to do by expanding this system and make it easier to see where you could climb, it's just not as smooth as what it could be. Sometimes I can climb wherever I want to with no issue, other times Aloy struggles to climb to the point straight above her and I will have to climb to another point off to the side and then up.
-This is a petty complaint, but about half of the new machines come from the fact that there are like 20 different Burrower types. No I'm not joking. It's completely unnecessary to have so many.
-Lastly, one thing they really needed to fix but didn't was ally AI. It's still useless in the heat of battle. They don't do damage to anything, mostly just shoot and miss, and when you're in stealth, their dialogue can be extremely annoying (looking at you, Alva, with your nonstop shouting).
Sounds like a lot of complaints for an 8/10, but they did improve a lot. I enjoy the facial animations so much more, they are incredibly realistic. The story is great, the new machines are great, I love the improved melee and valor surges, and the map is HUGE. I've been playing about 80 hours and am only 60% complete, to give you an idea.
So yes, I definitely think they didn't need to change everything, but many things are great. I still recommend it wholeheartedly.
Worth every drop of hype
namyers-3156119 February 2022
Holy heck. This game is STUNNING. Easily the most beautiful looking game I've ever played. Brilliant story, well written and intriguing characters, challenging combat, tons of side activities, easy and fun to get lost just exploring/hunting, and just purely phenomenal. Aloy's return is glorious.
One of the best epic sci-fi series, continued
andreichirita11 August 2022
Waiting five long years to roam again with Aloy in one of the most original post-apocalyptic worlds ever created was certainly worth it. Just about everything is now better, and, while it was obvious that nothing could compare with Aloy's anagnorisis from the first game, the story is still a delight for the sci-fi fan.
The world is bigger and extremely beautiful. Every time you look up, you'll see a breathtaking landscape and the new traversal options allow you to behold even more impressive scenery. The level of detail is incredible. Guerrilla have not reached exactly Rockstar's level, but the world they have created is probably the most detailed since Red Dead Redemption 2.
Combat has been improved, with a lot more options, and it generally feels more satisfying. That is, ranged combat. Melee combat... well, not so much. It is somewhat improved, but the combos are some of the worst out there. Still, taking down machines with ranged combat and traps is some massively cool action, especially since there are a ton of new machines. There are also many additions to general gameplay, most of them worthy. Climbing is still very clunky, though. "Strike" is a tabletop mini-game introduced in Forbidden West, but I don't have any opinion about it, since I haven't played it (never played Gwent or others, either, they don't have any appeal to me).
In the Forbidden West, Aloy encounters new tribes that dwell in some fascinating places, which feel much more lived-in compared to the ones in the previous game. Like the Eastern tribes, these new ones have cultures shaped not only by geography and climate, but also (mostly) by remnants of the old world. Doing side quests for the people of these tribes is always a little adventure, with some of the most intense battles. Their stories are not as interesting as the sci-fi backbone of the game, but they could make an average little science fantasy game by themselves.
The game introduces new characters that are generally more interesting or likable than those in the first game. I found myself liking some of Aloy's new friends after just a few dialogues, something that didn't happen in Zero Dawn. Also, some of Aloy's old friends are back and they are developed further, becoming slightly more interesting themselves.
Unsurprisingly, the characters who steal the show are again Aloy and Sylens. Like many characters in high-concept sci-fi, they represent ideas, which is not to say they don't feel like real people, too, because they certainly do. Both are driven by a desire for knowledge and will go to any lengths to preserve life on earth. But they also represent opposite versions of the same archetype, namely "hero scientist." Sylens is essentially a psychopath (which determines his teleological approach to saving the world), while Aloy is essentially an empath (therefore, having a deontological approach). Sylens is considerably more arrogant and unpleasant than Aloy, who has been often accused of being a Mary Sue type of character. Just like in Zero Dawn, they need each other, but stay away from each other (which is largely Sylens' fault), unless working together is the only way to achieve their goals. The contrast and dynamic between them makes this duo one of the best in gaming and sci-fi in general. If you read sci-fi, you know that characterization isn't usually its strong suit. It is, however, one of the best aspects of the Horizon series.
Another great narrative aspect is the ability of the writers at Guerrilla to add emotional depth to most scientific concepts. Sci-fi works throw mind-blowing concepts at the audience, very often in a sterile manner, devoid of emotion. Here, the story combines scientific concepts and subjective emotional experiences in a way that few other have ever managed. For instance, possibly the most emotional scene in Forbidden West is fundamentally a thought experiment on the nature vs. Nurture debate, but played out with such unexpected compassion that it had me in tears.
On the downside, we have the villains, who are not nearly as interesting in Forbidden West. They are pretty basic scum, a rather surprising fact, considering what they've been through and the resources they possess. Or maybe that's how people like them would turn out, who's to say. The fate of one villain is pretty interesting to discover, but that's about it. A significant downside, to be sure, but not one that is capable of ruining the story.
An extraordinary overall experience, Horizon Forbidden West is a fantastic second part of one of the best epic sci-fi series. The big open world is unique, extremely beautiful and extremely detailed. The combat is exhilarating, one of the best in an open world game. Not many things in life are better than going on this adventure with Aloy.
The world is bigger and extremely beautiful. Every time you look up, you'll see a breathtaking landscape and the new traversal options allow you to behold even more impressive scenery. The level of detail is incredible. Guerrilla have not reached exactly Rockstar's level, but the world they have created is probably the most detailed since Red Dead Redemption 2.
Combat has been improved, with a lot more options, and it generally feels more satisfying. That is, ranged combat. Melee combat... well, not so much. It is somewhat improved, but the combos are some of the worst out there. Still, taking down machines with ranged combat and traps is some massively cool action, especially since there are a ton of new machines. There are also many additions to general gameplay, most of them worthy. Climbing is still very clunky, though. "Strike" is a tabletop mini-game introduced in Forbidden West, but I don't have any opinion about it, since I haven't played it (never played Gwent or others, either, they don't have any appeal to me).
