Horizon: Forbidden West Breakdown: What's New in the Sequel

Contents:

• Towards the Forbidden West
• Aloy's Transformation
• Minor Characters
• Plot Development
• Combat System
• Functionality Expanding
• Fixing Bugs
• Summing Up

In 2017, Guerrilla Games released Horizon: Zero Dawn, which quickly gained popularity and became a hit. By November 2021, the game had sold over 20 million copies across PS4 and PC. In February 2022, Horizon: Forbidden West, the sequel to Aloy's adventures, was released, continuing to develop the story and gameplay, attracting the attention of both new and dedicated fans of the series. These games are noted for high-quality graphics, a captivating storyline, and innovative mechanics, making them important events in the world of video games.

The editorial team of Gamedev Skillbox Media analyzed the key features of the sequel and also collected critics' opinions and interviews with representatives of the gaming industry about controversial aspects of the game. This article contains spoilers, so we recommend reading it only after completing the game.

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• How the player is introduced to the universe in the prologue;
• What changes have occurred in the personality of the main character and why they were criticized;
• How Aloy interacts with companions and antagonists;
• What are the specifics of the combat system in Horizon: Forbidden West and what difficulties may players encounter;
• What are the shortcomings in the visual part and what are their possible causes.

On the way to the Forbidden West

The prologue of Horizon: Forbidden West is designed for newcomers to the game universe and offers a brief retelling of the events of the previous part. This is narrated from the perspective of Sylens, one of the main characters in Horizon: Zero Dawn, helping players quickly immerse themselves in the story and understand key moments leading up to the new adventure. This approach ensures a smooth transition into the sequel and lays the groundwork for further plot development.

The character's monologue only touches on key plot points, rendering it emotionally insufficiently rich. It lacks anchors to connect it to previous events, leaving the introduction feeling dry and inexpressive. Other characters also mention past events, but their comments lack context, preventing a deeper understanding of the motivations and plot developments. For a more complete picture, it's important to integrate emotional elements and contextual connections, which will make the narrative more engaging and rich for the viewer.

A reviewer on Kotaku emphasized that the game's use of natural dialogue creates a deep atmosphere, immersing the player in the story in a way that mirrors real-life interactions. People don't insert awkward clarifications into every word, as NPCs often do. However, without an understanding of the universe's lore, players may have a hard time grasping the gist of characters' conversations. This may require you to play through the first part of the game or search for additional information online to better understand the plot.

To avoid players feeling the need to consult a wiki or replay the previous game, a sequel's script can be designed to allow new players to immerse themselves in the game without feeling like they're playing a sequel. This can be achieved by creating a unique and distinctive story. However, in my opinion, this approach can be too basic and doesn't always provide the depth and quality inherent in a true sequel. It's important to maintain connections to previous games to maintain the interest of loyal fans while attracting new players with fresh ideas and engaging storylines.

To achieve this goal, all available narrative tools should be used. One effective approach is to work with the level art of locations. For example, the player can encounter interactive objects, interacting with which allows them to immerse themselves in the events of the previous game. Instead of using dialogue, you can use background lines and conversations between NPCs that illuminate important events from the past. This approach not only deepens the story but also creates a richer game atmosphere, allowing the player to better understand the context of what is happening.

When choosing methods for conveying the story, the main criterion should be nativeness. Not all players are interested in a detailed understanding of the events of the previous game, so it is important to approach this issue naturally and unobtrusively. Effective methods of story integration contribute to a better perception of the game and increase player engagement. The use of organic narrative elements helps create a deeper immersion in the gameplay, making it more appealing to a wider audience.

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The player is immediately confronted with a harsh reality: the final battle against the destructive AIDA protocol from the previous game failed to save the world. Earth remains engulfed by aggressive machines, the biosphere suffers from a mysterious red corruption, and natural disasters are occurring with increasing frequency. The only way to stop this cycle of extinction is to restore the artificial intelligence GAIA, which is responsible for the rebirth of life. However, only the protagonist can do this.

