Horizon Zero Dawn Review
9/10
This open world adventure game set in a time period that seems to be the mixture of past and future was a title that could be a technical showcase as to what the power of the PS4 was capable of.
You are Aloy, a woman who was an outcast since birth and you spend most of the game trying to figure out why, while learning about how the very world you were banished from works. This is a 3rd person perspective action game that allows for a few different playstyles including stealth with traps and surprise attacks, raw in your face melee action or the games seemingly intended form of combat, ranged weaponry. All work well in their own way and makes players see different enemies in different lights in terms of difficulty. Some are easier to take down in close while others are a breeze to deal with from afar. Playing this on stream showed me how differently I played it in relation to a lot of my viewers preferred styles.
The visuals are unique and wonderful.. and I truly mean that some of the areas leave you full of wonder when you take it all in. The combat is high paced and even higher action that actually lends itself to a streamingk scenario because watching another execute what is needed to survive sometimes is an experience not a lot of game can make enthralling. Its just as fun to watch as it is to play, plain and simple. The controls are incredible and how they mapped out the controller in tandem with all of the options available is really something that shouldn't be overlooked as a programming feat.
Aloy's story is one of being exposed to an entirely new world in the same way you as the player are when first load up this title. Discovery is encouraged and experimentation can go a long way in changing your play style for the better even when you finally feel comfortable in the ever expanding world full of robotic beasts you have to clash with.
This is one of the best open world games that I have ever played and I say that knowing I may have cheapened the experience by prioritizing trophy hunting over full game immersion. 80+ hour platinum. 9/10