In the Forbidden West, Aloy encounters new tribes that dwell in some fascinating places, which feel much more lived-in compared to the ones in the previous game. Like the Eastern tribes, these new ones have cultures shaped not only by geography and climate, but also (mostly) by remnants of the old world. Doing side quests for the people of these tribes is always a little adventure, with some of the most intense battles. Their stories are not as interesting as the sci-fi backbone of the game, but they could make an average little science fantasy game by themselves.
The game introduces new characters that are generally more interesting or likable than those in the first game. I found myself liking some of Aloy's new friends after just a few dialogues, something that didn't happen in Zero Dawn. Also, some of Aloy's old friends are back and they are developed further, becoming slightly more interesting themselves.
Unsurprisingly, the characters who steal the show are again Aloy and Sylens. Like many characters in high-concept sci-fi, they represent ideas, which is not to say they don't feel like real people, too, because they certainly do. Both are driven by a desire for knowledge and will go to any lengths to preserve life on earth. But they also represent opposite versions of the same archetype, namely "hero scientist." Sylens is essentially a psychopath (which determines his teleological approach to saving the world), while Aloy is essentially an empath (therefore, having a deontological approach). Sylens is considerably more arrogant and unpleasant than Aloy, who has been often accused of being a Mary Sue type of character. Just like in Zero Dawn, they need each other, but stay away from each other (which is largely Sylens' fault), unless working together is the only way to achieve their goals. The contrast and dynamic between them makes this duo one of the best in gaming and sci-fi in general. If you read sci-fi, you know that characterization isn't usually its strong suit. It is, however, one of the best aspects of the Horizon series.
Another great narrative aspect is the ability of the writers at Guerrilla to add emotional depth to most scientific concepts. Sci-fi works throw mind-blowing concepts at the audience, very often in a sterile manner, devoid of emotion. Here, the story combines scientific concepts and subjective emotional experiences in a way that few other have ever managed. For instance, possibly the most emotional scene in Forbidden West is fundamentally a thought experiment on the nature vs. Nurture debate, but played out with such unexpected compassion that it had me in tears.
On the downside, we have the villains, who are not nearly as interesting in Forbidden West. They are pretty basic scum, a rather surprising fact, considering what they've been through and the resources they possess. Or maybe that's how people like them would turn out, who's to say. The fate of one villain is pretty interesting to discover, but that's about it. A significant downside, to be sure, but not one that is capable of ruining the story.
An extraordinary overall experience, Horizon Forbidden West is a fantastic second part of one of the best epic sci-fi series. The big open world is unique, extremely beautiful and extremely detailed. The combat is exhilarating, one of the best in an open world game. Not many things in life are better than going on this adventure with Aloy.
A stunningly beautiful sequel
mbornastier23 February 2022
Aloy is back to try to figure how to reboot GAIA, new friends, new enemies, and lots of machines to destroy. The scenery is beautiful, the soundtrack is amazing, and the world even more expansive. I'm not even half way through the game yet, but I am in awe of this masterpiece. If you loved Zero Dawn, you'll definitely love Forbidden West. Oh, and Aloy is still my spirit animal. Now, I must go, there's a cauldron I need to make my way into.
Amazing!!
ruippfonseca23 February 2022
One of the best games ever! Must play to understand, unbelievable!! Love it, took 30 hours to get to the end, but it's certain I will play much more than that!! Congratulations to the studio who have made this masterpiece!!
Amazing
ilpo-surokivi17 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This game is just amazing! I would leave it at that but I just want to tell you more. Even if I don't agree with the policies of the developer and I don't support fascism that wants to make people silent based on their political opinions just because someone's emotions are hurt, I have to say that Guerrilla Games knows how to make games and amazing storytelling.
Major spoiler ahead! What I most liked about this and why I decided to go with 10/10 is that they actually invoked really emotions in me towards the characters and towards the world they live in. Varl died and I actually cried. The part with Zo at the hillside with all the flowers. When a story creates in me actual feelings for the characters it deserves a 10/10.
Since nothing can be without politics these days I have to say that GG does an amazing job of making a character feminine but yet at the same time headstrong, determined and smart is great writing. They made a female character that is a strong female character in so many ways yet is a friend of many men and everyone accept each other as they are. Imagine if She-Hulk would let men be men and women be women. Like Aloy or Erend. Erend wants to smash some skulls. Isn't lectured by Aloy how he needs to stop being who he is. Disney has so much to learn in writing if they want to exist.
Major spoiler ahead! What I most liked about this and why I decided to go with 10/10 is that they actually invoked really emotions in me towards the characters and towards the world they live in. Varl died and I actually cried. The part with Zo at the hillside with all the flowers. When a story creates in me actual feelings for the characters it deserves a 10/10.
Since nothing can be without politics these days I have to say that GG does an amazing job of making a character feminine but yet at the same time headstrong, determined and smart is great writing. They made a female character that is a strong female character in so many ways yet is a friend of many men and everyone accept each other as they are. Imagine if She-Hulk would let men be men and women be women. Like Aloy or Erend. Erend wants to smash some skulls. Isn't lectured by Aloy how he needs to stop being who he is. Disney has so much to learn in writing if they want to exist.
10/10
fuad_tarin_5826 February 2022
Played this game now 50houers and its crazy good. Its one of the best games ever made.
You are free to do whatever u want in this game. Do the main quest or just explore and do other quests of just farm. I myself do a combiantion of everything. Mainquest, explore, do sidequests, some puzzles or just boardgames or trials. This game has everything.
Whoever doesnt like this game is a boring person that dosent know better. You dont deserve to play this game cause this is a MASTERPIECE.
