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Oh, Horizon Zero Dawn, how I love thee...
Jul. 5th, 2018 07:32 am So I've finished HZD. I'm not going to hide spoilers, so read on at your own risk!
I loved Aloy from the first moment I 'met' her. A strong, independent, capable female protagonist - what a great way to start a game. And I have to give a massive shout out to whoever developed the Story Mode because it did exactly what it said on the tin - let me enjoy the story without being bogged down in battles I had no way of winning. The final battle involved one big nasty rather than the (as I understand it) multitude in Normal.
Having been very tentative about using a bow and arrow, I actually got to quite enjoy it. Again, I point out that I was in Story Mode but that was quite challenging enough for me! Firing at Glinthawks while they divebomb me is NOT fun! But being able to set them alight just by hitting them anywhere with a fire arrow definitely comes close.
I didn't amass many outfits but the Nora one from the Frozen Wilds DLC did become my favourite. I also loved the Carja Rattler - made the final battle even easier. Also love being able to craft ammo mid-battle. I can imagine Aloy going, 'Oh, hold on a sec, Big Nasty - just need to fit some metal shards to these bits of ridge-wood - there, got it. Ready or not, here I come!'. ROFL
And it goes without saying that the graphics are gorgeous.
But it was the story, and my investment in Aloy, that made the game. I'd guessed Aloy was a clone fairly early on but finding out the whole backstory and how she had come to be was very emotional. I really got choked up when Gaia was explaining to Elisabet what she'd done and why - and then her realisation that E might not even get to see her message. And E's sacrifice and the comments from her co-workers, And then Faro telling them that he'd destroyed Apollo (I mean - WTF?!?!) and then killing the team.
I did feel a bit sorry for Hades - after all, it was only following its programming! But who woke it? And why? And what is Sylens planning? And will Aloy manage to revive Gaia?
So many questions - there must be a sequel (or three!) to be got out of them.
HZD is now firmly in my Top Five games and is one I want to replay. When I get through the backlog...
I loved Aloy from the first moment I 'met' her. A strong, independent, capable female protagonist - what a great way to start a game. And I have to give a massive shout out to whoever developed the Story Mode because it did exactly what it said on the tin - let me enjoy the story without being bogged down in battles I had no way of winning. The final battle involved one big nasty rather than the (as I understand it) multitude in Normal.
Having been very tentative about using a bow and arrow, I actually got to quite enjoy it. Again, I point out that I was in Story Mode but that was quite challenging enough for me! Firing at Glinthawks while they divebomb me is NOT fun! But being able to set them alight just by hitting them anywhere with a fire arrow definitely comes close.
I didn't amass many outfits but the Nora one from the Frozen Wilds DLC did become my favourite. I also loved the Carja Rattler - made the final battle even easier. Also love being able to craft ammo mid-battle. I can imagine Aloy going, 'Oh, hold on a sec, Big Nasty - just need to fit some metal shards to these bits of ridge-wood - there, got it. Ready or not, here I come!'. ROFL
And it goes without saying that the graphics are gorgeous.
But it was the story, and my investment in Aloy, that made the game. I'd guessed Aloy was a clone fairly early on but finding out the whole backstory and how she had come to be was very emotional. I really got choked up when Gaia was explaining to Elisabet what she'd done and why - and then her realisation that E might not even get to see her message. And E's sacrifice and the comments from her co-workers, And then Faro telling them that he'd destroyed Apollo (I mean - WTF?!?!) and then killing the team.
I did feel a bit sorry for Hades - after all, it was only following its programming! But who woke it? And why? And what is Sylens planning? And will Aloy manage to revive Gaia?
So many questions - there must be a sequel (or three!) to be got out of them.
HZD is now firmly in my Top Five games and is one I want to replay. When I get through the backlog...
