Horizon Zero Dawn REVIEW: PS4 exclusive is really, really, ridiculously good looking
HORIZON Zero Dawn is Killzone developer Guerrilla Games' finest release yet, even if it does borrow heavily from other releases.
Horizon Zero Dawn is FINALLY out in the UK, and if you love games like Far Cry and Tomb Raider, then you should definitely consider picking up the PS4's latest blockbuster.
Made by Killzone developer Guerrilla Games, this is the studio's finest release yet, even if it does borrow heavily from other titles.
But just like recent Dark Souls clone Nioh, there's nothing wrong with taking the best bits from other games, particularly if you do them justice.
Where Horizon Zero Dawn falls down is that it doesn't really add anything fresh and new to the formula, while an intriguing premise is let down by a dull story and characters.
Of course, when a game looks as good as Horizon Zero Dawn, you can forgive many a fault - and Horizon Zero Dawn is stunning!
Tailor-made for the PS4 Share Button, the world of Horizon Zero Dawn is right up there with the open worlds found in Skyrim, The Witcher 3 and GTA 5.
Whether you're slaughtering dinobots among the trees, scaling mountains or visiting towns, you'll find yourself spinning that camera around and around, as you drink in the scenery and explore the overgrown remnants of a lost civilisation.
The towering enemies are as impressive to look at as they are imposing, resembling monstrous dinosaurs, only with flashing lights and mechanical parts instead of flesh and bone.
Richly coloured and full of detail, Horizon Zero Dawn is striking, distinct and possibly the best looking PS4 game to date, but does it have the substance to match the style?
Yes... sort of.
In terms of action, Horizon Zero Dawn has clearly taken a cue from the aforementioned Far Cry and Tomb Raider, with a little bit of Mass Effect thrown in for good measure.
The way Aloy moves through the environment, hunts with a bow, careens down zip-lines and collects crafting materials is very reminiscent of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider reboot and its sequel, which is a big compliment.
The big difference is that combat is often more satisfying in Horizon Zero Dawn, but only when you're up against hulking mechanical foes and not humans. Encounters with the latter soon become repetitive and feature far more often than we would have liked.
But against the deadlier foes, Aloy is outmatched and underpowered, which means players will need to use the game's wide selection of traps and tools to outfox the beasts and bring them down.
These battles feel suitably epic, as you stalk your prey and use the environment to cause serious damage, before quickly sneaking away and repeating. It can be pretty intense, not to mention hugely satisfying when you finally take one down and strip it for parts.
Crafting plays a huge part in the build up to these encounters, as Aloy builds up her arsenal of traps and weapons by looting enemies, hunting wildlife and foraging in the woods and plains.
This is where the Far Cry influence is clear to see, and just like the Ubisoft shooter, Horizon Zero Dawn's looting and crafting system is inexplicably addictive.
You'll spend hours increasing your ammo capacity, modding suits and crafting new traps, tasks which are far more compelling than the various fetch quests dished out by the locals.
There's also a conversation system that pays homage to Mass Effect, although the story and characters are undoubtedly the weakest parts of the game.
It's a shame, because the concept is an intriguing one. Aloy is portrayed as an outcast in a world where robotic dinosaurs roam the lands and humans live in tribes, hunting with a combination of primitive weaponry and heavy-duty artillery.
The intrigue doesn't last long, however, and you'll soon find yourself zoning out, especially during extended speeches intended to fill you in on the history of the land. Guerrilla should have just let the game world do the talking and kept the actual talking to a minimum.
There are also minor issues with the clunky platforming, which just isn't as smooth as the action found in Tomb Raider and Uncharted, which guided players along a much tighter path.
But even with these complaints, Horizon Zero Dawn continues Sony's recent trend of excellence. Uncharted 4, The Last Guardian, Nioh and now Horizon Zero Dawn. It's a good time to be a PS4 owner.