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What are your expectations for Horizon Zero Dawn?
- Thread starter truly101
- Start date
More_Badass
Member
My expectations?
- An interesting world to explore, with tons of little details and touches
- Interesting lore that takes advantage of the far future setting
- Intense skillful combat
- Varied and complex interactions between machines
- Gorgeous graphics
Anything else, like a good story, is just icing
Given what I've glimpsed in gameplay clips, they've got at least three of those down. The question is how far they take those elements
- An interesting world to explore, with tons of little details and touches
- Interesting lore that takes advantage of the far future setting
- Intense skillful combat
- Varied and complex interactions between machines
- Gorgeous graphics
Anything else, like a good story, is just icing
Given what I've glimpsed in gameplay clips, they've got at least three of those down. The question is how far they take those elements
Also thisI' m going to use this gif to describe why I'm personally excited for the game and why I kind of hate the "it looks like every other open world game" as it undersells a lot of the little details that separate, in my mind, this game from a lot of the open world games out there.
To begin with the the Thunderjaw itself is amazing creation not just because of all the moving parts, the slick art style and the cool idea. Look at how it actually bumps into the tree at first and reacts like a creature would to this. In most games, especially open world games this isn't even a consideration. Most NPC's will just walk into and around something or worse get stuck. The Thunderjaw hits the tree's, recoils and shifts its body before ramming it and properly toppling it. Not only that but many of the objects in the environment are destructible and interactive from the tree's to buildings and so forth.
The little visual cues given off by the Thunderjaw as to what its going to do. Right before the Thunderjaw charges through the tree toppling it over its eyes do a distinct large red lens flare "flash" to signal its about to start charging, as well as its entire body language showing its tensing for the charge. Just a lot of cues as to when the Thunderjaw is going to attack on top of audio cues as well. This is the kind of stuff not enough developers focus when doing combat, the tell's are as important as the reactions of your character to them. No Death Claw in Fall Out was nearly this interesting to fight, intimidating to cross paths with, and open to be taken down in so many ways.
This is one gif and its so full of interesting little details and combined with the already slick looking combat, the tight controls, smart gameplay ideas like generating a quest for a rare crafting material instead of hunting for a rare loot drop. I think the fact that GG isn't a well known open world game creator is quite possibly the games biggest strength as their fresh outlook and skills in action gameplay might be the best thing to happen to open world games in a long time. Now in all the RPG elements, the platforming, the dungeons, the crafting and all the other gameplay systems that seem to interact in a ton of different ways and you could have something truly special even if some of the cut scene animation isn't up to Naughty Dogs level or anything like that.
Omnistalgic
Member
love the uncharted like platforming. Some games really don't need every rock and hill to be some death jump of platforming. I would hate to die after discovering some place new just from a mistimed jump. Although I do hope they make those secret hidden dungeons more challenging combat and platforming.Running around, climbing and platforming
MemoryHumanity
Member
8/10
yes,but its designed to be played with it
That is pretty much what I am seeing. It sure as hell is no Far Cry clone, and I actually love Far Cry. I am just not seeing that here.
Omnistalgic
Member
I don't think that's fair. Not every game has to have Mario/Ratchet/Zelda platforming, that's really not the focus in Horizon. The discovery seems to be more about finding out about the people, the past, what happened, and the current cultures. Something like Zelda where puzzles are more of an intricate part of gameplay likely has hidden treasures etc...in hard to reach places. I think it will be kinda annoying to miss a jump and fall to you death in a game like Horizon.
UC4 platforming for example fit that game IMO. It was traversing more than platforming, and I really love the jumping/hanging/climbing sections.
Jawbreaker
Member
I have a hard time understanding what would be detrimental about having a minimalist HUD while you're out exploring on your own terms.
Otherspacing
Member
I have it on preorder because I got a cheap deal so I'll at least play it at launch.
I'm not extremely excited for it, but the game is pretty and I'm hoping the gameplay loop isn't repetitive.
AAA platforming is so distracting, can she only jump on things painted yellow?
I'm not extremely excited for it, but the game is pretty and I'm hoping the gameplay loop isn't repetitive.
AAA platforming is so distracting, can she only jump on things painted yellow?
Insane Metal
Member
Jawbreaker
Member
I have it on preorder because I got a cheap deal so I'll at least play it at launch.
I'm not extremely excited for it, but the game is pretty and I'm hoping the gameplay loop isn't repetitive.
AAA platforming is so distracting, can she only jump on things painted yellow?
You can Skyrim your way up hills/mountains.
Wasn't mean as criticism, simply was curious (I don't watch many trailers of games I might end up buying, way more fun that way). And yeah in a game like this I'm fine with UC like 'platforming'.
see above.
I do think it shouldn't be called platforming though. Rather 'pressing a button and watching the character automatically do shit without even a hint of challenge' : P
Papacheeks
Banned
You mean the other mode that usually isn't the focus in these souls style games was not great? You mean a mode that was talked about less and shown less than all teh single player beta's they put put out? You mean how most reviewers are reviewing it off of it's single player which is it's main selling point and focus?
CO-OP is nice, but it's not the main reason to buy this, nor was it the main reason bloodborne was so loved and reviewed so well. Reviewers based the game mainly on it's single player experience.
Thanks for bringing up a random game in a Horizon thread.