In the prologue of Horizon: Forbidden West, Aloy begins her journey in search of working terminals to restore GAIA. However, her efforts prove futile, as reloading the backups becomes impossible due to sabotage orchestrated by members of Project Zero Dawn. At this point, Aloy receives a message from Sylens, urging her to travel to the lands known as the Forbidden West to search for surviving GAIA modules. During her exploration, she discovers that Sylens has taken the AIDA core for his own purposes. To unravel his plans, Aloy decides to continue her perilous adventure.

The rivalry between the protagonist and the mysterious traveler seeking knowledge continues to build tension in the second part, maintaining player interest. The main motivation for continuing the game is the desire to explore the new, exciting world that Guerrilla Games introduced in its trailers.

As you delve deeper into the lands of the Forbidden West, questions about the overall narrative become more and more pressing. This space, full of secrets and mysteries, demands careful analysis and critical perception. Every step into this territory reveals new aspects that may challenge previously established notions. It is important to consider that details and nuances can significantly change the perception of the events unfolding in this region. Therefore, a detailed study and understanding of the context are necessary for a deeper understanding of all the elements associated with the Forbidden West.

Aloy's Transformation

Questions about the protagonist's place in the world become especially relevant. In the new part of the game, her compatriots perceive Aloy not as an outcast of the Nora tribe, but as a living legend who saved them from the onslaught of destructive machines. She is loved and respected, people turn to her for help, and a monument has been erected in her honor. Although Aloy distances herself from her new status and renounces high-sounding titles, her behavior in the sequel causes bewilderment and sometimes irritation among those around her. This conflict between her inner world and public opinion becomes a central theme, highlighting the complexity of her character and the development of the plot.

The game contains numerous dialogues in which Aloy, with a sullen mood, declares the need to go to the West. However, the heroine doesn't reveal her true goal, only hinting that only she can save the planet. In an interview with PlayStation Blog, Guerrilla Games' lead writer, Ben McCaw, emphasizes that despite having many allies, Aloy continues to feel isolated and without a true home. This may explain her distance from other characters, which adds depth to her character and emphasizes the game's theme of loneliness.

In most cases, when players become attached to a character, they expect to see a familiar hero in a sequel. If a character exhibits traits they weren't used to in a new game, this can be confusing for the audience, especially if the time gap between the events of the original game and the sequel is short. Players want a continuation of a story in which they feel a connection with the hero, and changes in their character can disrupt this connection. Therefore, it is important to maintain the character's integrity to avoid disappointment with fans and ensure a positive reception of the new game.

During gameplay, it is important for the player to become familiar with the events that shape the character's personality. The player must experience these moments alongside the hero to better understand the changes in their personality and behavior. Otherwise, dissonance may arise, and the player will have to figure out the reasons for what is happening on their own. This can lead to misinterpretations of the writers' intent, as each of us perceives information differently. Effective storytelling and clear connections between events and character development foster a more complete understanding of the story and create deeper emotional engagement with the player.

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Gamespot described Aloy as a rather dull character, comparing her to "Batman, but not Bruce Wayne." Phil Hornshaw believed that she "just wanders the world in a gloomy mood, lost in thought about the new dangerous missions she must undertake." This criticism highlights the lack of depth and character development, which can negatively affect the perception of the game as a whole.

It feels like an outcast, defending his right to exist in his native tribe and striving for self-knowledge, is turning into a messiah. This move is fairly standard and leads to the fact that Aloy's character becomes flat. At times, the heroine is overshadowed by more deeply developed supporting characters.

Supporting Characters

IGN's reviewer emphasizes that the supporting characters have become more multi-faceted and engaging, harmoniously fitting into Aloy's plot and strengthening it. The characters' personalities are developed with greater attention, allowing players to deeply empathize with them and their stories.