- Graphics 10/10. Its beaiscally the most beautifull game ever made. No discussion.
- Story in Horrizon 1 was a 8/10 storywize and this one till now is been insane. 9/10. Cant wait to see more.
- Gameplay is a 10/10.
You are free to do whatever u want in this game. Do the main quest or just explore and do other quests of just farm. I myself do a combiantion of everything. Mainquest, explore, do sidequests, some puzzles or just boardgames or trials. This game has everything.
Whoever doesnt like this game is a boring person that dosent know better. You dont deserve to play this game cause this is a MASTERPIECE.
An example.
krismancini22 February 2022
An example of how you nail a sequel. Great game. Didn't love playing the first one. But loved this one. I don't even consider myself a single-player gamer. I just historically always play Multiplayer. But this game sucked me in!
Excellent sequel to an astoundingly good game
chrisherne-4711521 February 2022
If you like open world RPGs then there really isn't one better than the Horizon arc. It's highly immersive with third person gameplay and compared to the first game in the series, it's bigger, richer with interactions and side quests, and has far more developed gameplay interactions with respect to combat and navigating the social and physical world. The protagonist is Aloy, a clone of the main scientist that developed the means for all life on Earth to be given a second chance after a 'whoops apocalypse' mistake by the 'Old Ones', who was made as a desperate measure by the AI controlling the terraforming system when, for reasons yet unknown, the AI is destroyed and everything starts to go haywire, threatening life on Earth once again. The visible instruments of this terraforming system are machines with a wide variety of terraforming jobs and physical forms from dinosaurs to cattle, which have run amok with no AI to guide them. The machines and some other characters that she meets get in the way of Aloy's mission; and they have to be destroyed, overridden and used for transport, or circumvented by other means. If you've never played it before you're in for a long-lasting treat. If you haven't played the original game, I would recommend you start there, as it is just as enjoyable and will add context.
A Fantastic Sequel Expands The Lore Of Horizon
KalKenobi8326 March 2022
Played Horizon: Forbidden West very excellent game also great graphics and voice work By Ashly Burch (Marvels's Avengers, Valorant) as Aloy, John Macmillian(Amenisia: Rebirth) as Varl, John Hopkins(Hitman 3) as Erend, Noshir Dalal(Star Wars: The Bad Batch) as Kotallo, Erica Luttrell(Westworld)as Zo, Freya Parker(The Void) as Talanah, Alison Jaye(Shameless) as Alva, Lance Reddick(John Wick Chapter 3:Parabelleum) as Sylens, Lesley Ewen(Arrow) as GAIA, Stefan Ashton Frank(Cyberpunk 2077 ) as HAEPHESTUS, Geno Segers(Yellowstone) as Chief Hekarro, Marc Kudisch(Mindhunter) as Erik Visser, Dan Donohue(Star Wars: Battlefront II) as Gerard Bieri/POSEIDON, Angela Bassett(Mission: Impossible-Fallout) As Regalla, Josh Keaton(Voltron) as Sun-King Avad And Carrie Anne-Moss(The Matrix, Mass Effect Trilogy ) as Tilda Van de Meer.
My personal 2022 GOTY while I understand it criticisms it tackles themes of AI, Colonialism, Loyalty, Extinction, and Family also improves on mechanics and adds more mechanics as well expands Aloys journey as well the story as well being Inclusive also Carrie Anne Moss like her Matrix Keanu Reeves Co-Star Plays a character Tilda much Like Johnny Silverhand you can't entirely trust ironically.
Great Music By Joe Hensen(Black Death) & Julie Elven(World Of Warcraft: Legion) Ben McCaw(Middle-Earth; Shadow Of War) and Direction from Mathjs De Jonge(Killzone 2) A Fantastic Sequel Expands The Lore Of Horizon 10/10.
My personal 2022 GOTY while I understand it criticisms it tackles themes of AI, Colonialism, Loyalty, Extinction, and Family also improves on mechanics and adds more mechanics as well expands Aloys journey as well the story as well being Inclusive also Carrie Anne Moss like her Matrix Keanu Reeves Co-Star Plays a character Tilda much Like Johnny Silverhand you can't entirely trust ironically.
Great Music By Joe Hensen(Black Death) & Julie Elven(World Of Warcraft: Legion) Ben McCaw(Middle-Earth; Shadow Of War) and Direction from Mathjs De Jonge(Killzone 2) A Fantastic Sequel Expands The Lore Of Horizon 10/10.
A Powerful Entry in Horizon: Zero Dawn
saaiakani-822-8951816 March 2022
With upgrades to every aspect of the game- gameplay, AI, upgrade systems, skill trees, and graphics, Horizon Forbidden West was an absolute triumph. Cauldrons are no longer wash-rinse-repeat; stories you encounter and engage in require real choices; the decisions you make will affect the way the ending plays out. In over 30 years of experience in gaming, I cannot recall any other sequel being as strong a follow up as this. I cannot recommend it enough.
A good game that i just didn't really enjoy as much as zero dawn.
Honodi23 February 2022
Let's be very clear here, H:FW is a very beautiful game, the landscape is amazing, the character animations are great, and i could not point to something in the game that was at odds with itself (everything was coherent and made sense in the Horizon World).
So why did i not enjoy the game as much ? Well for starters the new "mechanics" The Stamina Bar that apparently lets you run and glide forever but is immediately empty when you draw your bow to the end. Then we have the "valor" system, which in my opinion is just useless, yes you can switch valors but to be honest i don't see that every happening, you will choose one, and maybe switch to one other later, but otherwise not touch it. The new gliding and swimming mechanics are OK, but did not really add much to me as they seem more of a gimmick than something you would use outside the quests that require you to.