Omnistalgic
Member
If the developers go that far with such a deep customizable options menu, I think it implies you can tailor the game to how you want to play. That's conjecture on your part. I plan on turning most of the stuff off and I don't think my experience will be hindered in any way.
On a random note I didn't realize John Gonzalez co developed the Nemesis System for Shadow of Mordor. They should implement something like that in the inevitable sequel. Don't kill that Thunderjaw and it returns upgraded and pissed later on in the game and continues to hunt you down as you leave visible scars on its body while it learns from each battle to better counter you.
FarFromAnyGame
Banned
GOTY contender!
Kingpin Rogers
Member
I'm expecting it to be mediocre and disappoint a lot of people. I've never been able to see anything special about it and I'm looking forward to the gaf meltdown when the game is below 80 on metacritic.
FarFromAnyGame
Banned
Not everything needs to be challenging. It's fun to do and that's enough. Especially with great animations like UC4.
i'm expecting an above average, unique spin on the open world/arpg formula. and little else
hope I'm pleasantly surprised and it blows me away ... immersive exploration, great writing, ect ... but I've been burnt on hype too many times this gen. it looks fun, i expect fun, so thats the bar it has to pass for me
hope I'm pleasantly surprised and it blows me away ... immersive exploration, great writing, ect ... but I've been burnt on hype too many times this gen. it looks fun, i expect fun, so thats the bar it has to pass for me
AlfredX1990
Banned
Best Ubisoft game not done by Ubisoft
ScaryShark
Banned
Awesome visuals, satisfying and simple gameplay loop and a game I'll want to 100%/platinum. 20-25 hours and a showpiece for my new OLED. I'm optimistic it will have some decent difficulty options that make it more interesting and hopefully not more tedious the more challenging it is.
I expect the story to be poor/rote and have no expectations of the characters being impactful or interesting in any way given Guerrilla's atrocious track record in those departments.
I expect the story to be poor/rote and have no expectations of the characters being impactful or interesting in any way given Guerrilla's atrocious track record in those departments.
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
I expect a bunch of comparisons (valid and stupid) to Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I also expect those to last the entirety of 2017 until GOTY's Awards start coming out.
StrongBlackVine
Banned
I look forward to you eating crow. Also you have a piss poor attitude. I'm sure you have been looking forward to meltdowns on reviews for a while. Probably since FFXV and TLG. You must be starving for negativity now. Prepare to be disappointed again when the good scores drop.
There is a good reason review codes are going out now. Sony and GG know they have a gem.
well...the thing is you don't actually do anything. It's more like slightly interactive cutscenes. But this is neither time nor place do discuss this. Plus like I said, in a game like this it's ok I guess.
FalsettoVibe
Member
I expect a good game. I'm hopeful for an amazing game.
flatearthpandas
Member
Take a deep breath. It's a game you haven't played yet, we can all set our expectations wherever.
Goldenroad
Member
Modern Tomb Raider with robot dinosaurs...which is fine by me. Those last two Tomb Raider games were dope.
Nocturnowl
Member
A good game that feels like a first draft for something better, I'm expecting a lot of "it's good but..." particularly in regards to the combat.
And for the plot and all that to be rather donkey balls in the grand scheme of things, not like offensively bad or anything, more like something that takes up more time than it warrants.
On the whole though another solid PS4 title that keeps the ball rolling in this kinda crazy quality first quarter.
And for the plot and all that to be rather donkey balls in the grand scheme of things, not like offensively bad or anything, more like something that takes up more time than it warrants.
On the whole though another solid PS4 title that keeps the ball rolling in this kinda crazy quality first quarter.
More_Badass
Member
Perhaps, but I always find the desire to see people frustrated by a game ending up disappointing to be baffling
NipplesAndToes23
Member
For it to be good.
tearsintherain
Member
A bit low, I wasn't that impressed with the last Killzone. I expect a mish mash of Uncharted 4 and the Ubi open world formula with some real cringey dialogue, a hero that feels a bit remote and distant, and a story that isn't very satisfying.
I hope I am surprised by the quality and writing but not expecting to be.
I hope I am surprised by the quality and writing but not expecting to be.
Yeah, I don't think the MCs are going to be pretty. I expect them to be similar potentially.
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
WOW? I never thought about the possibility of this being better than BOTW. I guess for what it's worth, Zelda is the video game to me.
KingdomHeartsFan
Member
Game has been looking great, I'm expecting a really good game.
TheSpaceBetween
Member
It'll be good, but much like Zelda, I am not looking forward to the open world aspects. Crafting, collecting, vast spaces of emptiness, and shitty sidequests are not fun.
HIGH DEF JEFF
Banned
I expect a great looking game that I will be bored of after 5 hours.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
As one of only a literal handful of GAFfers that thoroughly enjoyed Killzone ShadowFall, I'm expecting to enjoy Horizon.
Not sure why those who generally disliked Geurilla's last few games would be confident though. Is it just because it's a PlayStation exclusive? In the end, it's going to be a Geurilla game. Surely your expectations should be based in what you generally think of their recent output?
Not sure why those who generally disliked Geurilla's last few games would be confident though. Is it just because it's a PlayStation exclusive? In the end, it's going to be a Geurilla game. Surely your expectations should be based in what you generally think of their recent output?
StrongBlackVine
Banned
I took issue with anticipation of joy from seeing the game disappointment people. That is a shitty attitude and indefensible IMO.