According to Gamerant, one of the best side quests in the game is the story of Kothallo, the sheriff of the Tenakth tribe, and his companion Aloy. During a tense negotiation between representatives of the Carja and Tenakth, their meeting is attacked by rebels led by Regalla. As a result of this clash, Kothallo loses an arm, which is a great shame for Tenakth warriors, as physical strength plays a key role in their culture. The man suffers deeply from this loss, but Aloy's determination and dedication to her goal inspire him to overcome his difficulties. The story of Kothallo and Aloy highlights the importance of courage and support, making this side quest memorable and meaningful for players. He not only finds a solution to a difficult situation, but also embraces his new self. Thanks to GAIA, Kothallo discovers the world of prosthetics and creates a mechanical arm. However, even with this innovation, he chooses not to wear it constantly, using it only in combat.

Interaction with secondary characters in the game is not limited to completing quests. One-third of the way through the game, Aloy gains her own base, which serves as a hub. In this safe haven, she can recuperate, replenish resources, and interact with important NPCs. This not only advances the story but also deepens interaction with the game world, allowing players to better understand the motivations and backstories of supporting characters.

With each completed story quest chain, the game expands the number of companions who accompany Aloy in both main missions and side quests. However, despite this diversity, Aloy's interactions with these characters are rather limited. She behaves passively, asking only questions about the game's lore. Furthermore, after completing certain quests, companions become inactive and become more of a background presence than a full-fledged participant in the game's events. Their rare dialogues with each other and comments on what's happening do not create the feeling of a living world, depriving the player of the opportunity to delve deeper into the relationships with these characters.

Plot Development

The fate of the first game's main antagonist, Ted Faro, the creator of AIDA, is revealed mid-game through a separate quest chain. Along the way, the player learns that Faro became fascinated with experiments aimed at achieving immortality, which ultimately led to his transformation into a mutant. Interestingly, the character's new appearance remains behind the scenes. Ben McCaw explains this decision by saying that Horizon: Zero Dawn is not a horror game, and the development team wanted to leave room for players' imaginations, allowing them to fill in the details themselves. This decision highlights the unique approach to storytelling and player engagement in the game world.

The previous villain is replaced by new antagonists - members of the Far Zenith organization, who arrived aboard the ship Odyssey. This ship has become a refuge for the elite seeking to survive beyond Earth. The Far Zenith organization is a powerful force willing to do anything to maintain its status and resources, posing a threat to both those remaining on the planet and those seeking to restore order. This may come as a surprise to fans of the first game: documents from Horizon: Zero Dawn claim the Odyssey crashed. However, this information turned out to be false, and the ship actually successfully reached a planet in the Sirius system. In Horizon: Forbidden West, the crew returns to Earth with the goal of stealing a backup copy of GAIA for their own personal use. This development adds new storylines and expands the game's universe, emphasizing the importance of technology and its impact on human civilization. The Far Zenith characters possess immortality, superhuman strength, and the ability to fly, which, combined with their futuristic clothing, creates a somewhat stereotypical image typical of science fiction. It's hard to take these characters seriously, as they have minimal screen time, making it difficult to remember who's who.

The writers sometimes make exceptions for certain elite figures, fleshing out their characters and highlighting their contribution to preserving the Forerunner legacy. This allows for a deeper understanding of their role in history and their impact on the world around them. These revelations add layers and depth to the story, adding significance to the characters and their actions.

Scattered throughout the ruins of Las Vegas are the audio diaries of businessman Stanley Chen, a deceased participant in the Far Zenith project. In these recordings, the player discovers his desperate attempts to restore the water supply and save the city from complete destruction. These audio diaries not only reveal Chen's personality but also immerse the player in the atmosphere of hopelessness and the struggle for survival in the post-apocalyptic world. By studying his notes, players can better understand the challenges facing the residents of Las Vegas and the measures taken to save the city.

