I’ve realized that my interest in open-world games has waned in recent years. Part of it is due to my increasingly busy schedule, which leaves me with less time for gaming, and I find myself drawn to shorter gaming experiences. Additionally, I’ve grown tired of the repetitive and often boring design of open-world games, particularly the checklist-style approach popularized by Ubisoft.
However, there is one open-world game that has managed to capture my attention despite my reservations: Horizon Zero Dawn. This game, released in 2017, doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking in terms of its open world. It follows the familiar checklist formula, with towers to scale, hunting quests, dungeons, enemy camps, and collectibles to find. While this type of game design usually doesn’t appeal to me, Horizon Zero Dawn’s take on the formula has me hooked.
The game’s stunning world, which combines mechanical enemies with natural beauty, immediately drew me in. The thrill of hunting down robotic creatures as the protagonist, Aloy, is incredibly satisfying. The combat mechanics, which require players to target specific components of the mechanical creatures, add depth to the gameplay. Engaging in intense battles against colossal mechanical beasts is a highlight of the game, and the sense of accomplishment after defeating a particularly challenging enemy is unparalleled.
Aloy’s journey, while not revolutionary, provides enough motivation to keep me invested in exploring the game’s world and uncovering its hidden details. Despite the release of other highly acclaimed open-world games, such as Breath of the Wild, I remained engrossed in Horizon Zero Dawn, choosing to immerse myself in its world instead.
As the years have passed, I sometimes question whether Horizon Zero Dawn’s appeal is as strong as I remember. However, the upcoming sequel, Horizon Forbidden West, has reignited my interest in the franchise. Despite my usual aversion to repetitive open-world games, I find myself eagerly anticipating the new installment and ready to dive back into the captivating world of Horizon.
