Horizon Forbidden West picks up where the original game left off, with Ashly Burch reprising her role as protagonist Aloy in a fantastic performance.
The world that Aloy and her comrades inhabit is now at the mercy of a new threat, and Aloy sets out on a quest to stop it.
The game starts in familiar surroundings, but Aloy’s adventure quickly takes her to the “Forbidden West,” a vast land that encompasses jungles, deserts, prairies, and reaches all the way to the sandy beaches of San Francisco.
The game’s incredibly detailed character models contribute significantly to the overall experience.
The characters in Horizon Forbidden West look almost lifelike, with impressively animated facial expressions accompanying every word they utter.
However, the game doesn’t quite measure up to some of PlayStation’s other published titles, with Guerrilla Games seemingly struggling to animate the characters’ eyeballs in particular.
Players may notice several scenes where the characters are supposed to be looking at each other, but their eyes roll around in odd directions, or they’re facing the wrong way. This can be distracting, but overall, the character interactions represent a significant leap forward from Zero Dawn.
Combat in Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West offers intense and action-packed combat scenarios, where players are free to choose their preferred approach.
For instance, players can either take on encampment enemies silently and individually, or engage in explosive battles with machines.
With around 40 machines to fight, the game offers a variety of strategies to take them down, with each machine requiring its own unique approach. The machine battles in Horizon Forbidden West are similar to mini-Monster Hunter encounters, with players chipping away at the machines to weaken them.
Swimming in Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Forbidden West is a highly entertaining game that can keep players engaged for countless hours.
However, the game does have some flaws that players should be aware of. Apart from the graphical oddities that are present in the game, there is some jankiness that can be noticed while playing.
One of the most significant issues is the tendency of Aloy, the protagonist, to get stuck on objects while swimming through tight spaces.
This can be frustrating for players as it may force them to reset the game a couple of times. The game auto-saves frequently enough to minimize the impact of such issues, and they can be quickly resolved without causing any significant problems.
Aloy’s Abilities in Horizon Forbidden West
As players progress through a video game where they fight machines, they will explore a vast open world.
Luckily, the protagonist, Aloy, has various tools to make this experience exciting. One of her abilities is climbing, which has been improved in the game.
The device she uses to scan for things in the environment is now clearer in defining climbing points, making it easier for players to climb.
Climbing is also less rigid, allowing players more freedom than before. Additionally, Aloy has a glider that helps players navigate the open world.
The game, Forbidden West, seems to have taken inspiration from another popular game, Breath of the Wild, which makes it even more enjoyable.
Aloy vs the machines
In Horizon Forbidden West, the main character Aloy will face all sorts of amazing and scary creatures, some of which you might have seen before, while others will be brand new.
These creatures are all made of metal and have some very unique abilities that make them very challenging to fight against. To defeat them, you will need to be quick, smart, and use the environment to your advantage, like climbing up pillars or taking cover in ancient ruins.
With beautiful graphics and exciting gameplay, this game is sure to be an epic adventure that you won’t want to miss!
The richness of the Open World
The West is a mesmerizingly beautiful place that seems to have no end. The vast expanse of the region extends beyond the horizon of the visible, and as we gaze upon it, we are immediately filled with an unquenchable desire to explore it. Its size is not what leaves us awestruck, for it is not exponentially larger than that of Zero Dawn.
Rather, it is the sheer diversity of the area that astounds us – the incredible variety of biomes that can be traversed, and the dense population of both metallic and fleshy fauna.
Each new region, mountain range, and vast prairie that appears before our eyes beckons us to explore and discover all the secrets that they hold. The West is a land of endless possibilities, and we cannot help but feel overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of exploring it all.
Conclusion
Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime in the post apocalyptic world of Horizon: Forbidden West? Let me tell you, this game is an absolute masterpiece!
From the lush and beautiful environments to the delightful character animations and expressions, everything about this game is top-notch.
As you venture through the game, you’ll be constantly amazed by the wonderful setting, fun combat, and engaging story. And let’s not forget the lovely visuals that are sure to take your breath away.
The occasional reminders of the pre-war days add some flavor to the surroundings, making it feel like a world you can truly immerse yourself in.
While some minor technical issues may hold the game back, it’s nothing that takes away from the overall experience. Trust me, you’ll be hooked from the first moment you pick up your bow and arrow to hunt robot dinosaurs.
If you haven’t played the original, I highly recommend finishing Zero Dawn first. But if you’re up for a thrilling challenge and want to see how far your skills can take you, then Horizon: Forbidden West is the game for you.
Two of the finest open-world games are awaiting you – are you ready to embark on this epic journey?
