Horizon: Forbidden West Is Lame

Just finished the game. While I agree that the game is not as great as it could be, there are lots of points here that are disingenuous and wrong:
- the first third does not take place in the same place as the previous game, you only get access to about 25% of the map, but thats no different to Ghost of Tsushima or GTA 4, or other open world games. The map opens as you progress and can handle tougher encounters, very standard
- Varl’s death unlocks an area where you can go give your respects to him whenever you want
- the Sun Wing is aquired before the point of no return. Its perfect for the end game if you want to upgrade all your gear before the final mission
- i really dont get the critique on resources. I only needed to hunt to upgrade my stuff (which is the main loop). And you can but resources from merchants, and sell them the resources you dont need depending on your playstyle.

So basically, some suggestions or issues presented are addressed in this very game.

My third time trying to get into and I just can’t. For a game that’s so “loved” I never hear anything about it. Ever. People defend it, but that’s about it. People here get so mad when you don’t agree with them and it’s hilarious though

Some games have silent protagonists with no defined personality or character traits so that the player can project themselves onto the protagonist and see themself in the person they play as.

Guerilla saw that idea and thought “What if we do the exact opposite”

Game sucked boring outfits look stupid only finished it for trophy notcause it was fun

You’re so right with aloy’s character being too ‘battle-hardened’ and unemotional. There were soooo many times in hfw that i was like, aloy just shut up and be nice and have feelings for once! Like if she HAS to be like that make the option for choosable personality dialogue options more often that actually affect the story and dialogue in an impactful way. I often found not connecting to her all throughout this game. I loved hzd so much because of the mystery and wonder and crafting of the storyline there, and didn’t HAVE to care about her chatacter because the story feels like she has to be alone because of her upbringing and people still shunning her. This time they wanted some comraderie but missed the opportunities to make it so much better and more emotional vulnerability coming from her. So definitely good point here.

I just finished Horizon FW and DLC and, Luke, I couldn't disagree more. The second game is an improvement in every single aspect from the first game.

I didn’t like the second game. I got bored pretty fast into playing it. I had way more fun playing the first game over this game. I thought this game was going to be like the first but better and was so disappointed. It was weird how they did combat also cause everyone who played the first game learned how to get good at that combat but then the second game changed it up and made it harder to actually switch to what the changed and how to get great at it causing so many to dodge and get crushed over and over again. Hell a friend didn’t even realize they changed things up and couldn’t understand why he was so bad in this game but great in the first game.

Why does the game start without all the weapons you had from the last game? That annoyed me...

Alright, buckle up buttercup, because it's time to set the record straight. You clearly missed the mark on several fronts, so let’s break it down point by point.

You complain about the game taking 10 hours to open up the world. Well, guess what? Not every game is meant to be a quick thrill ride. This is a sprawling open-world RPG. Pacing is key to storytelling and immersion. The gradual build-up creates anticipation and depth.

Busy work and collectibles are part of the genre. It's not mere "filler content". They enrich the world and provide players with more to explore and discover. If you're not into that, maybe stick to linear shooters.

Calling the crafting system "bloated" just shows a lack of appreciation for complexity and depth. It’s about strategy and survival in a post-apocalyptic world. If you can’t handle gathering ingredients, maybe RPGs aren’t for you.

Fetch quests and random ingredients are staples of RPGs. They encourage exploration and reward players who take the time to dive into the game world. Comparing it to making lasagna? Please, they are the seasoning of RPGs, making the journey flavorful.

Horizon isn't trying to be Assassin's Creed. Each franchise has its own strengths. While AC2 is a benchmark, Horizon stands on its own with unique mechanics and a richer, more immersive world.

The glider, free climbing, grappling hook, and rebreather add layers to exploration. Dismissing these as minor tweaks is just wrong. They offer new ways to traverse and interact with the environment.

The reworked combat and climbing systems both provide a fresh take on familiar mechanics, so to say anything about that is also just plain ignorant.

Claiming Aloy is bland? She's a complex character navigating a world filled with nuanced lore and history. Her journey from outcast to savior is compelling and filled with emotional depth. Probably one of the most, if not the most interesting character in gaming history.

Beta’s introduction adds layers to the story. It’s not about making Aloy look better; it’s about contrasting different experiences and showing growth through adversity.

You did admit the game is stunning, but you underplayed it by a mile. Horizon Forbidden West pushes the boundaries of graphical fidelity and art direction. This isn’t just a game; it’s a visual masterpiece and should be the benchmark for future games. Simply saying it's "stunning" is the least one can say, the bare minimum. I've spent hours simply walking around the game world and it was as therapeutic as taking a real walk. You could've spent the entire hour and half just focusing on the graphics alone and it still wouldn't be enough.