The Game has a lot , and i mean a lot! Of "conversations" , for me i would say probably already too much. The Voice actors do an amazing job in the game and i mean in no way to say they didn't , its just a bit much. Especially the level of "backseat-gaming" you Companions do when they are around while you fight is bordering on absurdity, i myself found myself wishing i could just strike them down to make them shut up.
Another thing i personally did not like was the amount of help you get on where to go , or how to solve certain riddles. It made me wonder if this game is targeted at 10 year old that need everything brightly lit up (the climbing walls) or solved for them.
Sadly the biggest letdown for me was the Story, i am not saying it was a bad story, it just did not resonate with me.
Overall i would say the game is definitely worth playing.
So why did i not enjoy the game as much ? Well for starters the new "mechanics" The Stamina Bar that apparently lets you run and glide forever but is immediately empty when you draw your bow to the end. Then we have the "valor" system, which in my opinion is just useless, yes you can switch valors but to be honest i don't see that every happening, you will choose one, and maybe switch to one other later, but otherwise not touch it. The new gliding and swimming mechanics are OK, but did not really add much to me as they seem more of a gimmick than something you would use outside the quests that require you to.
The Game has a lot , and i mean a lot! Of "conversations" , for me i would say probably already too much. The Voice actors do an amazing job in the game and i mean in no way to say they didn't , its just a bit much. Especially the level of "backseat-gaming" you Companions do when they are around while you fight is bordering on absurdity, i myself found myself wishing i could just strike them down to make them shut up.
Another thing i personally did not like was the amount of help you get on where to go , or how to solve certain riddles. It made me wonder if this game is targeted at 10 year old that need everything brightly lit up (the climbing walls) or solved for them.
Sadly the biggest letdown for me was the Story, i am not saying it was a bad story, it just did not resonate with me.
Overall i would say the game is definitely worth playing.
Disappointing compared to Horizon Zero Dawn
st-4555220 May 2022
Forbidden West is a major downgrade compared to Zero Dawn. Guerrilla certainly improved graphics and animation, but almost every other aspect of the game has been made significantly worse.
Though the new machines are amazing, the gameplay itself has been reduced to a cookie-cutter open world experience overflowing with boring filler content, and the combat system has been turned into a number crunching experience.
These issues alone would not be enough to dislike the game, but the actual deal breaker is the story, which compares to an overly ambitious fan fiction both in terms of plot and narrative. Perhaps because Forbidden West was not written by the main author of Zero Dawn?
I still believe that Forbidden West is an above average open-world title, but compared to its amazing predecessor, it is simply a disappointment.
Though the new machines are amazing, the gameplay itself has been reduced to a cookie-cutter open world experience overflowing with boring filler content, and the combat system has been turned into a number crunching experience.
These issues alone would not be enough to dislike the game, but the actual deal breaker is the story, which compares to an overly ambitious fan fiction both in terms of plot and narrative. Perhaps because Forbidden West was not written by the main author of Zero Dawn?
I still believe that Forbidden West is an above average open-world title, but compared to its amazing predecessor, it is simply a disappointment.
A work of art
missraziel31 March 2022
Just beat it
powerupdenver12 April 2022
I have to say, one of the best games I have ever played. From sound, lighting, story, HDR color, voice acting, environment, leveling up, side quest, weapons, stash, music, hunting,...all of it was spectacular. The art work involved is mind blowing, the fast travel made the game feel extremely progressive. The character development was great. The game made me want to complete pretty much every side mission. Do not miss out on this incredible adventure.
Incredible! Fantastic! Stunningly Beautiful!
Ben247899 November 2023
Wow and I mean wow! What a game! This is one heck of a sequel. I thought Zero Dawn was excellent but they have out done themselves with this one! This is the most beautiful game I've ever played. The graphics are stunning. The way Aloy hair sways around around looks so good. Aloy the main Protagonist is in my top3 of all time favourite video game characters. This game hits on different levels and really plays with your emotions. I can't believe how good this game is I've actually platinum this game and now I'm struggling to find a new game to play because this one has hit me on a new level. I mean they've gone past the ceiling with this game. I know I'm not giving anything away because this game has to be played with no spoilers.
I just absolutely love this game and I can't wait for the next instalment.
I just absolutely love this game and I can't wait for the next instalment.
Beautiful, but flawed
bluehoodie-191947 April 2024
Wow - I have to say this is one of the most graphically beautiful games I have ever played. After a pretty cheesy cliffhanger at the end of Zero Dawn, the story picks up momentum starting slow but reaching an early game peak with some lore dumps. I think I'm around 40% through the main story so I hope there is more to come!
However, there have been major downgrades - most notably the combat system. It's much more difficult, not because of the enemies themselves, but the near inneffective dodge mechanic. So many times you are hit by invisible hit boxes or can't fully evade an attack and get chip damage. It just feels clunky and unfair.
Traps and tripwires have also been nerfed, meaning you can place only 3 unless you acquire perks or equip different armours. But 3 traps or wires are barely even enough to apply a decent status effect on the enemies. The traps themselves take at least 5 seconds to place so good luck doing that getting slapped around repeatedly by spammy AOE attacks from the enemies which have Infinite stamina and get right up in your face.
Spears - have a wind up to throw.
Bolt casters - are heavy weapons so are slow.
Traps - take ages to place.
Tripwires - Burst if you place them more than half a meter apart so you have to spend time placing them. Or if you walk into them, which happens more often than not because you need to run away from the enemy right in your face.
Shredder weapons - Need to charge to be thrown.
Bows - need time to reach full draw, and do barely any damage to enemies even when taking off the removable components.
All of these take far too much time when an enemy is right in your face. And you also can't outrun the enemies, so good luck making any space to use any of the above equipment.
I'm just really sad about it, I absolutely adored Zero Dawn and had so much fun with the challenging yet balanced combat, the OP feeling you could get towards the end - but bots like the thunderbird and thunderjaw were still challenging. But they also felt like fair fights.