Tilda van der Meer is another key figure among the colonists, possessing exceptional skills in engineering and art history. In the past, she was close to Elisabet Sobeck, the creator of GAIA, and after the evacuation, she suffered deep remorse for leaving her on Earth without attempting to take her with her. When Tilda realizes that Aloy is not simply a clone of Elisabet but an enhanced version of her, she decides to support the girl, betraying her comrades. In the second half of the game, Tilda receives significant screen time, and her dialogue reveals her human side, which evokes sympathy. However, this sincerity conceals selfish intentions, which adds complexity to her character and deepens the storyline.

Fans of the series won't find much new about the Forerunner world in Horizon: Forbidden West. The fall of this civilization was clearly depicted in the first game through in-game documents, and the reasons for the planet's destruction were revealed. The sequel shifts the focus to the personal experiences of the characters, while the main conclusion remains the same: the collapse of civilization was the result of mistakes made by humanity.

According to a Kotaku author, the game exhibits the flaws typical of big-budget projects. Plot twists are introduced merely to shock the audience, and the story is artificially inflated to include as much lore as possible. Furthermore, the game's stakes reach absurd levels without justification, purely for the sake of extending the franchise's lifespan.

A reviewer for Eurogamer also expresses a similar view: "Horizon: Zero Dawn was a fun place to explore with the protagonist, and while some of the answers seemed ridiculous, they were still believable," the journalist notes. "In Horizon: Forbidden West, the joy of discovery fades, leaving only a story about a world dying from lack of regular maintenance and repair... the narrative occasionally veers into absurd, pointless sci-fi." This highlights the changes in the approach to the plot and perception of the game world in the sequel, which may cause disappointment for fans of the first part.

The game's ending concludes two key narratives: Aloy's team destroys the Far Zenith members, while the protagonist faces a cosmic threat of unprecedented proportions—the artificial intelligence Nemesis. This AI is determined to destroy all life on Earth. Nemesis pursued the ship's crew, forcing them to return to the planet to restore GAIA and restart it, leaving the world to its fate. The deadly AI was the result of experiments by the Zeniths themselves, setting the stage for a possible third game.

Combat

Aloy's journey, in addition to the Far Zenith members, includes hostile tribes and mechanical fauna. New elite machines have been added to the game's bestiary, such as the Behemoth, an elephant-like creature with massive tusks and a howdah on its back, and the Sunwing, which Aloy can use for aerial travel. Guerrilla Games' lead combat designer, Dennis Zopfi, noted in an interview with Game Developer that the creature designs from the first game have been updated and reimagined to avoid repetition and provide a fresh experience for players. This approach allows us to create a unique gaming atmosphere and variety in battles.

The game's combat system The strategy proved itself in the first game, and the basic tactic remains the same in the sequel: you need to knock off as many armor plates as possible to make the enemy vulnerable. Guerrilla Games' lead asset artist, Maxime Fleury, emphasizes that the team was guided by several fundamental principles when developing the creatures.

• Light metal armor plates should stand out against the darker materials of the machines' bodies;
• Interactive locations are color-coded (yellow denotes a resource, and orange denotes important parts like weapons and vulnerability points).

Hints provided to players help identify enemy vulnerabilities, making combat easier and more strategic. Additionally, hostile NPCs have also received improved armor, adding a new challenge to battles and requiring players to plan their moves more carefully.

Encounters with robots have become more dynamic thanks to new enemy animations. Some mechs attack from underground, while others alternate between melee and ranged combat, making every encounter unique and exciting. These changes significantly enhance the gameplay and add variety to combat strategies, requiring players to react quickly and adapt to different attack styles.

Battles in the game primarily take place in open locations populated by various mechanical creatures. These enemies are capable of attacking the player simultaneously, making thoughtful weapon use and stealth kills the most effective strategy. However, players often encounter surprise attacks that force them to fight multiple enemies at once. In these situations, combat becomes a dynamic process of dodging rapid enemy attacks. To survive and prevail, it is important to develop maneuvering and tactical skills, as well as optimize your weapon selection depending on the battlefield situation.

