After a long wait, the highly anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn has finally arrived. Developed by Guerrilla Games, Horizon Forbidden West continues Aloy's story as she tries to find the source of the blight that threatens to destroy the ecosystem, kill the animals, and starve the local humans. This time around, Aloy is a seasoned machine hunter, but she still has plenty more to learn, new weapons to discover, and even bigger dangers to face as she ventures into the Forbidden West.
Horizon Forbidden West attempts to improve upon its predecessor in every way, and from the first moments of the game, players are treated to scenes of lush and colorful wildernesses, as well as impressively detailed settlements populated with humans milling about. Although it may be tempting to jump in nose-first, there are a few tips that players should keep in mind to make sure Aloy has the best chance to make it against the machines that stand in her path.
Customize the Game Until It Is Perfect
Horizon Forbidden West features a myriad of customization options, and though they can be overwhelming at first, they are there to ensure that every player can fine-tune the game to their liking. Some players are interested in the Horizon franchise for its beautiful environments that are nothing short of eye-candy. To feel more immersed in them, it is useful to turn off all the HUD elements. Series veterans may not need most of the information the HUD provides, but for players who feel like the HUD is useful and still want the immersive experience, the HUD can be set to "dynamic mode" which makes its elements disappear until players swipe on the DualSense's touchpad.
There are also a few accessibility settings worth considering. Subtitles can be turned on, and their size and background can be changed, tinnitus sounds can be turned off, the button layout is fully customizable, aim assist can be turned on, and controller vibration intensity can be adjusted, just to list a few options. Interestingly, there is also a "co-pilot mode" which allows a friend to assist using a second controller with mirrored controls. With Horizon Forbidden West's wide range of accessibility features, more gamers than ever can enjoy Aloy's adventure.
Consider Resolution Mode
On PlayStation 5, Horizon Forbidden West offers a "favor performance" mode which runs at 60 frames-per-second, but at a resolution of 1800p, and a "favor resolution" mode that runs at 30 frames-per-second, but features stunning 4K visuals. For many, it may be tempting to go for the performance mode to enjoy the game at a higher frame rate. This is a good idea, especially when battles with machines can get quite intense, and players will need quick reflexes and responses to come out on top. However, it is worth considering the game's resolution mode.
Though the 30fps cap may be difficult for some to get used to, Horizon Forbidden West arguably makes it worth it. It very well could be one of the best-looking games in recent years, and over every horizon is yet another picturesque landscape to drink in.
Whether Aloy is marching through dense jungles peppered with flowers, scaling mountains that stretch to the clouds, or exploring underwater realms, there is always an impressive amount of detail on display and these sublime sights are best enjoyed at the highest resolution possible. Understandably, there will be players who value gameplay far above aesthetics, and this would make the resolution option an impossible one to pick, but players who are willing to chop down some frame rates are rewarded with unforgettable visual treats.
Keep an Eye Out For Datapoints
Horizon Zero Dawn has a compelling science-fiction narrative that weaves in themes of environmentalism and warns of the dangers that technology can bring when humans lose control. The apocalypse in Horizon Zero Dawn is brought about after the Chariot range of robots become self-aware, leading to the Faro Plague disaster. In response, the clever Doctor Elisabeth Sobeck crafts an AI, called GAIA, that is tasked with repopulating the planet after the extinction caused by the Faro Plague. Project Zero Dawn is a success, but GAIA and her subordinate functions come with some unexpected complications which continue to play out in Horizon Forbidden West.
For players who want to collect every crumb of Horizon Forbidden West's story, it is best to look out for datapoints that contain information about the Old World and the events that led up to Project Zero Dawn. Some datapoints are tied to the story, but some can be missed. Fortunately, players easily spot nearby datapoints by using Aloy's focus to scan the environment. Information from collected datapoints can be replayed from Aloy's notebook.
General Gameplay Tips
Aloy's world is beautiful, but it is also a brutal one. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make things easier. Firstly, players should always remember to make use of Aloy's focus to scan enemies around her. Not only will this give her the option to tag enemies and highlight their tracks, but it will also reveal weaknesses and weak spots, ensuring Aloy can strategically take down her machine foes.
Players will also want to pay attention to Aloy's skill trees because that will ensure she has a few tricks up her sleeve when hunting machines. The skills are broken up into six categories: Warrior, Trapper, Hunter, Survivor, Infiltrator, and Machine Master. Each category unlocks abilities that complement certain play styles. There are advantages to committing to a single category, as it allows players to unlock valor surges which unleash a powerful move that can get Aloy out of most tight situations.
Lastly, do not underestimate the power of stealth. Although it may be tempting to go into every situation ready to rain down a torrent of arrows on Aloy's foes, a quieter approach has its benefits too. In addition to saving resources, it also lowers the chance of Aloy taking a beating. Especially on the harder difficulties, using stealth becomes an essential part of any effective strategy. It should also be noted that just because stealth has been lost, it does not mean that it cannot be re-established. If Aloy avoids being seen for long enough, crawling back into red bushes gives her a second chance for a secret strike.
In Horizon Forbidden West, there are scarier machines, greater adventures, and bigger secrets Aloy must contend with. The game is a sterling example of what a sequel should be, as it highlights all the successful elements of its predecessor and greatly improves upon them while introducing enough new elements to make it a generation-defining experience.
Horizon Forbidden West is available now on PS4 and PS5.