Why they nerfed the roll to only 3 rolls and give you no other way to dodge attacks is beyond me, I have no idea how this wasn't a major piece of feedback during user testing. You have a slide but I found this inconsistent when running and pressing the button to slide - sometimes you just crouch.
At this point it feels like the only way to make the game fair is to either give yourself Infinite weapon stamina, Infinite traps that are placed immediately, or a decent dodge mechanics so you don't get screwed over. Or drop the enemy difficulty down to story mode - but should this really be necessary to play combat when you have no options to use a stealth approach? To me it just doesn't work.
Dark souls for example you could learn the enemy patterns and work around them, but this doesn't apply here - the enemy jumps right on top of you and does a massive AOE you cannot outrun and can dodge 3 times before getting hit again because you have no other option.
This is my biggest issue with the game, it's so beautiful but just no fun to play during combat...
However, there have been major downgrades - most notably the combat system. It's much more difficult, not because of the enemies themselves, but the near inneffective dodge mechanic. So many times you are hit by invisible hit boxes or can't fully evade an attack and get chip damage. It just feels clunky and unfair.
Traps and tripwires have also been nerfed, meaning you can place only 3 unless you acquire perks or equip different armours. But 3 traps or wires are barely even enough to apply a decent status effect on the enemies. The traps themselves take at least 5 seconds to place so good luck doing that getting slapped around repeatedly by spammy AOE attacks from the enemies which have Infinite stamina and get right up in your face.
Spears - have a wind up to throw.
Bolt casters - are heavy weapons so are slow.
Traps - take ages to place.
Tripwires - Burst if you place them more than half a meter apart so you have to spend time placing them. Or if you walk into them, which happens more often than not because you need to run away from the enemy right in your face.
Shredder weapons - Need to charge to be thrown.
Bows - need time to reach full draw, and do barely any damage to enemies even when taking off the removable components.
All of these take far too much time when an enemy is right in your face. And you also can't outrun the enemies, so good luck making any space to use any of the above equipment.
I'm just really sad about it, I absolutely adored Zero Dawn and had so much fun with the challenging yet balanced combat, the OP feeling you could get towards the end - but bots like the thunderbird and thunderjaw were still challenging. But they also felt like fair fights.
Why they nerfed the roll to only 3 rolls and give you no other way to dodge attacks is beyond me, I have no idea how this wasn't a major piece of feedback during user testing. You have a slide but I found this inconsistent when running and pressing the button to slide - sometimes you just crouch.
At this point it feels like the only way to make the game fair is to either give yourself Infinite weapon stamina, Infinite traps that are placed immediately, or a decent dodge mechanics so you don't get screwed over. Or drop the enemy difficulty down to story mode - but should this really be necessary to play combat when you have no options to use a stealth approach? To me it just doesn't work.
Dark souls for example you could learn the enemy patterns and work around them, but this doesn't apply here - the enemy jumps right on top of you and does a massive AOE you cannot outrun and can dodge 3 times before getting hit again because you have no other option.
This is my biggest issue with the game, it's so beautiful but just no fun to play during combat...
Fantastic, frustrating, frickin good!
justjayreid14 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not doing the franchise a service since I haven't played the first. Truth is my girlfriend brought me a PS5 and this game (is never heard of the franchise properly) and I thought screw it I'll bite. And BOY WAS THAT A MEAL. I'm stuffed.
Best 70 hours of my life spent on a game since the glory days of Halo. Honeslty had a wicked time despite my lore gaps.
Gameplay - 8/10 little bit of a gameplay loop but the story and the mastery of the controls made you feel like a badass... when you understand it you become a skill full machine killing badass.
Graphics - 10/10 this was beautiful, even the deserts and streams some of the most generic environments had me stopping and taking it all in. The tribal themes and all the differences to the groups made for each base feeling unique and vibrant!
Characters - at some points 10/10 at others 6/10 (also the lore gaps didn't help! But I loved all the companions so much. Especially Kotallo)
Combat - 8/10 I love bows and arrows and the variety of range equipment always kept things fresh. Though admittedly it was killing robots the whole game I felt like it curved the staleness very well. Kept me on for 70+ hours! Even did some farming towards the end as frustrating as that was!
Story - 10/10 asides the cliffhanger which left me thirsty! Sad I couldn't smash Erend or Kotallo. Weird I know I just felt the chemistry. The villains had a weirdly brief but powerful presence to them and I was always wondering when they would strike next!
Will be playing horizon 3 when that comes out; heck I might even play horizon 1! Though I won't be going completionist like I did with this one. So much time spent 😂
I could spend an extra hour writing the reviews but the game already took a heavy working week from me! Thank you for the experience!
Best 70 hours of my life spent on a game since the glory days of Halo. Honeslty had a wicked time despite my lore gaps.
Gameplay - 8/10 little bit of a gameplay loop but the story and the mastery of the controls made you feel like a badass... when you understand it you become a skill full machine killing badass.
Graphics - 10/10 this was beautiful, even the deserts and streams some of the most generic environments had me stopping and taking it all in. The tribal themes and all the differences to the groups made for each base feeling unique and vibrant!
Characters - at some points 10/10 at others 6/10 (also the lore gaps didn't help! But I loved all the companions so much. Especially Kotallo)
Combat - 8/10 I love bows and arrows and the variety of range equipment always kept things fresh. Though admittedly it was killing robots the whole game I felt like it curved the staleness very well. Kept me on for 70+ hours! Even did some farming towards the end as frustrating as that was!
Story - 10/10 asides the cliffhanger which left me thirsty! Sad I couldn't smash Erend or Kotallo. Weird I know I just felt the chemistry. The villains had a weirdly brief but powerful presence to them and I was always wondering when they would strike next!