The main problem with the combat system in Horizon: Forbidden West is its ambiguity. Is it arcade shooters or a complex action game that requires precise timing for dodges? This uncertainty can make it difficult for players to adapt to the gameplay, as they must understand how to properly utilize character abilities and apply strategies in combat. Developing a clear combat system concept would have significantly improved the gaming experience and made it more engaging for players.

The first game received criticism from players for its lack of engaging close-quarters combat compared to ranged weapons, as well as for the repetitive nature of encounters with human opponents. Instead of focusing on refining the already successful machine-hunting mechanics with a diverse arsenal, the developers unexpectedly implemented a combo system for the standard spear in the sequel, which is primarily focused on combat with humans. This decision caused dissatisfaction, as players expected a deeper development of existing mechanics and a more interesting interaction with the core elements of the game.

The enemies we encounter are highly equipped. An arrow fired from any powerful bow primarily knocks off a helmet without causing significant damage. This applies unless special armor-piercing arrows with the ability to cause critical damage are used. These mechanics require players to more carefully consider their weapon selection and combat strategy.

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Some of the heroine's animations during combat encounters seem too slow. When Aloy is hit by a vehicle's tail, she falls and needs several seconds to get back up. These delays are critical when encountering powerful opponents, as the player is unable to regain control before being hit again. Improving the animation speed could significantly increase the dynamics of the game and provide a smoother gameplay.

Horizon: Forbidden West continues to suffer from a problem seen in the first game: homing attacks by enemies. It's important to note that for many melee attacks, as well as some ranged ones, the result depends not on the character's position, but on pressing the dodge button. This creates an iframe—a short period of time during which the character cannot take damage. This mechanic can negatively impact gameplay, especially in intense battles where precision and reaction time are key. Improving this system would significantly improve the ease of control and overall gameplay experience.

In practice, complex combinations of moves practiced in training may prove irrelevant. In real-world encounters, it is much more effective and safer to attack opponents and vehicles from a distance. This emphasizes the importance of adapting training to real-world conditions, where strategies and tactics must be more practical and results-oriented.

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In some hunting grounds, the player has the opportunity to eliminate enemies using heavy weapons, which can be looted from vehicles. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Aloy's mobility is significantly limited when using these weapons. While the player is raising the bolt thrower and aiming, an enemy has a good chance of inflicting damage, which will cause the weapon to fall from their hands and have to be picked up again from the ground. This mechanic requires the player to take a strategic approach to minimize risks and effectively use powerful weapons in combat.

Heavy weapons in the game have their own patterns and characteristics. Players can use various tactics to immobilize opponents before striking with powerful artillery. Opening fire with a bolt launcher is also an effective tactical solution. In some cases, this approach allows you to quickly eliminate a strong opponent, after which you can move on to more mobile weapons. Optimizing your strategy for using heavy weapons can significantly increase your chances of winning the game.

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There are situations where the player draws the bowstring in slow motion and tries to aim at an armor plate, only to see the enemy suddenly disappear from view. Unlike many console games, this series lacks an auto-aim feature. This can create difficulties for casual players, especially when using a gamepad, as precision shots require a high level of precision and control. Players should be aware of the control features and adapt their skills for more effective shooting.

To improve gameplay and control comfort, we recommend using the "Accessibility" tab in the game settings. In this section, you can activate the gyroscope function, which allows aiming using controller movements. It is also worth considering adjusting the scroll time of the arsenal selection wheel, increasing its speed for more comfortable weapon selection. These settings will significantly improve your gaming experience and allow you to handle gameplay tasks more effectively.

Melee combat often involves selective focus, which is impossible to control. For example, during a battle, the main character, Aloy, might accidentally attack an animal running past instead of an enemy. This can lead to undesirable consequences in combat and require additional effort from the player to regain control. Proper focus management becomes a key element of a successful combat strategy.

