Summary
- Horizon Zero Dawn's lack of weapon variety was addressed in Forbidden West, offering distinct choices with stats and functions.
- Forbidden West offers a more balanced gameplay experience with rare weapons feeling truly rare.
Horizon Zero Dawn added yet another inventive and exciting original property to PlayStation's catalog when it released in 2017. Aloy's adventure through post-apocalyptic America offered both an inventive story and thrilling gameplay, all set in an open world rife with mysteries to uncover. In Horizon Forbidden West, developer Guerrilla Games considerably expanded on the foundation it laid with Zero Dawn. From its impressive graphical overhaul to the density of its titular setting, Horizon Forbidden West did just about everything a sequel should, especially when it comes to making gameplay feel distinct from its predecessor.
Guerrilla Games demonstrated considerable creativity when expanding gameplay from Horizon Zero Dawn to Forbidden West. On the surface, the most notable changes are the suite of weapons available for Aloy to use in Forbidden West. Compared to Zero Dawn, Forbidden West also made a significant quality-of-life change by altering how it handles some of the game's best weapons. The end result was a greater sense of progression through Forbidden West's expansive landscape, and a greater feeling of importance when choosing a loadout for Aloy's hunts.
After Forbidden West, Exploring One Location in Horizon 3 is a Must
With the scope of locales seen in Horizon so far, specifically in terms of Old World sites, the next title should deliver on one rich with potential.
Horizon Forbidden West Makes Earning Weapons Feel More Important
Horizon Zero Dawn did a lot of things very well, but one area where it faltered was its handling of weapons. Like many other RPGs, Zero Dawn's weapons were categorized according to a rating system that denoted how powerful they were. In the early portions of the game, players mostly had common weapons to choose from that got the job done without doing anything sensational. Just a few hours in, though, it becomes clear that Zero Dawn is a little generous with its loot. So generous that it's not very difficult to get some of Zero Dawn's best weapons before reaching the game's halfway point.
In many RPGs, it's not necessarily a bad thing to earn or happen upon a weapon that proves to be really strong for a decent period of time. The usual expectation, however, is that weapons will eventually fall by the wayside as enemies become stronger and better weaponry options come into play. Zero Dawn largely failed to execute on this, as most bows and slingshots found in its last quarter were either outright inferior or marginally different to those obtained earlier on. Though they may offer somewhat different experiences, there was no sense in trying out new weaponry when others could take down a Thunderjaw just as well.
Horizon Zero Dawn was a lot of things, and that includes being a proof of concept.
Guerrilla Games thoroughly addressed this issue in Forbidden West by offering more distinct weapon choices, both in terms of stats and function, and making high-tier gear a more challenging commodity to acquire. Very rare weapons actually feel very rare, ensuring players have to tough it out with common or rare tools for longer than they did in Zero Dawn. The sequel also compensates for this change by introducing an upgrade system for weapons and armor, allowing players to keep their gear useful as Aloy ventures further westward. Overall, it offers a more balanced experience that creates a thorough sense of growth.
Horizon Zero Dawn was a lot of things, and that includes being a proof of concept. Guerrilla Games managed to develop a unique IP with heaps of world building, set in a highly-detailed open world, using gameplay mechanics that felt both familiar yet unique, all while constructing a narrative that can be thoroughly explored within a tight 30–40 hours. That its weapons lacked some variety when taking everything else into account is a small drop within a large bucket, and Forbidden West demonstrates that all Guerrilla Games needed was a foundation to build on. If Horizon receives a third installment after LEGO Horizon Adventures, it has the opportunity to give players so many weapons that they may forget about Zero Dawn's paltry offerings.
Horizon Forbidden West
- Released
- February 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Aloy as she braves a majestic but dangerous new frontier that holds mysterious new threats. This Complete Edition allows you to enjoy the critically acclaimed Horizon Forbidden West on PC in its entirety with bonus content, including the Burning Shores story expansion that picks up after the main game.
Explore distant lands, fight bigger and more awe-inspiring machines, and encounter astonishing new tribes as you return to the far-future, post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.
The land is dying. Vicious storms and an unstoppable blight ravage the scattered remnants of humanity while fearsome new machines prowl their borders, and life on Earth is hurtling toward another extinction.
It's up to Aloy to uncover the secrets behind these threats and restore order and balance to the world. Along the way, she must reunite with old friends, forge alliances with warring new factions and unravel the legacy of the ancient past.
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Guerrilla Games
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Horizon
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- How Long To Beat
- 29 Hours
- Metascore
- 88
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
