Horizon: Zero Dawn Off-Screen Gameplay Footage, First Impressions from GAF

[SWORDF1SH]

Here's are some first impressions from over at GAF;

FelipeMGM

The demo starts with Aloy at a higher ground with a vista to some robotic creatures. There are watchers, the one used as a mount and also a shielded creature that kinda looks like a turret (?) on the fields, and also some natural wildlife like some rabbits and boars. The demo was basically an open area where you could fudge around for some time.
First of all, wow at the visuals and also the animations, both from Aloy and the creatures. They are not only good to look at, but also very fluid while playing. My biggest concern with Horizon was always the fear of having a janky gameplay as other open world RPG have, but I'm so relieved now. The bow and the spear are great and work as a nice combo for the combat. The focus ability is also a big part of it since the creatures have weak spots as we already seen. In a couple of minutes of combat I had already felt really comfortable with the mechanics.
Shooting an enemy from distance, then watching it rush at my position and then dashing away from its rush and then hitting with the melee spear felt so good.
Stealth gameplay was also good, but sometimes AI felt a bit dumb by not seeing me, but that happens in most games. A big thumbs up for the AI was when I took control of the mount and then watchers came and attacked it, the AI vs AI encounters were awesome to see, again thanks to the great animations.
The mounting felt great, but when going too fast I did notice some texture popping. Also, the game has a climbing system that reminded me a lot of Uncharted climbing.
One thing I think is a safe bet though is that crafting has a big part in this game since there are resources all around the scenario and creatures.
The area is not so big, it had a river, some bridges an old house. It felt alive because of the creatures and wildlife but was short of many interesting exploring focused places, but again, it's clearly a demo focused on combat and movement, not exploration.
Bow and arrow were L2 and R2 with L1 for the weapom weel, melee was R1, circle was the dash jump, square was crouch/stealth and d pad you had items like for example health stuff was D-pad up.
The game just felt and looked really good and more than ever I feel like Sony and Guerrilla have a big hitter on their hands with Horizon.

Cubas

Also played it today at BGS.
I agree with Felipe. The visuals are great and the gameplay is pretty good. The only reason I'm not fully convinced yet is that the demo was simply a sandbox. No quests, no story.
Don't get me wrong, the mechanics are good, but not good enough to make the game worth playing if the quests are shame.

mishakoz

Played it at Pax. The theatre presentation was the exact same as the e3 demo, although the interaction with the demon guy felt a little less stilted for some reason
Hands on was a section where we were hunting a bunch of animals. Felt great, shooting a boar in the leg would cause it to stumble. At one point the boarstraight jumped over a giant rock while I had to go around. So pathing is great.
Definitely stoked on this game right now.

From GAF via Horizon: Zero Dawn Gets Raving First Impressions from Lucky Brasil Game Show & PAX West Attendees

[Lordfancypants]

This game and the wild are on my want list.

[SWORDF1SH]

This game and the wild are on my want list.

I'm a Killzone fan and Guerilla Games know how to make a good looking game that plays fantastic. But they've always struggled to give their games soul, Killzone 3 was the closest they've come to a good story with fantastic character design and a half decent story.
With Horizon I know this will be a fantastic to play game, I just worry on the story side of things.

[Lordfancypants]

I'm a Killzone fan and Guerilla Games know how to make a good looking game that plays fantastic. But they've always struggled to give their games soul, Killzone 3 was the closest they've come to a good story with fantastic character design and a half decent story.
With Horizon I know this will be a fantastic to play game, I just worry on the story side of things.

Yeah, I agree with that. The last killzone was excellent looking, stunning really, but I don't remember the story at all.

[SWORDF1SH]

Yeah, I agree with that. The last killzone was excellent looking, stunning really, but I don't remember the story at all.

I didn't finish it. One level was rock solid, probably the poorest level design I've see from them. There's an enslaught of enemy in a giant warehouse and your ammo stock is on an exposed platform. Since you need to go to this platform every 30 seconds to restock,  you just get picked off very easy and going into cover behind the barrier for some reason doesn't protect you. Got frustrated and gave up. Loved the multiplayer thought.