Horizon Forbidden West isn’t just another sequel; it’s a testament to what next-gen RPGs should aspire to be. It builds on its predecessor and offers a richer, more complex experience.

In conclusion, next time try appreciating the depth and intricacies that come with a well-crafted open-world RPG. Horizon Forbidden West is a gem, and it’s clear that the finer points were missed here. Yes, it's your opinion (which you do mention), but you have to consider the fact that you have quite the fanbase and when you promote ignorant and misinformed opinions like this you propagate a misguided idea. This video should not only be ignored, but it completely undermines your entire channel and my willingess to take you seriously. Psychologically, it's just a case of an inflated ego, delving into areas it has no business meddling with, whether you will ever recognize it or not. It doesn't change the fact, Horizon is untouchable in every respect and anyone reading this should know it's not only worth having, but worth coming back to for years to come. Think for yourselves people. Peace.

I started playing this at the weekend and I played about 2 hours before I deleted it (and I bought it for ps5 on disc). Aloy doesn't shut up. Even on simple things like jumping to a ledge like I've never played a video game in my life and don't realise I can jump to the yellow thing behind me. I also didn't care about the characters or any of the quests. I really enjoyed the first game and finished it 100%...

Ah, another video essay where they try to extrapolate a good game into shit by whinging about everything. Great content, yeah, we love that. Hasn’t been done by every other lazy content creator so you may as well have a go🙄🙄🙄

Horizon is lame but AC origins/odyssey is good? LOL

I love these types of games, but there's a problem with me, as soon as I finish the main story the interesting part of my brain turns off, I don't wanna explore, it's happened for me with this game and ghost of tsushima as soon as I finished the story I put the game away but I always want to play it again, but when I do I just sit there looking at the map of the game and wasting time, anyone else have this problem?

But more robot dinosaurs though...

I'm glad the comments didn't dissapoint.

You just dont know how to have fun in games like these on your own initiative. Most game critics are that way.

i played this when it came out, on the ps4. It felt like a expansion addition, with a few additions and locations, but pretty much the same game. Why is Guerilla so bad at their release timing. Pretty much same exact game, i just did the main story and that was it, the extra objectives felt pointless and a waste of time.

I ordered, and paid for, my copy of Forbidden West pre release, so I was literally counting the days prior to delivery. Post delivery, I spent the next 4 - 5 weeks glued to my chair experiencing what the Zero Dawn team had come up with... And what a disappointment THAT was.
I found the story line boring. I found the game play boring. I found the, so called, 'improvements' ... you got it - boring. The time line between the 2 games was supposed to be 6 months. Really??? They must have been a really rough 6 months for Aloy. She looks to have aged 15 years in that time. They changed aspects of the game that really worked into unnecessary and complicated 'improvements' that didn't work. In fact, my reaction to HFW was, after the initial 4 - 5 weeks, to give my copy away to someone who wasn't in a position, financially, to order one. I've seen them since and they admit to firing the game up from time to time, but have no enjoyment of the game to the level that Zero Dawn provided.
There's talk of a Zero Dawn 3. Oh yeah? Count me out.

Next time, try the game on Ultra Hard on New Game Plus.

yeah forbidden west is not lame lol

What ruined this game for me:
*The woke BS ingrained in it, like f'ing get over yourselves, stop focusing on how to meet your damn indoctrinating degenerate quota and more on what the makes a story's narrative good, we already know you're demented.

*THE MUSIC IS A STEAMING PILE OF STINKING GARBAGE, huge downgrade from the first one. Like, I turned it off and just leave the ambient sounds, it's that bad. (that damn noise they dared to pass off as a "battle theme")

*They way the made Aloy absolutely arrogant beyond belief, to the point she gets to be so goddamn dislikeable. From being a character with an interesting backstory full with potential, to a an updated Mary Sue without care/affection and vulnerability for and with others while trying so hard to tell you she's perfect, she's not. That whole boss babe attitude is so old and super unappealing.