I didn't encounter the problem of switching targets, perhaps because I rarely used melee weapons. From a technical point of view, this can be explained by the fact that when the attack button is pressed, the game checks which target is in the camera's field of view or in the character's direction of movement, and locks the attack on the selected target. In melee combat, Aloy's attacks also have a homing function, similar to the actions of enemies. If there are several potential targets within range, then the target is selected based on criteria such as the distance to the character and the angle between the forward vector, that is, the direction of the camera or player's gaze, and the target.

The solution to this problem may seem simple at first glance. If the game detects hostile targets near neutral creatures, the neutral objects' priority should be lowered. However, it's important to carefully tune the recognition algorithm to avoid undesirable situations. For example, a player might be chasing a small animal to attack, and at that moment, an enemy runs past. Such nuances require careful testing.

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Expanded Functionality

Horizon: Forbidden West features a diverse arsenal of ranged weapons, including bows, traps, spears, slings, and stud shooters. These tools allow players to develop unique combat tactics. One of the new additions is a new weapon type—the discus gauntlet, a boomerang-like weapon that adds new strategic possibilities. However, it's worth noting that while there are many variations of a single weapon type, such as bows, their stats remain similar, with the only differences being in the ammo bonuses. This creates certain limitations in choice, but at the same time allows you to focus on improving your skills and tactics.

By the end of the game, your inventory is filled with numerous similar bows and spears that are unlikely to prove useful. Weapon upgrading is possible, but it requires significant resources or completing specific challenges. It is much more profitable to increase weapon power by upgrading skills. As a result, much of your arsenal remains idle, taking up valuable inventory space.

The developers balance powerful weapons, taking into account the quantity and cost of ammunition. Upon receiving your first legendary (orange) bow, the player faces several important nuances. Firstly, the pouch can hold a limited number of upgraded arrows, which requires careful planning. Secondly, the cost of crafting such weapons is quite high, which also affects the strategy of their use. These factors force players to think about how to effectively manage their resources and choose the optimal moments to use a powerful bow.

Weapon upgrading requires special attention. The higher the quality of an item, the longer it will take to gather the necessary materials to upgrade it. For purple and orange items, parts are typically obtained from more powerful creatures. Therefore, it's important to prepare in advance before hunting for these resources. Planning and a strategic approach will significantly increase your chances of success during the upgrade process.

Weapons in Horizon: Forbidden West are categorized, allowing for effective combat against a variety of targets. One of the game's significant strengths is the lack of strict restrictions that would force the player to follow a specific meta-strategy. Despite this, the game occasionally features skills that may be perceived as "broken" due to imperfect balance. This creates variety in gameplay and allows players to find their own unique approaches to combat.

In my playthrough, the Braced Shot particularly stood out: when properly equipped, it can deal significant damage even with the cheapest arrows. Importantly, in the first half of the game, there's no need to change your starting weapon. It can be effectively upgraded for little resources, and it performs its intended function successfully.

Further customization begins, tailored to each playstyle. For example, spears are highly powerful, but their ammunition is quite expensive. The discus glove is particularly impressive: firing it resembles a unique minigame where you have to catch thrown discs. This option is one of the best, as it allows you to conserve ammunition while still inflicting significant damage. During the game, every player is likely to find their favorite in the arsenal, adding an additional element of strategy and variety.

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All of Aloy's active and passive skills, related to specific weapon types, are divided into six talents. In the first game, there were only three, not counting the additional ones from the DLC. This extensive system with a lot of information can be confusing even for experienced players. Therefore, it is important to carefully study each talent tree in order to develop your character and use their abilities in battle as effectively as possible.

Critics note that combat in the game is made more difficult by an overloaded quick-select bar. A Gamespot reviewer emphasizes that finding the right traps and potions in the extensive inventory system becomes difficult, especially when the player is attacked by a large enemy. Restoring health in such situations becomes a real challenge. Although it is possible to reduce the quick-select bar, the reviewer points out that many interesting elements, such as combat mechanics, stealth, traps, and crafting, conflict with each other, negatively affecting gameplay.

