I played an hour of this game back in April. I was trying to be positive about it at the time, but I stopped playing my PS5 at that point, and I didn't touch it again for 4 months. So I must not have liked it that much.
I started up again yesterday and played a few more hours. Here are my impressions:
1. I'm dismayed at the "girl power" theme. Did we really need two female protagonists teaming up -- two "strong and independent" female warriors, in a game already showcasing women? And most of the male characters are corrupt or marginally competent leaders, which further amplifies the feminist vibes. Yes, I know the first game had a "female first" vibe, but it wasn't as obnoxious as it is here. Or maybe I've just grown impatient with this stuff infecting so much of media. Never mind the unrealistic nature of the portrayal. I'm just tired of how hamfisted it is. It's so common that it's a cliche.
2. The writing is juvenile. For example, Seyka (?) is supposed to be one of the toughest marines they have, widely admired. Yet she says stuff like "Ooh, now we're heading into the spooky building!" and she boasts about her abilities. That is not how tough marines talk or act. She sounds like a character written by a mediocre YA fantasy writer. And there is too much exposition. Telling me that a character is heroic or virtuous does nothing for me. It's just words. Show, don't tell. Overall, the writing is just mediocre. I am just doing what the quest tells me to do, but I don't care how it works out. I don't give a shit about any of the characters or the story.
3. Why is the combat so much worse than it was in the original game? The combat in the original game was fun and strategic. Here, it is just frantic action all the time. I hardly have time to think. All these different weapons, all these different resistances, different on each enemy, all the different ammo types ... gimme a break. I was able to relax and have fun with the combat in the first game, but now they've made it overly complicated, too aggressive, and messy. At least that's the way I experience it. Which is unfortunate, because the combat in the original game was one of the things I loved about it. I get through the combat here, but I don't really enjoy it.
4. I've come across one puzzle so far -- the one with the code and the asteroids. Could you hold my hand any tighter? Not that I mind getting hints -- I don't like getting stuck on puzzles for too long -- but could you at least wait until I've had time to read the log I've just uncovered before you verbally tell me what I need to do next?
5. I see from reading the thread that Aloy turns out to be lesbian. Groan. Didn't we have enough lesbians in this game already? Is the future really so full of lesbians?
6. I'll say some positive things, though. The world is beautiful. It's fun to drive the skiff around. I like having access to the sunwing.
I'll keep plugging away, because I'm not even halfway through, but so far, I am feeling disappointed. I think my disappointment is amplified because Horizon ZD was my favorite game last gen. I feel like Guerilla took a great game and fucked it up.
