Since the first game: Horizon: Zero Dawn I have been eagerly awaiting this sequel. Every trailer and gameplay video looked amazing and I couldn't wait to play it. However the first game was so incredible I thought there was no way they would be able to do better. I was completely wrong. Everything in Horizon Forbidden West feels brand new while also having the same feel of the previous game making it truly the perfect continuation.
Story: 8.5/10
With the previous installment having wrapped up so nicely I was wondering what the next story in the Horizon series could possibly be about. As you start playing through the story starts taking some absolutely wild turns that I don't think anyone could see coming. I don't want to spoil anything but this game definitely expands on the horizon world and then some.
Score: 8/10
The songs you hear like the main theme and boss music are amazing but overall most of the game is pretty quiet when you are exploring around the world.
Characters/Character Development: 9.5/10
One of Horizons strongest suites is its characters. No matter how big or small a character's role in the story or side quest, characters act and react in a way that feels natural which really brings you into the game.
Graphics: 10/10
This game looks absolutely stunning. Just looking around at all the scenery is something that is truly captivating. Everything from characters to enemies to the design of small objects makes this game stand out.
Gameplay: 10/10
I didn't think there was much to be improved when I played Horizon Zero Dawn but Forbidden West has really stepped it up a notch. Having a glider is a nice touch to get down from a high place while being able to admire the world around you. You can now shoot off parts of weapons from machines and use them as your own for a limited time which can deliver big damage and feels incredibly rewarding when you can pull it off. It also gives you something to aim for when trying to kill bigger enemies.
Difficulty: 7/10 (0 being the easiest, 10 being the hardest)
The biggest difficulty I faced was trying to keep health. Eventually I started using a valor surge that would give me additional health back throughout the fight which helped greatly but some enemies are a tough challenge if you leave yourself open. Luckily there was nothing I couldn't overcome after a few tries.
Fun: 10/10
This world is truly amazing with so many diverse things to do which stops the game from getting boring. Loads of side quests allow you to experience more of the story if that is something you want. Getting up the tallnecks is something that makes you really think outside of the box when the path forward isn't always obvious. Long story short, this game tests a lot of your brain in a great way.
Recommended for-
- Fans of open world games
- PlayStation owners