Will be playing horizon 3 when that comes out; heck I might even play horizon 1! Though I won't be going completionist like I did with this one. So much time spent 😂
I could spend an extra hour writing the reviews but the game already took a heavy working week from me! Thank you for the experience!
Game Of The Year
pranavchopra-6675511 November 2022
As I sit here playing the new God of war and see all of the "Game Of The Year" praise for it, I think back to Horizon Forbidden west and how beautiful, action packed, and story driven it was. I don't think it'll win it due to outside factors but to me, this is clearly the 2022 Game Of The Year.
The story truly is incredible and well done, they improved Aloy as a character significantly, she was rather cardboard in the first game, and the robots and action truly is incredible. The graphics are also out of this world good on PS5. It was a great addition to the series and I'm excited to play the next one!
The story truly is incredible and well done, they improved Aloy as a character significantly, she was rather cardboard in the first game, and the robots and action truly is incredible. The graphics are also out of this world good on PS5. It was a great addition to the series and I'm excited to play the next one!
The Best Game Ever
gustavocoutinhoferraz16 July 2023
The prequel to this game was already perfect, but this game is more than perfect. It is the best!
The graphics are astonishing, everything looks very very much realistic, but, in my opinion, the best part of this game is the story.
The creativity of the story is incredible. It can be a story comparable to the best films and books. All the characters are perfect and amazing. I literally can't say anything bad about this game. It is the best game that I ever played.
And the most important thing is that you cannot get bored while playing. You are always having fun.
It is the best game ever, I recommend it.
The graphics are astonishing, everything looks very very much realistic, but, in my opinion, the best part of this game is the story.
The creativity of the story is incredible. It can be a story comparable to the best films and books. All the characters are perfect and amazing. I literally can't say anything bad about this game. It is the best game that I ever played.
And the most important thing is that you cannot get bored while playing. You are always having fun.
It is the best game ever, I recommend it.
Artistic and technical masterpiece
michalklebs17 June 2022
New technical benchmark in open world video games. This game has the best and most cinematic cut-scenes I've ever seen, one of the best combat mechanics and world building. I would give it a 10 if not for scenario: Zero Dawn story was more impactful and compelling, probably due to surprise factor. Also Aloy became too much of a superhero instead of actually interesting character - companions are more like her fans or annoying attachments. Apart from that - amazing experience.
Extremely Overrated and Undeniably Formuleic
parrot0071 May 2022
This game isnt bad but its been super overrated because we're in a drought for good triple A games right now. There is nothing here that you haven't already seen in a open world game. Graphics are a 10/10, world design is beautiful. Combat and progession are fun, but still virtually identical to the first game.
The only reason anyone gives this game a perfect score is because their expectations have been lowered by the ocean of mediocre Ubisoft open world games. Horizon Forbidden West is not a bad game, but its completely lacking in creativity and originality. You can't seriously tell me you enjoyed listening to hours of Horizon's weak writing and fake branching dialogue. You cant say with a straight face that this game's story is anything memorable. Name one character besides Aloy and describe their personality and why they're important (you cant). And if you play open world games, like ever, you cannot say that you haven't done every activty this game has to offer before. A good sequel is more than making a new world and adding new enemy types and character abilities. You need to improve the core foundation of the game, and you cannot say that Forbidden West does that.
You personally may enjoy this game, but I and many others are sick of this repetitive formula for open world games: The one where you clear out enemy camps, collect plants and animal skins to upgrade your gear and make items, spend skill points to get new perks, do other random repeatable activities, and CLIMB TOWERS to reveal new areas of the map instead of exploring them organicly. Everything you can do in the game is an icon on the map. Again, maybe this formula for a game is still fun for you, but some of us have played this exact type of game a hundred times in the past decade and its simply embarrassing that Guerilla Games' inspiration for their game are 6/10 copy paste Ubisoft open world games, instead of actually great open world games like Red Dead 2 or Breath of the Wild, where you explore naturally instead of running from icon to icon on your compass.
For the third and final time, Horizon Forbidden West is NOT A BAD GAME. But is this seriously your idea of a 10/10 video game?? If it is, than you really need to play some different (better) games.
The only reason anyone gives this game a perfect score is because their expectations have been lowered by the ocean of mediocre Ubisoft open world games. Horizon Forbidden West is not a bad game, but its completely lacking in creativity and originality. You can't seriously tell me you enjoyed listening to hours of Horizon's weak writing and fake branching dialogue. You cant say with a straight face that this game's story is anything memorable. Name one character besides Aloy and describe their personality and why they're important (you cant). And if you play open world games, like ever, you cannot say that you haven't done every activty this game has to offer before. A good sequel is more than making a new world and adding new enemy types and character abilities. You need to improve the core foundation of the game, and you cannot say that Forbidden West does that.
You personally may enjoy this game, but I and many others are sick of this repetitive formula for open world games: The one where you clear out enemy camps, collect plants and animal skins to upgrade your gear and make items, spend skill points to get new perks, do other random repeatable activities, and CLIMB TOWERS to reveal new areas of the map instead of exploring them organicly. Everything you can do in the game is an icon on the map. Again, maybe this formula for a game is still fun for you, but some of us have played this exact type of game a hundred times in the past decade and its simply embarrassing that Guerilla Games' inspiration for their game are 6/10 copy paste Ubisoft open world games, instead of actually great open world games like Red Dead 2 or Breath of the Wild, where you explore naturally instead of running from icon to icon on your compass.
For the third and final time, Horizon Forbidden West is NOT A BAD GAME. But is this seriously your idea of a 10/10 video game?? If it is, than you really need to play some different (better) games.
It got better, but I hated the ending
VeronikaWolfQueen18 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Since this review turned out to be so incredibly long, I've gotten rid of the original review, it's not important. I've got it saved to my notes for posterity.
Except this part.
