5 WAYS HORIZON – FORBIDDEN WEST EXPLODES ON ITS PREDECESSOR
Horizon: Zero Dawn was a solid foundation for a new world. It also became a PlayStation icon. The sequel builds on this foundation and delivers one of the best open-world experiences in the last decade. These are five ways Horizon: Forbidden west improves upon its predecessor.
The latest PlayStation exclusive has been a hit with critics and gamers alike. Horizon – Forbidden West continues Aloy’s mission to save the planet from a mysterious blight. Horizon was the first IP to be created. The sequel builds on the foundation and makes it a great experience. These are five ways Horizon: Forbidden West improves upon the original.
DO YOU NEED IT? DON’T NEED IT? STASH IT!
One of my few complaints about Horizon was Zero Dawn’s limited resource inventory. Aloy didn’t have a lot of money in an open world full of stuff you could find from the remains of downed machines. Forbidden west solves this problem by giving players the ability to stash resources. Anything that you find in your pouch while out in the wilds can be treasured and placed in a chest Aloy can access when he returns to his settlement. I know that I’m not alone in my obsession with finding every old-world antique, machine part, and plant.
Aloy cannot access these resources during missions, so craft materials must still be managed when fighting. Knowing that crafting materials are only a quick travel pack away gives me some comfort. This keeps me well-armed and ready to face any unfriendly machines that might interrupt my innocent rummaging. Let’s talk about engines. This is the one that will put Aloy’s endurance and skill to the ultimate test.
PREHISTORIC MACHINES
Towering juggernauts of mechanical rage, the machines that populate the world of post-post-apocalyptic United States, are something to behold! Horizon Zero Dawn was home to some awesome mechs, but nothing can compare to the wild west. While familiar machines such as the ThunderJaw, Charger, and GlintHawk are back, new additions take on a prehistoric feel. The Clawstrider is a Velociraptor-like machine used by the criminal outlaw group led and controlled by Regalia, the matriarch.
The Slaughterspin is my favorite addition. It’s a genuinely terrifying creature that gives the Thunderjaw a tough time as one of the most formidable opponents in the game. These titans will test Aloy’s limits, even when faced with the most difficult challenges. Although killing is not always the best option, sometimes it is hard to ignore these machines as they stalk the land. It’s also difficult not to marvel at Guerilla’s ability to create compelling creatures that can either save your life or end yours.
A LIVING WORLD
Horizon: Zero Dawn, as stunningly beautiful as it was, was a proof-of-concept. The world can sometimes feel static as a result. Aloy’s journey may feel lonely with the dialogue between his companions limited to shortcuts. The advanced facial animations were not enough to make the exchange and movement seem real. These are the issues most open-world games have to deal with, and these visuals offer some of the best visuals on current-generation consoles.
Rockstar Game’s Red Dead Redemption II can match the show’s level of detail. Voice acting and motion capture are exceptional, with characters from the principal to the side that you might only meet once. As Aloy walks through the desert biome, she is covered in sweat. Horizon is filled with these small details. You can’t help but put down the DuelSense and gaze at the visual feast before you. The game is not worth the effort of watching a YouTube walkthrough or graphical analysis. It is breathtaking!
SUBSTANTIAL SIDE CONTENT
Side quests and optional content are the mainstays of open-world gaming. No matter how great the main story is, if the world feels boring and filled with repetitive fetch quests, what’s the point of playing? Aloy’s first outing was successful in its central storyline, but it failed when it came time to add side content, particularly side quests. It was often interrupted by tedious fetch quests that made the player feel like a postman. Too many games rely on the “go here, fetch that and bring it back” format.
Upon entering the first chunk of the map, you will notice improvements immediately. You will find the inhabitants of Chainscrape living under the unwelcome direction of Blvd. Blvd is a scrupulous miner and general villain. Side quests will help Ulvunds loosen his grip on the town. I felt a sense of accomplishment like I have never felt in other RPGs. Even after exploring the west, I still meet compelling people with worthwhile stories and tasks to share.
SIZE MATTERS
Horizon: Forbidden East is huge… Colossally great! The world is so significant that I was often captivated by its share scale. You’d be forgiven if you stood on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean between the ruins of San Francisco and the mainland. The only thing in sight was the rolling waves mirroring the stars above. Let’s not dwell on the poetics for a minute and get to the details. The forbidden west divides its world into several biomes: desert, Forrest, and jungles; oceans, oceans, and Bay City ruins.
However, exploration doesn’t stop at the highest peaks. Aloy can dive into lakes, underwater ruins, and the deepest oceans with a breathing apparatus. The new underwater world is beautifully realized with the most fantastic water physics ever seen in video games. The PS5’s power is evident in the lush environments, mechanical beasts, life, and other creatures that it supports. It is impossible to imagine what developers can do in the future as the hardware and software of the PS5 are improved and optimized. Horizon – Forbidden West has the most beautiful game on PS5.