*The story falls shorts and flat on its face

*Too many goddamn weapons and bs like that cause they need the filler

*Overcomplicating the crafting of arrows, staches and upgrades....goddamn, is too much and not fun

spoiler below


THE KILLED VARL!! WTF?
the WASTED potential with FARO ...that was SUPER anti-climactic and lazy


Zero Dawn was 9/10
Forbidden West (including burning shores): 5/10

Considering I’m 80 hours into my first play through, lame is quite an exaggeration for some minor flaws

the only issue I have with this game, is that the skill and build r none existence. as long u do a few side quest in the game by the end of the dlc u will be level 60 with almost all skill unlocked, there really no build diversity here. the grind fest of getting certain machine part can be avoided simply using the arena duping glitch I could care less. there no way I would want to hunt 30 + of those t rex or lapras for their tail just to finish upgrading all my weapon and armor. they need to reinvent some of these grind feature and design a better skill system next game. by my second play through I got all unique and r level cap in ultra hard ng+, there literally no point to use certain weapon any further as u literally never going to use them for damage or tear machine part as u already got everything. also the combat system also pretty lame, entire focus was about freezing ur target so u could ignore their armor and bring out ur big dps weapon to finish them off in 2 to 3 hit. ya even apex big boy don't last more then 2-3 hit if u know ur build. game = boring once u figured this out.

Mind-bogglingly tedious is how I would describe it too.

It was apropos to see the word “Lame” over “Fundraiser”. And indeed this video was that.

Luke Stephens' overview of Horizon Forbidden West is Lame

Nope, AC 2 wasn't the best AC game, AC Brotherhood was. A good AC game is more than just parkour.

2024 and I can say Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best IP I have ever played.

I categorically disagree with your review on this one

What horizon needs is to double down on the collectibles, and streamline the upgrade system and make sure that the parts needed aren't random. Every weapon should require parts from the same 2 or 3 machines with increasing rarity. Remove greenshine. Coil system is good but more coils available per playthrough. Weapon balancing and feel is top notch. Quick draw mechanic is the best. There should be more randomness to the game. They should lean into the idea that these machines actually help the environment more and immerse the player in this idea. Make people more intractable with.

Wtf are you talking about? This is a dumb review. This game is sick af.

Games are what devs want to show you not you want to show devs

He is acting like devs seems devs of horizon unexperienced

Wait, did he just say that the opening sequence was 'new'? The sequence that showed images and areas from the first game???

i dunno how you beat the game in 35 hours i have 60 hours in and just got to the base about 25 % through the game i would say but i been doing all the side stuff

I thought the game blew away the 1st game specially the world and the story and the weather is amazing when u get past the 2nd area to the open open world

I just finished the game, and I thought I was going crazy because I didn't like it as much as the first. I hate the weapons, they are way too many variations, I wish they would have done just one of each kind and you could customize it and upgrade it as you go alone with different parts and different perks or stuff like that, and the story for me was just very predictable and way too much exposition. Spoiler ahead.... like the Far Zenith you are telling me these guys have super advanced technology that create basically a new life with Nemesis and you need to come to earth and get Gaia which should be an inferior AI by now for what they could create, I mean they have Apolo and upgrade it to be superior and they can't make their own AI? the story is already very far-fetched with Aloy fighting these advance machines that could with one swipe slice you in two if it was realistic but she's killing them with a bow. I'm done lol.

?

Oof bad take.

cry lol

My biggest complain about this game is the ubiquitous misandry. Toxic feminism at its strongest.

Worst take of last year.......

Mary sue know-it-all aloy. That's my largest gripe with the game. She was interesting in the first game. Even had moments where her story was compelling. I still wish I could make a secret ending where aloy misses a jump and dies, roll credits.

HFW+Burning Short were amazing, dont listen to this dude!

About the bloat and, as you said, "unnecessary grind and fillers", I think I got a decent answer as for why. Guerrilla is developing an MMO based on Horizon IP, and is fair to assume on HFW they have been experimenting with long term game play like looting and upgrades. Indeed, I agree that for a single player game, it is a bit "too much" like the apex K items for upgrades, for example, would make sense for an MMO instead. However, it is very excuseable since most of it is optional, and has little to no impact at all on the final outcome, the game ending.

As for the rest of criticisms, are all very personal, rather than objective.

Sure thing, the game has lost some good opportunities here and there, like collecting all drones side mission could have been much better flashed out, instead they left it as pure cosmetic, and a bit buggy too. But the game, overall, remains outstanding in so many compartments.

dude, I can’t believe he literally lied about the pullcaster (grappling hook) which you LITERALLY get during the tutorial before meridian, calling the daunt a part of the map from the first game, which it isn’t, and about aloys insecurities. She has MULTIPLE discussions about rost (her dead guardian) to varl, she talks about varls death to zo, and also talks about how she doesn’t really like beta during the mid section of the game. As the game progresses, you see her opening up, especially to beta, to the point where they call each other sisters.

Finally finsihed it .. the only main issue i have is the pacing and progression system.. takes way too long .. i had to get a new game plus save and use that and that made the game significantly better and i was able to enjoy the story and world and world building which was a master class.
This is a game worth buying still and a sequel would be amazing