The crafting system has undergone significant changes. Over 100 types of parts for modifying equipment are now available, as well as items for cooking and creating ammunition that can be used for trading. When Aloy's inventory is full, the resources found are automatically transferred to a stash available in the settlement. However, it's impossible to check the amount of available resources remotely, making it difficult to determine whether you have enough components to craft the required equipment. This necessitates returning to base or continuing your quest to gather missing components.

Horizon: Zero Dawn partially addresses the issue of tracking crafting and upgrades. Players are now able to log necessary activities using the "Create Activity" option. Unlike the first game, which only tracked quest progress, the sequel also displays areas where the necessary resources can be found on the map. This greatly simplifies the crafting process and allows you to plan your hunt for materials more efficiently.

During the playthrough, I actively used this functionality, but I ignored cooking.

In theory, a visor could be used for such tasks, which, when hovered over, automatically highlights entities containing important quest-related materials. This would allow users to more easily find key elements for completing tasks and improve interaction with game content.

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A drawback of the crafting system in Horizon: Forbidden West is that, unlike the first game, where Aloy could craft items at any time, crafting is now only available with a workbench or kitchen to prepare food. Furthermore, the ability to assign quests is also limited, preventing them from being done from anywhere in the game world. This can reduce the flexibility of gameplay and require players to spend more time finding the necessary crafting locations and assigning quests.

There is no absolute guarantee that every machine will yield the required part. As a result, the gameplay sometimes feels like an endless search for resources, more typical of MMORPGs than single-player RPGs.

The game incorporates parkour elements common in adventure games like Tomb Raider, enriching the gameplay with new physics-based puzzles and challenges focused on interacting with the environment. To simplify spatial navigation, Aloy's visor highlights areas available for parkour with yellow markers, similar to the terrain indicator in Death Stranding. These innovations make the gaming experience more engaging and dynamic, allowing players to explore the world with greater freedom and creativity.

Working on errors

Guerrilla Games has successfully captured the splendor of the world of Horizon: Forbidden West on both next-gen consoles and PS4. The game's unique and breathtaking landscapes encourage players to regularly return to Photo Mode to take new screenshots. The quality of the graphics and attention to detail make every scene truly impressive, highlighting the developers' mastery of creating a picturesque game world. Horizon: Forbidden West offers players not only a captivating story but also the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the environment, making the game an unforgettable experience for all lovers of adventure and stunning visuals.

Before the release of the patches, users encountered various bugs and flaws that were glaring. Although the developers have already fixed most of them, some graphical issues remain, such as waves passing through buildings. These shortcomings may negatively affect the overall impression of the game, so the developers continue to work on improving the graphics and eliminating the remaining bugs.

Considering that the number of bugs was minimal in the first month after release, it can be assumed that Guerrilla Games did not have time to complete full testing. This may indicate insufficient time allocated to the final stage of development, which in turn may affect the overall stability and quality of the game.

After a single-player project is released, time for its improvement becomes limited. Developers typically release only a few patches and, possibly, add-ons. Most bugs that aren't fixed by the time of release are likely to remain in the game forever. The main work has already been done, the budget has been exhausted, and the deadlines have expired – it's time to start developing a new project.

In the context of multiplayer games, the situation is different. Here, the likelihood of various defects being discovered and fixed is higher, since work on the project is ongoing. This approach ensures continuous improvement of the gameplay and increases user satisfaction.

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The game's visual design contains one controversial detail, particularly noticeable to fans of Horizon: Zero Dawn. During the development of the first game, the designers meticulously crafted the environments, striving to make the Forerunner-era buildings as authentic as possible. This concept was retained in the sequel, although in some cases, the new, bright yellow retractable ladders create a dissonance against the ruined buildings. This discrepancy can distract players from the overall immersion in the atmosphere of the post-apocalyptic world, which causes discussions among fans and critics.

This convention is created for the player's convenience. If you think about it, the Forerunner electronics continue to function in story-driven areas and when solving puzzles, which is not a concern. Furthermore, ladders and ledges sometimes break when attempting to climb them, which adds an element of surprise. All this is done to create a cinematic effect and to search for alternative routes in the game.

