Topic: Horizon: Zero: Dawn

Man, if there's any reason I miss having a subscription to Game Informer, it's the covers. They always seem to look nice.

@Octane Thanks for the info.

I heard this is also releasing on PS3. Is this true?

Nope.

The Surprising Depth Of Horizon Zero Dawn's New Gameplay...

Featuring pre-release gameplay from Guerilla Games' new action RPG, this interview with director Mathijs de Jonge covers the importance of creating a challenging experience for players, emergent gameplay, and how different tribes affect gameplay.

I wonder how big the world will be, if it's going to feature all these different environments. I'm hoping for some good variety in enemies. Don't want things to become repetitive.

@Octane: The map size is supposed to be 'big' and 'comparable to other Open World games' but according to Guerrilla games, they also wanted to focus on Density over size but that doesn't mean its 'small'

There is a bit of that conversation in this video

Horizon Zero Dawn's lead writer John Gonzalez about his history working on Fallout: New Vegas and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor before joining Guerrilla Games to help craft Aloy's story.

It's odd that everyone in the gaming community jumped to the conclusion that the "creatures" we see are purely mechanical. I propose something slightly different and a bit more complex. I think they're biomechanical.

How do you think this will compare to Zelda: Breath of the Wild? Its promotion kinda makes me feel like they are similar games in terms of gameplay.

Also, Shuhei Yoshida said something about it last E3: "I just played Zelda! The new Zelda game. You know, open world, and hunting. And I had a bizarre feel, this feels like Horizon. This is a epic, huge game. I can not wait to play Zelda again when it comes out."

@RenanKJ I think it will differ greatly. Both maybe open world but I expect that Horizon will be more of an RPG and more action orientated too. Zelda will be more exploration, puzzle solving etc. The combat we have seen in Zelda looks far more basic (not to say bad) compared to Horizon and the game-play too. Story is obviously very different too.

I don't know if Link has a levelling system, crafting and such a variety of weapons, ammo and traps. I don't know if the enemies will be as complex with multiple attacks either. I don't know whether stealth will play a role like it does in Horizon either.

I know similarities will be made as both are open world RPG's but I think they will be significantly different. If you are undecided, wait until they are reviewed and/or watch game-play.

@RenanKJ Zelda isn't an RPG (although we're also stretching the definition by calling Horizon an RPG in my opinion). Like BAMozzy said, one has a focus on action, whereas the other is more focussed on exploration and (basic) puzzle solving. People are definitely going to compare the two though, and so will I probably. Both are day one games for me, so I still need to find a way to play them simultaneously...

@BAMozzy @Octane
Watching trailers it does feel like what you said is spot on. Personally, I expect Horizon to have a great world to explore too instead of simply fighting all the time (although the action parts look awesome), but Zelda will be better at that, I guess.

On the other hand, hopefully Zelda will learn with Horizon how to do a proper fight; when you compare both in this aspect Breath of the Wild feels way to simple for an action/adventure game.

@RenanKJ I really don;t think Horizon will be a 'bad' world to explore and maybe even more diverse environmentally too. Horizon trailers have shown far more diversity - its not all 'jungle' type areas and I would imagine the derelict cities could be an interesting place to explore too. Zelda looks quite barren and I haven't seen any difference in the environments - well apart from the caves.

Zelda is (I think) more likely to appeal to old and young players and as such is likely to be far less deep in lore, far more simplistic in Combat and RPG elements and add some quite basic puzzle elements to complete to get through the caves and to the loot. Combat is far more simplistic - just hit the enemies until their health is gone. With Horizon, there are weaknesses and strengths of course. You don't have to know these but it could help - craft and use the right ammo/traps, target their weaponry and use that against them (or not - your choice). I don't know if it will have the same way to achieve loot - like Zelda - ie explore a cave at at the end of it is a treasure chest. I do know that there vendors in the villages that will sell you new gear - not just weapons but armour too with their own stats, strengths and weaknesses and Aloy herself has her own levelling system too - I doubt Link will. I believe Aloys levelling has upgrade paths, skills to learn/improve as you progress as you would expect from a (more adult) RPG.

I don't know if Zelda has 'side quests' - usually these are associated with story progression in that someone asks a 'personal favour' before they will allow you to continue the path forward - not optional. I expect that Horizon's will be optional - with rewards and of course XP.

Just under 5weeks to go now and we will know....

Watch the latest trailer.

Also, I can confirm side quests in Zelda (a total of 76 I believe, not a huge amount), but like Horizon, we have no idea how they are going to be implemented. Are they simple fetch quests, or are they quests with a deep narrative that help you to understand other characters, the world or the lore better?

It's also funny how people over at NLife are convinced that Zelda will be the better game with better combat, etc. Me? I'm going to get them both day one and see how comparable they are and if one is better than the other.

Just got out first glimpse at the map, looks pretty big;

http://i.giphy.com/z6bupta6gE4gg.gif

There's a Machine Catalog in the game and from what I can see there are at least 26 different robots that you can battle and/or ride. I'm sucker for stuff like that, love to read through bestiaries and other character and monster lists, it's always a big plus when a game has them in my opinion!

Ouch, have you seen that New Gameplay video? Horrible voice acting

The graphics are unreal, though!

@KratosMD Yeah, the combat looks ace. My only question mark now is the story and writing, but I guess I should drop my expectations for those.

Hope you can turn up the volume of Aloy's VA, it's difficult to hear what she's saying. It sounds like she's whispering.