
A slingshot fires ice and electricity projectiles that stun and freeze on impact. The ropecaster lasso beats and pins them to the ground. Much of the game’s weaponry is designed to suppress rather the damage. It likes to think through its ideas, and spend time with its characters.Īnd when the game does switch its emphasis from words to action, the combat doesn’t regurgitate the traditional formula of swapping between increasingly powerful guns. The intro is leisurely for good reason: it needs to establish a narrative foundation enough to withstand innumerable sequels. A three-hour-long prologue introduces Aloy her father figure Rost the politics of her tribe, the Nora and the fundamentals of how to collect materials, hunt beasts, and craft ammunition and upgrades. Photo: Horizon Zero Dawn Beginner’s advice:Ĭommercials sell Horizon as if it’s Assassin’s Creed with guns, explosions, and robot dinosaurs, but the game is slower than that marketing suggests. Think of this as a tour guide, something to take on your journey, directing you in interesting and useful directions.


I’ve ordered the tips as they’re needed in the game’s timeline, so don’t feel pressured to remember every note at once. These are the lessons I learned in my playthrough, free of any major story spoilers. Horizon Zero Dawn review: a greatest hits collection of open-world games
