Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon · Mar 11, 2017, 10:42 PM

23 hours in and level 21. I feel I can now give a good assessment of the three pillars that make this game truly great:

The open world: Probably my favourite open world for an RPG bar none. Simply breathtaking it is not superficial, it has lots of depth through its ambiance and the weather effects. The sandstorm blowing through the desert and the wind in the forest add so much to the personality of this world. Absolutely incredible foliage that makes the world feel alive and a pleasant experience to blend into. A ton of diversity with mountains,forests,jungle,deserts,canyons,lakes and so on. A good array of interesting towns and villages to explore depicting each tribe differently and Meridian is also a very cool place. But it is the stories in the world that really adds another layer to the game. Walking through the deserted and destroyed cities,ruins of the old ones and exploring the cauldrons; the sense of wonder and mystery is in so many locations.This is world you want to explore rather than fast travel.

Controlling Aloy and combat: This is not even about how cool of a character she is - which does add to it - but more about the fluidity of combat and traversal of Aloy. The satisfaction you get from shooting the bow and getting a great shot or the delight you feel when you place a set tripwires it comes off. The wry smile that comes across ones face every time performing a silent kill. The sheer joy of rolling and dodging enemies as well as traversing up mountains. The progression tree on the face of it seems boring but most of the skills are very useful and will be beneficial in tougher battles and there will always be a skill you look at and think I could do with that ability.

The machines: Undoubtedly some of the coolest and most unique enemies faced in a game. Each machines is different, they coexist in the world so well and every time you explore the world there is always a constant presence of danger. Even watchers and grazers will give you trouble if you misfire too many arrows. Every time you come across a new machine, I have a palpable feeling of concern and cautiousness to the fight as you never know what weapons or attacks they could inflict on Aloy. Seeing a thunderjaw in the distance in a canyon or a sawtooth prowling in the night and sound of the mechanical feet trudge through a forest is always a heart pounding moment. As the game tells you: respect the machines.

These 3 elements truly make the game special for me. I like the story and I have found some great side quests but I cannot say yet whether it is worth buying the game just for the story yet. Buying it for the world,combat and machines though is worth it.

Xevross · Mar 11, 2017, 11:40 PM

^^ agree with you completely. It's probably my second favourite open world (GTA V) but it controls amazingly and the machines are probably my favourite video game enemy. Also the story is fantastic

Legend · Mar 12, 2017, 12:00 AM

STory ended pretty strong but I never really felt for Aloy. I cared much more about the world's problems than her problems.

nnodley · Mar 12, 2017, 12:49 AM

FINAL MISSION!!! Let's Do THIS!!!

DerNebel · Mar 12, 2017, 01:15 AM

Finished the game earlier and am only missing one trophy for the platinum, so I'm doing that now. Agree with what Xevross (I believe) said earlier in the thread, human combat is definitely the weakest part of the game, so much that can and imo has to be improved for a sequel.

nnodley · Mar 12, 2017, 01:36 AM

WOW!!! Great final mission!!

And this music is soooooooo good! Just listening to it play during the credits is amazing!

DD_Bwest · Mar 12, 2017, 02:29 AM

just passed the 60% completion mark

darkknightkryta · Mar 12, 2017, 03:31 AM

Quote from: DerNebel on Mar 12, 2017, 01:15 AMFinished the game earlier and am only missing one trophy for the platinum, so I'm doing that now. Agree with what Xevross (I believe) said earlier in the thread, human combat is definitely the weakest part of the game, so much that can and imo has to be improved for a sequel.

I was doing the revenge mission and before I went out I was just killing people underneath a platform (A.I. wouldn't go down to chase me). It was hell. I'd kill 10, 10 just magically spawned.

Riderz1337 · Mar 12, 2017, 05:47 AM

Beat the game. ~36 hours, 72% completion, lv 50 and around 85% or so trophy completion.

Fantastic game, I'm going to be going for the Platinum next.

DD_Bwest · Mar 12, 2017, 08:21 AM

up to around 62% now, 16 side quests done and 11 mainline quests, and a whole bunch of errands. Im a little tempted to get back onto the main story for a bit, as i think ive done all the side quests i can for now.. except the armor and hunters lodge weapons.

I had a blast doing the side quests so far, and laughed alot when i created an akward situation in the middle of a quest when i used override on a machine that i was surprised it would let me

Spoiler for Hidden:

BananaKing · Mar 12, 2017, 01:13 PM

im level 31 with 29~ hours of gameplay. yet i am still at the main missions where i need to be level 14~16 or so. yeah... i am loving this game a lot lol.

nnodley · Mar 12, 2017, 02:57 PM

Quote from: DD_Bwest on Mar 12, 2017, 08:21 AMup to around 62% now, 16 side quests done and 11 mainline quests, and a whole bunch of errands. Im a little tempted to get back onto the main story for a bit, as i think ive done all the side quests i can for now.. except the armor and hunters lodge weapons.

I had a blast doing the side quests so far, and laughed alot when i created an akward situation in the middle of a quest when i used override on a machine that i was surprised it would let me
Spoiler for Hidden:
redmaw lol he just kinda walked around while Talanah just stood there no clue what to do

I will say I think you have done most of the side missions. I've done 18, but I'm not sure if there are more that I just haven't came across. You still have quite a bit of story missions left.

Just found another errand in the game!! Surprised I came up on it since it was a place I had already been.

DD_Bwest · Mar 12, 2017, 09:24 PM

lol finally finishing off the makers end quest,

Spoiler for Hidden:

did i really hear that line correctly? lol who wrote that.. lol

Xevross · Mar 12, 2017, 09:26 PM

Quote from: DD_Bwest on Mar 12, 2017, 09:24 PMlol finally finishing off the makers end quest,
Spoiler for Hidden:
"three hundred and fifty thousand. . thats hundreds of years ago"

did i really hear that line correctly? lol who wrote that.. lol

Uhh maybe you didn't hear it correctly?

Spoiler for Hidden:

DD_Bwest · Mar 12, 2017, 09:34 PM

Quote from: Xevross on Mar 12, 2017, 09:26 PMUhh maybe you didn't hear it correctly?

Spoiler for Hidden:
It was 350,000 days

ooo that would make alot more sense lol i thought it said years