Watching this game for the first time at E3 my jaw dropped
at the stunning visuals, the world its trying to create and, most important are
the amazingly designed mechanize dinosaurs. When I heard that the developers of
Killzone were making this game, it made me a little warry. Hearing that this is
an open world 3rd person RPG – these were not the type of games
Guerrilla Games developed.
Guerrilla was always known for their tight
first-person shooting, and for them to make something out of their comfort zone
could be something special or something that had promise but flopped. It’s
great to say that Horizon Zero Dawn was an amazing accomplishment for Guerilla
Games this year and year to come.
Horizon’s Open World is Lush and Lively
The world in Horizon
is so interesting and full of mysteries it keeps you wondering for most of the
game. As the game goes on you learn more about Aloy’s (Main character) past and
how she is tied within the world.
The cities and
settlements in the world of Horizon are well-realized and felt lived in. The
city of Meridian is the biggest city in the game. The city has rules, a king,
and citizens that are just as afraid of the machines then other smaller
settlements. Though you won’t see Meridian until the latter end of the game, it
is a sight to see.
The world has so
much mechanical wildlife, as well as, regular wildlife that is scattered
throughout the world. The mechanical wildlife was placed in the world where it
would make ecological sense —for example Grazer’s are usually in an open field
with many other Grazers, much like gazelles.
You can find most of
the machines just from looking at the environment. In swampy areas you are sure
to find snapmaw – a crocodile-like machine and other smaller machines like
Grazer or Lancehorn trying to drink water. Just watching these machines is so
fascinating, much like watching an animal documentary. The AI built into the
machines is incredible. They way they behave and move feel is believable.
I know that Horizon
is about hunting these machines, but I can watch them all day and just
observe.
The Combat System is Fun and Challenging
Playing through the
first few hours I quickly got a hang of the combat. Using the bow and arrow is
smooth and main weapon – shooting an arrow into the eye of a Watcher is
impactful and satisfying, especially when every pinpoint hit provides a
satisfying audio cue. Each machine has weak points that are indicted through
visuals – there will be glowing parts that can be shot off.
The parts that come
off machines can be used for upgrades, crafting, and modifiers. This gives
incentive to always be hunting, because there are some items that can’t be
bought and must be created. Crafting is a huge part of this game as you use it
for arrows, health, bombs, and traps. Using these items gives you the upper
hand in combat.
Bows and arrows have
curtain traits that will give an advantage in combat. Curtain bows can do more
damage, or it can shoot multiple arrows at once. Arrows are just as important
as the bow. As you progress through the games you’ll be able to craft more
different arrows. For example; Fire arrows can be used to set machines on fire,
or Precision arrows that can do high damage upon impact. There are many more
types of arrows that could fit your playstyle – the more you’re accustom to the
machine and the arrows, the more the combat will come naturally.
Hunting these
machines are no easy task. Explaining the systems are any easy way to
understand my thinking when engaged with a machine. This mechanical wildlife
can be vicious, some don’t mind your presents – but once it feels endangered
any machine will engage you at full force. The bigger the machine the more
difficult it is to hunt and, rightfully so. All their abilities and the way
they charge at you with no repercussion for their own can put you in a
dangerous situation. These abilities are different with each machine.
A Trampler’s
abilities is around explosions and ramming the enemy. Their Charge ability will
thrust themselves forward with a fire element that will do damage over time for
10 seconds. This is just one of their abilities, to have a leg up on them you
need to know what that machine is and its abilities, the bow and arrows your
using, and the crafting materials.
Amazingly Designed Robot Wildlife
The first thing that
grabbed players to Horizon was the beautiful, gigantic robotic animals. These
machines look amazing, and their real-life counterparts are similar enough to
make me believe this could be made in the real world. Guerrilla Games did an awesome
making them look similar, but they also made their behavior believable. The way
the Glinthawks fly high and then swoop down to attack was a scary realization
of how accurate these machines are to our real-world animals.
The open world
nature of Horizon and its history lends itself to fill things in the world.
Guerrilla filled it in with many types machines, each associated with a curtain
class; Terra-formers are designed to manipulating the earth to help growth of
plants, Purifiers have similar design with Terra-formers, but has a duty
detoxifying the atmosphere and marine biosphere. Recyclers are the my most
favorite class – as recyclers they are tasked with breaking and bringing back
parts to the Cauldron (Where Machines are created). These are just a few class
types with many others having a job that will contribute to better the world.
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Horizon Zero Dawn’s
amazingly crafted open world, awesome machine designs, and the satisfying
combat system made Horizon #2 on my list. This game was released early in the
year and there were so many great games that came after it I didn’t know if it
would crack my top 5.
Going back to it
with the Frozen Wild DLC a couple of weeks ago gave me the time to give Horizon
a second thought, and I’m glad I did. The difficulty of the combat system was
tough to get back too, but after some time it’ll come back. The new Machines
reminded me of all the battles I had with the Lancehorns, Snapmaw, Sawtooth,
and Thunderjaw.
Horizon will be my
reminder that when a developer has something to show, even if they don’t have
the pedigree – never count them out because a passion project can be better
then just a dream.
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