I bloody knew Ted installed a back door in Gaia, so he could gain that omega clearance, man what a guy right? He got a guy named Hank Shaw to do it for him. I'm looking forward to learning more about this.
New Review!
Did it end up feeling like a sequel in the end? Not really, it still felt odd and out of place. I guess I was expecting something else and when that wasn't delivered well disappointments.
The overgrowth disappeared with a Gaia subordinate function, so that lessened the stark greenery. The colours got better out west as well. The water in San Francisco and along the coast was stunning. Swimming in it was really cool and fun. Out far west the graphics really started to shine and on top of the Sunwing from the sky looked incredible.
Free climbing was okay, nothing to write home about. Jumping and grabbing ledges, drones etc was a crap shoot, I fell so many times, Aloy would just bump into the ledge or drone and slide off it, like it didn't exist. Still having massive problems with this to this day. Drop down from grab areas is also clumsy, fell all the way back down many times.
Tribal people continued to use words that just blew my mind on who taught them those words lol.
Aloy chatting to others got better, but was never 100%.
Chats continued to be hilarious at times.
I was apparently using the controls wrongly, but I've still been having issues closing the weapon wheel or getting out of attack stance. I don't have the slow down enabled, but at times it feels super laggy. I got barrelled from one end of an area to another around 7 times until my health was 50% before I could finally get out of the wheel.
Story mode still has really intense machine fights, some don't let you get up forever, they just keep knocking you down over and over again, really aggravating. Concentration mode honestly doesn't slow down time enough to get any real good shot in combat. The extra R1 skills are also only ever good when a machine hasn't seen you. Can hardly ever make use of it in combat due to how slow it is.
Got used to the camera.
Underwater controls continued to be tanky in some situations. The breathing underwater apparatus made them completely redundant though. As in their tanky but who cares? You can't drown anymore.
I didn't get anywhere near as emotional as in HZD, the others despite the urgency still didn't seem all that concerned to speed things up. Everyone always felt super chill.
The map is smaller, but more densely packed and with 7 Horus's! Granted the model is just reused for all of them. They also don't look 300m long in this and the tentacles are quiet literally shorter.
So 3rd game intense spoilers. The Zeniths don't want Earth, their running away from a rogue AI with all the collective minds of the other Zeniths inside. It's a failed project left to rot in prison and now it's angry af and on its way to Earth to destroy it. It destroyed the Zeniths in a matter of hours even with their insane tech. So I'm not exactly sure what we hope to achieve as tribals.
Sylens also appears to have felt something at the end and stayed on Earth, instead of getting on the spaceship to escape Nemesis.
Gaia has almost all her subordinate functions returned even Apollo! Thank you Zeniths for that. I reckon we'll need it, to do something with Nemesis. I feel if we trap it again that'll be the worst idea. Maybe we could befriend it or something.
Flying on the Sunwing is beautiful, it feels fluid and just gives this sense of eternal peace, I love that they added it.
I have yet to honestly try overriding the other machines and mounting the Clawstrider.
We lost a lot of potential content shown in the trailers. We don't fight a Tremortusk in San Francisco. If you go there to that location there's a high level Spino instead. The buildings can crumble if he attacks them though. I'll need to go over the trailers at some point, but I think 90% of it changed from what I can remember off the top of my head. Well maybe not changed, maybe it was created for demo purposes only. They didn't want to ruin the actual game, so they showed fake stuff instead.
Thebes Ted's bunker was cool, he had the same long life tech as the Zeniths, but it turned him into a growth stuck inside of a geothermal tank. We didn't get to see what he looked like though and this honestly sucked. For him the treatments mutated him instead. He was in the bunker with his daughter and the doctor and his daughter I believe. Kanya found out he killed the alphas and feared for her life. He murdered the others in the bunker too I believe. Memories on Thebes are a little rusty.
I was disappointed there wasn't very many war audio points this time around or audio points in general. Not many holo points either. I liked the old game for that better. Gave you a sense of dread and loss.
Every main character friend had focus fun in this. Everyone had a focus given to them essentially. This was honestly really cool.
Having Gaia around to talk to was honestly a dream come true.
When in your base you can talk to your friends "a lot" this gets tiring after awhile, when your stuck in conversations that never seem to end. Before every mission, during and after I noticed.
Another Elisabet clone! This was different. She was the complete opposite of Liz though. Aloy figured it was because she had no father or mother figure. She was created to serve the Zeniths and kept locked up and alone.
The machines all of them were amazing this time around.
I FIGURED IT OUT! BELOW.
I figured it out you know, what the issue was with this game. It had no soul, no feelings, it missed the mark on data/audio points. I went on HZD yesterday, immediately felt drawn in, all I did was stand around for 15 mins. Than I listened to some of the audio stuff and realised that HFW just lacks feels. I went to Dimmed Bones and waited for daylight and just looked over the surrounding areas and realised that HFW also has way too much fog. You can enjoy the scenery more in HZD as there is very clearly less fog. I took maybe 20 extra pics. I eventually got so embraced by the emotion, I had to get off as it was killing me honestly. I felt everything anew again, the loss, the temporary victory and the dread, it was amazing, but yeah all too much at the same time. I will 100% have to redo the entire game and get the feels back that HFW removed completely from within me. Now that I know the 2nd story though, some certain parts of HZD feel weird to me, I'm not liking that at all. I have severe doubts that will ever change or go away with time.
I think I'll end it there, but honestly a lot of it was severely improved over HZD. But yeah I do miss some things and even miss the intense story emotions. But oh well, it is what it is.
Except this part.
I bloody knew Ted installed a back door in Gaia, so he could gain that omega clearance, man what a guy right? He got a guy named Hank Shaw to do it for him. I'm looking forward to learning more about this.
New Review!
