Review: ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ on PS5 – A Worthy Successor?
The ‘Horizon’ series has been a runaway success for Guerrilla Games, with the original game receiving widespread critical acclaim and commercial success. The sequel, ‘Horizon Forbidden West’, has now been released on the PlayStation 5, and it’s time to see if it lives up to the hype. In this review, we’ll dive into the game’s technical and gameplay improvements, as well as its narrative and overall value.
Technical Improvements
The first thing that strikes you about ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ is its stunning visuals. Running at a native 4K resolution on the PS5, the game’s graphics are a visual treat. The shots are crisp, the textures are detailed, and the animations are fluid. The game also makes excellent use of the PS5’s DualSense controller, using haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to enhance the sense of immersion.
The game’s performance is also smooth, with no noticeable frame drops or stuttering, even in the most intense moments. The PS5’s SSD provides lightning-quick loading times, making it easy to jump back into the action without waiting around for the game to load.
Gameplay and Combat
The combat in ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ has been refined and expanded upon from the original game. Aloy’s abilities have been buffed, giving her more flexibility and agency in taking down enemies. The addition of new abilities, such as the Echo – a mechanical companion that can aid in combat – adds a new layer of strategy to the gameplay.
The combat is also more varied, with a greater emphasis on strategy and tactics. Players can now combine Aloy’s abilities with the Echo’s to create complex and deadly combos. The game’s enemies are also more formidable, requiring players to think critically and use their skills and strategies to overcome them.
Narrative and Characters
The story in ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ is more focused and streamlined than its predecessor. The game’s narrative is more streamlined, with a clearer sense of direction and purpose. The characters, particularly the returning cast from the original game, are more fleshed out and nuanced.
Aloy is still the central character, but she’s joined by a number of new allies and opponents, each with their own agendas and motivations. The game’s story tackles some heavy themes, including the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control and the ethics of scientific experimentation on humans.
Value and Re-Replayability
‘Horizon Forbidden West’ is a game that is designed to be replayed. With a main story that takes around 20-30 hours to complete, there’s plenty of content to sink your teeth into. The game features a number of side quests and activities, including a robust fishing minigame, a crafting system, and a variety of collectibles to hunt down.
The game also features a New Game+ mode, which allows players to replay the game with all of their upgrades and abilities intact. This adds a significant amount of replay value to the game, making it feel like a premium experience.
Conclusion
‘Horizon Forbidden West’ is a worthy successor to the original game. With its stunning visuals, refined combat, and engaging narrative, it’s a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. The game’s technical improvements, particularly its graphics and performance, make it a showcase title for the PS5.
The game’s value is also excellent, with a strong main story, a variety of side content, and a New Game+ mode that adds hours of replayability. If you’re looking for a game to showcase the capabilities of your PS5, or just want to experience a great single-player experience, ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ is an excellent choice.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Recommendation:
If you enjoyed the original ‘Horizon’ game, you’ll love ‘Horizon Forbidden West’. If you’re new to the series, this is a great starting point, with a strong narrative and engaging gameplay to hook you in. And if you’re looking for a showcase title for your PS5, this is the perfect game to start with.