Ilya Rudnev is an experienced technical game designer with a deep knowledge of game development. His work includes the creation and optimization of game mechanics, as well as collaboration with development and art teams. Ilya actively applies advanced technologies and methods in the development process, which allows him to effectively solve complex problems and achieve high results in the gaming industry. His expertise in technical game design makes him a valuable specialist for any project.

In some places, there is a lack of attention to environmental detail. The screenshot below compares stadium seats from Horizon: Zero Dawn with the training benches from the Forerunner gym in Horizon: Forbidden West. In the former, the environmental elements look more natural thanks to a well-designed combination of textures and models, while in the latter, the identical assets clearly stand out. This highlights the importance of diversity in the design of game elements to create a more immersive and realistic gaming experience.

In this situation involving the gym, it can be assumed that the developers were under urgent pressure to create the location and did not have time to complete the work within the established deadline. As a result, the process of creating an additional version of the asset was not recorded in the task tracking system, or the information was missed. This highlights the importance of careful documentation of all stages of development to ensure effective project management.

So-called "art bugs" occur during the development of large projects, and this is considered a common practice. It is important to pay attention to the frequency of their appearance during gameplay. If the player encounters only a few such moments during the entire playthrough, this does not cause serious concern. However, if such bugs occur regularly, this may indicate development quality issues and raise concerns among users. It is important that developers consider player feedback and strive to minimize such defects, thereby providing a higher-quality gaming experience.

The significance of such defects can be assessed through real-time gameplay testing, during actual playthroughs. Players will generally only notice environmental issues during careful exploration in search of a specific item. This underscores the importance of quality testing to ensure a positive user experience and identify hidden flaws that could disrupt immersion in the game world.

Asset duplication is a necessary element in both interior and exterior design, especially when developing large-scale locations. Massive content creation and integration impact not only the project budget but also the overall size of the game. In practice, creating unique assets for each element is often impractical. For example, to create a sense of diverse flora, developing just three or four flower variants is sufficient. This approach allows for efficient resource management and maintaining the quality of visual execution.

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Let's summarize

The sequel to the series fully complies with all the canons of modern adventure games. Players can expect an open world with numerous quests and the opportunity for deep exploration. The game offers a wide selection of side quests, stunning landscapes, and a photo mode that allows you to capture the most memorable moments. In addition, character customization is provided, which adds individuality to each hero. An expanded talent system offers a variety of combat tactics, allowing players to adapt their strategies to unique situations. The game also features its own shelter that can be developed. The main heroic story captivates from the very first minutes and leaves a foundation for a sequel, promising new adventures in the next part.

According to the Metacritic portal, the game Horizon: Forbidden West received a high rating of 88% based on 126 reviews and an 8.0 score from users, which is confirmed by more than 9 thousand reviews. These data indicate a positive reception of the sequel. In Germany, Horizon: Forbidden West sold 200,000 copies in its first month, putting it on par with Elden Ring. In Japan, players purchased over 90,000 copies for both PS4 and PS5 in its first week on sale. In the UK, the game also took first place in the sales charts upon its launch.

Horizon: Forbidden West confirms the adage "bigger isn't always better." Players have long discussed the problem of AAA open-world games, which often seem similar. At first glance, such games offer extensive freedom of action and a variety of content, but in reality, many elements have already been seen in previous projects. This tendency calls into question the originality and innovation of modern games, which may lead to a decline in interest in the genre.

From a production standpoint, this approach is justified: the project must be successful and profitable. Borrowing proven mechanics from popular predecessors helps minimize risks, even if this leads to a loss of originality. However, not all players perceive such changes positively. Some prefer unique elements that set the game apart and make it memorable.

The situation with Horizon: Forbidden West raises questions about who exactly initiated the changes to the game—Guerrilla Games or Sony Interactive. This issue remains unresolved and is of interest to players and critics. It is important to understand that such transformations can affect the perception of the game and its success in the market.