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Horizon Zero Dawn review: A brave new world

Horizon Zero Dawn review: A brave new world

Andre Rodrigues / TOI Contributor / Updated: Mar 14, 2017, 01:15PM IST
Horizon Zero Dawn review A brave new world
critic rating

Top Features

Massive open world

Giant robotic monsters to hunt

Engaging and unique sci-fi story

Armed with only a bow and arrow, we found ourselves face to face with some five massive bull-like monsters called tramplers. Aloy, the red headed protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn, the latest game from the makers of Killzone, not only has sort of techno stoneage weapons at her dispersal. Yet in front of us, blocking off the tiny exit out of the valley are five cybernetic monsters the size of trucks each. Going back the way you came is no option as there are two Ravagers patrolling, which are essentially Tyrannosaurus Rex's with lazer beams. These are the situations you will find yourself in the latest Playstation Exclusive that's currently a rage. Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best games you will play this year.

The world as you know it is far gone. We were an advanced civilisation that mysteriously died off. Now, the surviving humans have evolved back into the stone age and the huge beasts that roam the land are machines. Man made monstrosities that are modeled around dinosaurs and stone and iceage predators. You play Aloy, from when she was a baby. You witness her becoming an outcast from her tribe and recieving care from another outcast.

While being bullied as a child by the tribe kids, she stumbles upon a microchip called a Focus, from the old world. The chip gives her power of augmented reality of prehistoric-future world. Giving her the confidence to train and become a great hunter. To win the trials called "The Proving" to be accepted into her tribe, the Nora.

Horizon Zero Dawn tells a beautiful coming of age story. With a strong female hero that arrives just close on the heels of the world celebrating Woman's Day. An inspiration not only in it's art style but also in it's narrative and the personality of the central character. Especially since she is one girl who is capable of taking down several towering metal monsters, which increases the impact all the more. The world itself raises your curiosity, making you want to know what happens to us, as it slowly unfolds. Despite the fact that the game gives out story cues in tiny breadcrumb trails, the hunting aspects of the game may surely draws you in.

Considering that the situations like the one mentioned in the first para are commonplace. Stealth is your best friend here. Going head on against a herd of big bad charging robots will see you dead in moments. Each encounter forces you to plan, watch, lure and dispatch off enemies in various ways. Either with stealth attacks or learning their weakpoints and exploiting them. One arrow to an exposed battery pack can send a disabling blast to several machines around it. Yet one miss, and you could be running like hell, most likely into a waiting nest of scavenger cat like robots.

The open world of Horizon Zero Dawn is one large hunting ground. Taking elements like the action and tracking system from the 2015 hit game Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the stealth and fighting system from 2013's Shadow of Mordor. To add to that you can also "hack" robot monsters to fight by your side. Which adds to the element of strategy as you single out who to bring to your side to take on larger beasts. There is no better thrill than taking down a foe several feet larger than you. There is also a visceral excitement in discovering new creatures and devising new ways of taking them down, using the environment to your advantage.

Exploration is another aspect of the game that's done very well. As you seek out relics from the past, that are hilariously named commonplace items from our present. Like wristwatches or common coffee cups, that are treated with such veneration, almost bordering on worship. You also uncover truths by exploring dungeons which are actually hidden bunkers or facilities from our future. It's also a serene experience to roam around, discovering harmless but skyscraper sized Tallnecks, or to gallop at full speed on your reclaimed robotic steed into the sunset like a western movie, or uncovering a graveyard of buildings overrun by plants or a what used to be satellite dishes. As you pick up audio recordings of what life was like in the past.

Like any RPG, you level up, which lets you take on the bigger enemies out there. What is important is finding loot in the form of natural and salvage resources. To upgrade your packs, weapons and most important, to craft arrows. Which why its paramount that you are stocked up, as many a time you are required to craft arrows in mid combat.

The graphics of Horizon Zero Dawn are top notch, and run smooth on even the normal Playstation 4. Those who own the PS4Pro get better resolution and frame rate, though the experiences are the same. What stands out about the game are the little details, like Aloy's animations while moving. What's terrible though are the facial animations, as characters faces twitch with unreal mouth movements, making things look more botoxed than real. Which is the only blemish on what is a flawless game.

If there is one game you have to buy this year on your Playstation 4, it's Horizon Zero Dawn. Hands down one of the most enriching and addictive experiences you will ever have. With hours of wild robot hunting gameplay to keep you occupied for weeks to come, the game is highly recommended.

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