Horizon: Forbidden West (Horizon Zero Dawn Sequel) PS5

Such a great game this. Didn't play too much of it at first because Gran Turismo 7 was taking up all my time (Sony really should space their releases) but really getting into it now. I'm around level 20, maybe 50% of the map uncovered. Think it might be the best open world game out there, such a fascinating setting with strong lore and world building and a solid cast of characters. The combat is pretty much unlike anything else out there, some truly epic battles.

I do wonder if I'm using all the tools at my disposal though, I end up sticking with my trusty bows all the time, only really switching for different ammo types. I feel like I want to experiment with stuff like the ropecaster and tripcaster but haven't quite figured out how they should be used. I used the tripcaster once and the guy charging at me just jumped over it. I also invested in the override skill tree early on only to find out I don't meet the criteria to override anything I meet and haven't collected enough materials to build overrides yet. Also it seems you need to knock out a machine before you can override it, which seems almost more work than just killing it? In my head I figured I'd be able to override anything I could stealth kill, then let it run wild while I hide in the grass.

I only played through the early stages of HZD because life circumstances got in the way of playing at the time, so I think I've no context for a lot of the things the game assumes you know how to do.

Started back into this tonight, going to finish off everything for the platinum.

Getting back into the swing of things with regards controls. Only thing is I'm reminded of how frustrating it can be to try hit a tiny canister on the underside of a giant machine that's flipping about like Simone Biles on a trampoline.

Finished this , this evening. A few trophies off the platinum but I think I will leave it off.

Loved it but I absolutely despised that Alva character, wrecked every scene she was in at the end.

Completed this tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed it and got invested in the story but the ending was a disappointment for me.

Aside from that though I enjoyed the story through the game. It's a fascinating world with well thought out lore, and the characters are all well written and acted. I always enjoyed the little interludes when I'd return to base and go around speaking to each member of the team to see what they've been up to.

The game says I'm at 45% total completion. I've done a fair amount of side quests and did a couple more after completing the game too. The standard of writing is usually pretty solid for those too so I'll probably continue to dip in and out. I have zero interest in the completionist stuff like rebel camps and ruins though, that kind of busywork is not for me.

Im selling my copy of this on adverts currently, PS4 version with the PS5 upgrade. Have it on for €50 but happy to apply a boardsie bonus and let it go for €40 posted within ROI.

About 4 hours in now and it's so paint by numbers it's really y hard to enjoy.

Sony really have a template for first party games it's becoming tiresome now. Will keep at it but something needs to change quickly or it'll never be finished.

I just don't see this as something that would sell a console if it was multiplat it'd be as well regarded as immortals fenyx rising.

It does look glorious though.

Yeah immortals while being an generic as this and majority of open world games it was fun and didn't take itself seriously.

If it was a Sony exclusive I honestly believe it would be held in much higher regard. Gets a tough rep as its a ass creed reskin, but I view this as a reskin of the original horizon, which was copied by days gone and tushima, they all look amazing but just are so copy and paste its really annoying. Sony need to take a step back and really utilise their IPs (like they did with GoW) or kill them

Climbing in this is no different to uncharted and that's what 10 years old, you can nearly tell which yellow ledges will pretend to collapse 😂😂

Late to the game, played Zero Dawn last year and loved it, held out on Forbidden West until I got my hands on a PS5, bought the game with the console and have loved it as much. One question though, is there any way to clean up the traps wheel, I'm right up to the point where Aloy gathers everyone at the beach looking at the Zenith island, am putting the game on hold until the Burning Shores DLC comes out as having completed Frozen Wilds really helped out finishing Zero Dawn, but it's so frustrating to have to cycle through blast, shock, acid then advanced blast, shock and acid and then elite blast shock and acid, plus whatever "food" you purchased just so you can call a mount or throw a frigging rock.

Covered elsewhere but marking it here because it may well have some big knock on effects on the next game.

Rest in peace, Lance.

Nope. But at the same time I expect spoilers at this point. Not sure why I'm even still checking this... I'll get back to it. Eventually...

And for myself at least, I read that and it means feck all to me. I know by the time I get to these parts I'll have completely forgotten the words I read. Probably a bit more understandable if you're further into the game than I was. Probably still no harm for spoiler tags at the same time.

Oh god, I was looking forward to the DLC until this just reminded me about the swimming in the game....

Definitely into this now. My only real complaint is how slow it is to move as Aloy in general. Unless you're on a mount, it's far too slow. She needs like a hoverboard or something. Swimming is grand, now that she can breathe (somehow). Locations are stunning, especially Vegas after you light it up. Still have about 35% of the map covered, haven't been far west yet. My side job ocd is strong and I'm already overpowered for most missions, which tbh is grand as while the combat is fun, it gets samey. Gimme me damn flying already!

Also, the fast travel system. Free from fires, but costs a travel pack otherwise, but the travel packs are so simple to make you should never be without them so it seems kinda pointless.

Are they adding blocking and parrying? Because while I'm enjoying the combat, the fighting pits really show how poor the melee system really is. Got to The Enduring, and the lack of block and parry are frustratingly evident with the BS fight. It's actually putting a downer on it for me.

I've no idea if I'm near end game, I feel like I am but still no fecking flying so don't know really. I tried to Google when it would happen, and when I got to a death spoiler I stopped (not that this characters death will have any impact on me). It's a good game, but the more you play it the more you see the rough edges. For all the solid work in making it look amazing, they still need some work on the movement in general. I thought they might have patched the initial complaints of Aloy being slow as fook to get up. Nope. Her climbing is erratic at times. Mounted movement is frustrating at times, just randomly stopping because of a twig or something in the way, getting stuck. And the jump animation could be a lot smoother from running. I will say that this is only a small part of the overall experience, but it sticks out.

I'm gonna stick with it, as I am still enjoying it, issues aside. But it could also get quickly dropped if something else tickles my endorphins first.

Just started it. Gorgeous game and I'm only playing on a 32" HD tv on performance mode. Must be stunning in 4K.

I never bothered with them at all in forbidden west as I hated them in zero dawn.

The dlc looks interesting I just have too much to play RE4, Deadspace, Hogwarts etc.