Did it end up feeling like a sequel in the end? Not really, it still felt odd and out of place. I guess I was expecting something else and when that wasn't delivered well disappointments.
The overgrowth disappeared with a Gaia subordinate function, so that lessened the stark greenery. The colours got better out west as well. The water in San Francisco and along the coast was stunning. Swimming in it was really cool and fun. Out far west the graphics really started to shine and on top of the Sunwing from the sky looked incredible.
Free climbing was okay, nothing to write home about. Jumping and grabbing ledges, drones etc was a crap shoot, I fell so many times, Aloy would just bump into the ledge or drone and slide off it, like it didn't exist. Still having massive problems with this to this day. Drop down from grab areas is also clumsy, fell all the way back down many times.
Tribal people continued to use words that just blew my mind on who taught them those words lol.
Aloy chatting to others got better, but was never 100%.
Chats continued to be hilarious at times.
I was apparently using the controls wrongly, but I've still been having issues closing the weapon wheel or getting out of attack stance. I don't have the slow down enabled, but at times it feels super laggy. I got barrelled from one end of an area to another around 7 times until my health was 50% before I could finally get out of the wheel.
Story mode still has really intense machine fights, some don't let you get up forever, they just keep knocking you down over and over again, really aggravating. Concentration mode honestly doesn't slow down time enough to get any real good shot in combat. The extra R1 skills are also only ever good when a machine hasn't seen you. Can hardly ever make use of it in combat due to how slow it is.
Got used to the camera.
Underwater controls continued to be tanky in some situations. The breathing underwater apparatus made them completely redundant though. As in their tanky but who cares? You can't drown anymore.
I didn't get anywhere near as emotional as in HZD, the others despite the urgency still didn't seem all that concerned to speed things up. Everyone always felt super chill.
The map is smaller, but more densely packed and with 7 Horus's! Granted the model is just reused for all of them. They also don't look 300m long in this and the tentacles are quiet literally shorter.
So 3rd game intense spoilers. The Zeniths don't want Earth, their running away from a rogue AI with all the collective minds of the other Zeniths inside. It's a failed project left to rot in prison and now it's angry af and on its way to Earth to destroy it. It destroyed the Zeniths in a matter of hours even with their insane tech. So I'm not exactly sure what we hope to achieve as tribals.
Sylens also appears to have felt something at the end and stayed on Earth, instead of getting on the spaceship to escape Nemesis.
Gaia has almost all her subordinate functions returned even Apollo! Thank you Zeniths for that. I reckon we'll need it, to do something with Nemesis. I feel if we trap it again that'll be the worst idea. Maybe we could befriend it or something.
Flying on the Sunwing is beautiful, it feels fluid and just gives this sense of eternal peace, I love that they added it.
I have yet to honestly try overriding the other machines and mounting the Clawstrider.
We lost a lot of potential content shown in the trailers. We don't fight a Tremortusk in San Francisco. If you go there to that location there's a high level Spino instead. The buildings can crumble if he attacks them though. I'll need to go over the trailers at some point, but I think 90% of it changed from what I can remember off the top of my head. Well maybe not changed, maybe it was created for demo purposes only. They didn't want to ruin the actual game, so they showed fake stuff instead.
Thebes Ted's bunker was cool, he had the same long life tech as the Zeniths, but it turned him into a growth stuck inside of a geothermal tank. We didn't get to see what he looked like though and this honestly sucked. For him the treatments mutated him instead. He was in the bunker with his daughter and the doctor and his daughter I believe. Kanya found out he killed the alphas and feared for her life. He murdered the others in the bunker too I believe. Memories on Thebes are a little rusty.
I was disappointed there wasn't very many war audio points this time around or audio points in general. Not many holo points either. I liked the old game for that better. Gave you a sense of dread and loss.
Every main character friend had focus fun in this. Everyone had a focus given to them essentially. This was honestly really cool.
Having Gaia around to talk to was honestly a dream come true.
When in your base you can talk to your friends "a lot" this gets tiring after awhile, when your stuck in conversations that never seem to end. Before every mission, during and after I noticed.
Another Elisabet clone! This was different. She was the complete opposite of Liz though. Aloy figured it was because she had no father or mother figure. She was created to serve the Zeniths and kept locked up and alone.
The machines all of them were amazing this time around.
I FIGURED IT OUT! BELOW.
I figured it out you know, what the issue was with this game. It had no soul, no feelings, it missed the mark on data/audio points. I went on HZD yesterday, immediately felt drawn in, all I did was stand around for 15 mins. Than I listened to some of the audio stuff and realised that HFW just lacks feels. I went to Dimmed Bones and waited for daylight and just looked over the surrounding areas and realised that HFW also has way too much fog. You can enjoy the scenery more in HZD as there is very clearly less fog. I took maybe 20 extra pics. I eventually got so embraced by the emotion, I had to get off as it was killing me honestly. I felt everything anew again, the loss, the temporary victory and the dread, it was amazing, but yeah all too much at the same time. I will 100% have to redo the entire game and get the feels back that HFW removed completely from within me. Now that I know the 2nd story though, some certain parts of HZD feel weird to me, I'm not liking that at all. I have severe doubts that will ever change or go away with time.
I think I'll end it there, but honestly a lot of it was severely improved over HZD. But yeah I do miss some things and even miss the intense story emotions. But oh well, it is what it is.
Stunning Sequel
scotrutherford7 June 2022
I've never seen a more gorgeous game. Add to that an incredible story of epic depth and breadth, as well as phenomenal voice acting. The only thing they need to fix is go less shooter and more melee. They tend to over complicate battles- my favourite example: doing well in melee enables you you to switch to a bow attack. You're in close range people. Upgrade your ram if you like this kind of silliness. Other than that some serious hard, brilliant work went into the tribes, customs and cultures Aloy encounters. It's the best game out there at present.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
