Horizon Zero Dawn is the game that made me literally dust off my PS4 and plug it back in to my TV. It’s one of the best games I’ve played in years. It also helps that it looks absolutely amazing, as these GIFs demonstrate.
In the two months since the game’s launch, I still haven’t finished Horizon. I’m slowly plugging away at it when I can find the time, and I’m pushing myself to find that time, because I absolutely love the world that the game is building.
Every one of these GIFs comes from SunhiLegend, a guy that makes amazing GIFs from a bunch of beautiful titles. You should check out some of his other work.
Even when you’re not fighting, and not making your way through the storyline — when you’re just exploring — the entire experience just feels so rich.
This game is just everything. pic.twitter.com/xeLzo748dg
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 27, 2017
It’s fun, too. It’s rare that I’ll actually enjoy the controls of a game on console — I was raised with a keyboard in one hand and a mouse in the other — but combat in Horizon is just about as intuitive as any game I’ve played, at least once you get the hang of the camera.
Another one. Combat is just crazy and fast-paced. pic.twitter.com/gdFq4n1NAG
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 27, 2017
And the robots are massive. Even the smallest Watcher feels intimidating when you’re early on in the game, and the scale progresses to suit as your abilities grow and you leave the hearth of your ancestral home.
The scale is just phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/PD3zoqGCSl
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 27, 2017
The animation and sound and detail in characters is top-notch. Everything has had so much care put into it, from Aloy’s motion to the impact that melee weapons have on robot and human enemies alike. The design of the tribal elements of the world is just awesome.
Melee combat is even more impactful than ranged. pic.twitter.com/4dqLg6HIRh
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 27, 2017
And all the while, you’re running around in a world that moves from the chilly hinterland of Mother’s Cradle to the deserts around Lone Light and the forests and lush jungles past Meridian. There’s snow and rainforest and savannah and it all looks good.
Just one more: the detail in the world is absolutely incredible. pic.twitter.com/TfdmFZTMj7
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 28, 2017
Last, but not even remotely least, is Horizon’s story. It centres around Aloy, and I won’t spoil it even one bit, but suffice to say she’s one of my favourite characters in any game probably of the last five years at least.
I lied. One bonus GIF, of the game’s badass protagonist Aloy. pic.twitter.com/fQpaHv23Gx
— Campbell Simpson (@csimps0n) April 28, 2017
Yeah, you should play Horizon. It’s a PS4 exclusive, sure, but it’s worth it.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2017/02/horizon-zero-dawn-our-first-impressions/” thumb=”https://www.kotaku.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/02/horizon-zero-dawn-ps4-pro-13.jpg” title=”Horizon Zero Dawn: Our First Impressions” excerpt=”Horizon Zero Dawn isn’t out until next week, but we’ve had some early time with Guerilla Games’ latest labour of love. And every single one of us is so impressed. This is what we think so far.”]
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2017/03/horizon-zero-dawn-made-me-love-video-games-again/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/jirk82wtxdqtt7yki9pe.jpg” title=”Horizon Zero Dawn Made Me Love Video Games Again” excerpt=”Historically, once I beat a video game, I rarely keep playing it. What’s the point? The story is done and I don’t get satisfaction from 100 per cent completion. Well, with Horizon Zero Dawn, not only have I kept playing it, I don’t want it to end. Ever. Guerrilla Games has created a world and experience that has reinvigorated my love of video games.”]