[the-pi-guy]

I'm a Killzone fan and Guerilla Games know how to make a good looking game that plays fantastic. But they've always struggled to give their games soul, Killzone 3 was the closest they've come to a good story with fantastic character design and a half decent story.
With Horizon I know this will be a fantastic to play game, I just worry on the story side of things.

They've been hiring writers for this game.

[DerNebel]

I hope we keep this in mind, I've seen nothing but positive impressions online from people who played this.

GG and Sony have a hit on their hands here.

[SWORDF1SH]

They've been hiring writers for this game.

I'm sure I heard the same thing about Shadow Fall and they were attempting to bring a more human element to the story (I can't find a source but I'm sure Herman Hulst said it in a interview somewhere). They completely failed imo. I'll keep an open mind until I know more.

I hope we keep this in mind, I've seen nothing but positive impressions online from people who played this.

GG and Sony have a hit on their hands here.

I have no doubt it will play amazing. What I've seen to far is impressive and from gameplay alone it'll probably be a day one buy. I'm just not going to expect a deep rich story until I see more.

[Legend]

I'll skip the video since I'm already onboard.

Killzone 3 and Shadowfall were great imo. Never played the first two.

I didn't finish it. One level was rock solid, probably the poorest level design I've see from them. There's an enslaught of enemy in a giant warehouse and your ammo stock is on an exposed platform. Since you need to go to this platform every 30 seconds to restock,  you just get picked off very easy and going into cover behind the barrier for some reason doesn't protect you. Got frustrated and gave up. Loved the multiplayer thought.

That level was hard but fun imo!

[SWORDF1SH]

I'll skip the video since I'm already onboard.

Killzone 3 and Shadowfall were great imo. Never played the first two.
That level was hard but fun imo!

You probably have better skills than me lol
Killzone 3 is my favourite for both single player and multiplayer. Shadow Fall gameplay felt the most polished.

[Legend]

You probably have better skills than me lol
Killzone 3 is my favourite for both single player and multiplayer. Shadow Fall gameplay felt the most polished.

Haha oh no I'm average at most games, but I'm good at exploiting their mechanics.

[the-pi-guy]

I'm sure I heard the same thing about Shadow Fall and they were attempting to bring a more human element to the story (I can't find a source but I'm sure Herman Hulst said it in a interview somewhere). They completely failed imo. I'll keep an open mind until I know more.

Not sure about that.  
Even still, even if that is the case it doesn't compare at all to what they've been doing with Horizon.  
Ex-Bethesda and CD Projekt Red developers helped build Horizon's open world | GamesRadar+
Guerrilla Games Keeps Hiring Witcher 3 Veterans for its Rumored PS4 Open World RPG  |  DualShockers

They're calling in people with experience.  

[SWORDF1SH]

Not sure about that.  
Even still, even if that is the case it doesn't compare at all to what they've been doing with Horizon.  
Ex-Bethesda and CD Projekt Red developers helped build Horizon's open world | GamesRadar+
Guerrilla Games Keeps Hiring Witcher 3 Veterans for its Rumored PS4 Open World RPG  |  DualShockers

They're calling in people with experience.  

That's a good sign.

[nnodley]

Yeah I've been in for this game ever since the reveal.  Got my collectors edition on preorder and can't wait!!

[BananaKing]

That's a good sign.

they are certainly hiring and trying to up their game with Horizon. i think that the style of Killzone limited them with telling a proper story. yes, the helghan are bad dog, but they didnt have that depth or complexity, they were just space nazi's. and the main character sev, was just a dude bro character, as that was the target audience for the game.

but with Horizon they have a better basis and setting for telling a story, they are attempting to offer this majestic setting, a world full of secrets and trying to give that feeling of "what really happened?". having a female lead will also make them approach story telling very differently than with a generic soldier.