When Does Horizon Forbidden West Get Good?
Fans argue Horizon Forbidden West will take a new fan between 10-15 hours to get into the gameplay and storytelling, but will be rewarded with one of the most unique landscapes in modern gaming.
While the story can feel slow at times, and there are countless side quests that can distract from the main storyline, Horizon Forbidden West fans argue the overall experience are well worth the complete journey.
What Fans Say
Fans of Horizon Forbidden West are captivated by its enhanced open-world environment, intricate world-building, and new robotic creatures. Aloy’s journey is filled with deeper environmental storytelling, more diverse biomes, and new mechanics like underwater exploration, grappling, and gliding, which give the game a dynamic edge over its predecessor. The visuals and technical polish have also earned praise, with PlayStation 5 users particularly thrilled by the fidelity and detail the new hardware brings. Fans also appreciate the return of familiar characters alongside an intriguing cast of newcomers that enrich the storyline and Aloy’s personal journey.
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What Haters Say
Critics argue that while Horizon Forbidden West builds on Horizon Zero Dawn, it occasionally feels weighed down by repetitive side quests and mechanics. Some players feel the combat is occasionally clunky and challenging when managing larger, complex enemy groups. There are also complaints about pacing issues, especially with the main quest, where some found the story progression slow at points. A subset of players also believes that the game’s open world, while beautiful, occasionally lacks sufficient interactivity beyond its surface aesthetics, making certain areas feel more like a backdrop than an engaging playground.
Aggregated Critic Commentary
Critics generally praise Horizon Forbidden West for its advancements over the first game, from more refined combat and movement mechanics to the diversity of new enemies and landscapes. The new accessibility features and quality-of-life improvements were also widely noted, with positive feedback on how the game adapts to different playstyles. However, some critics echo player concerns over pacing and suggest that while the narrative and world-building are ambitious, they may not fully sustain momentum over the extended runtime. Still, the game has garnered high scores, with much appreciation for its visual prowess, narrative depth, and ambitious design.
Overview of the Game
Horizon Forbidden West, developed by Guerrilla Games and released in 2022, follows the protagonist Aloy as she ventures into the “Forbidden West” to investigate a mysterious blight endangering humanity. Set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by both human factions and robotic wildlife, Aloy’s journey takes her through lush forests, arid deserts, sprawling beaches, and advanced ruins from the Old World. Each environment presents unique challenges and enemies, with the game introducing new machine types alongside returning favorites from Horizon Zero Dawn.
The story picks up where Zero Dawn left off, as Aloy encounters new threats from hostile tribes and formidable machines. The game builds on the first installment’s foundation by introducing new tools, such as the Pullcaster and Shieldwing, which aid exploration and combat. Forbidden West’s story delves deeper into Aloy’s personal struggles and her responsibility to save humanity, while also exploring the wider world’s history and her relationships with other characters. This combination of narrative depth, high-stakes action, and expansive exploration has contributed to Horizon Forbidden West‘s success.
Game Breakdown
The main storyline of Horizon Forbidden West is divided into several key acts:
- Opening Chapters: Aloy begins her journey in a lush valley, learning about the deteriorating state of Earth’s biosphere. Early missions introduce players to essential gameplay mechanics and reveal the stakes of Aloy’s quest.
- Entering the Forbidden West: As Aloy moves westward, she encounters new factions and formidable machines. The expansive landscape reveals diverse biomes, each with distinct challenges.
- Conflict with Regalla’s Rebels: The narrative heightens as Aloy encounters Regalla, a fierce leader opposing Aloy’s goals. This storyline adds layers of tension, and the combat intensifies.
- Deeper Mysteries Uncovered: Aloy unlocks secrets of the Old World, encountering the game’s most dangerous machine foes and discovering remnants of past civilizations.
- Climactic Battle and Resolution: The final act delivers a series of high-stakes confrontations that culminate in a climactic showdown. Themes of sacrifice, survival, and the complex moral landscape of human choices drive the story to a satisfying conclusion.
Similar Games
Here are five games similar to Horizon Forbidden West in terms of gameplay, setting, or narrative depth:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Known for its richly layered story and expansive open world, The Witcher 3 offers complex choices and well-developed characters, akin to Aloy’s journey.
- Ghost of Tsushima – Combining an open world with nuanced combat and a compelling storyline, Ghost of Tsushima shares a similar appeal in terms of exploration and environmental storytelling.
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – This title brings vast exploration, dynamic combat, and a detailed historical setting, making it an engaging choice for fans of Forbidden West‘s exploration mechanics.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider – With its intricate tombs, exploration-focused gameplay, and strong protagonist, Shadow of the Tomb Raider offers a familiar blend of puzzle-solving and action.
- Far Cry Primal – Set in a prehistoric era, Far Cry Primal presents a natural world filled with unique wildlife and survival elements that fans of Horizon Forbidden West’s open world may enjoy.
For players who enjoy Horizon Forbidden West, these games offer similar experiences with unique twists:
- Control – This supernatural thriller combines open-ended exploration with an intriguing storyline and innovative mechanics that echo the immersive qualities of Horizon Forbidden West.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 – Known for its world-building, deep narrative, and realistic environments, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers players a richly immersive experience.
- God of War (2018) – Set within Norse mythology and following an emotional father-son journey, God of War combines action, exploration, and storytelling that fans of Horizon may appreciate.
- Death Stranding – This unique, atmospheric title offers open-world exploration with a narrative focus on survival and connection, aligning with Horizon Forbidden West‘s thematic elements of survival and discovery.