Horizon Forbidden West Review – The Sylens of the lambs

The best video game sequels don’t just double down on what made the original game successful, they also add new elements and tweak existing systems to provide a better experience. It’s a fine line to walk for developers, as they strive to both build on the foundation that they’ve created while making an adventure feel fresh, and it’s one that Horizon Forbidden West expertly walks on, only teetering over the edge into samey territory on a few occasions.

As a PlayStation exclusive, you already know what you’re in for: A gorgeous world to explore, cutting-edge visuals on the current PS5 console, and excellent implementation of the DualSense controller to help sell you on more immersive features. Horizon Forbidden West is all this and more, throwing in a few curious design choices that all together take the franchise in a bigger and bolder direction that’s filled with fantastic lore, deadly robotic adversaries, and stunning vistas to explore.

And if you weren’t around for the first Horizon, well…too bad. Picking up a few months after the events of the 2017 game and its DLC, 2 Guerilla Games’ Horizon 2 Forbidden West provides a scant amount of exposition regarding the state of the world as Aloy embarks on a new journey to save all life on the planet from a terraforming blight that is running amok. The worst kind of way to run, according to science.

Horizon Forbidden West’s story shows off one of the bigger changes under the hood, as Aloy’s adventure is told more elegantly and confidently when compared to her maiden journey. You’ll still be dumpster-diving for audio logs and journal entries in the ruins of the old world, but being able to sit back and enjoy more ambitious story moments constructed with a cinematic eye for quality instead of the clunkier cutscenes of the past makes for a huge difference overall.

That balance of mystery, plot twists, and narrative discovery also feels more tightly constructed in Forbidden West, further adding to the game’s overall sense of quality. Where Forbidden West does stumble though, is with Aloy’s characterisation as she’s burdened with a severe case of savior syndrome. Compared to the plucky hero who fought tooth and nail to discover her origins in a world ruled by machines, Aloy’s shift in attitude strips her of her charm as she juggles personal drama with a hard session at gym where she does multiple sets of carrying the world on her shoulders.

There are moments where Aloy is allowed to shine, but for the most part you’re stuck playing as a short-tempered grouch who treats her allies terribly and has a bad case of verbal diarrhea. A far cry from the lovable explorer we got in Zero Dawn. On the plus side, the rest of Forbidden West’s cast is far more interesting and fleshed out than a mumbling hero with a messiah complex, as the combination of old favorites, new adversaries, and Hollywood talent combine to form a rock-solid roster of narrative support.

Aloy might be as likeable as unexpected bills on the day before payday, but she more than makes up for lack of character development with some fantastic gameplay in the combat department. Depending on the approach that you take, Aloy quickly grows her skills and becomes a deadly predator who can take machines apart before they even realise it, a spear-wielding warrior without equal in the fighting pits of the Forbidden West, or a Jill-of-all-trades combatant who effortlessly chains melee and ranged attacks together. Landing a few spear blows onto an enemy, bouncing off of them, and nailing them with a well-placed arrow? Priceless.

I’m a big fan of laying traps, patiently biding my time, and analysing the enemy for the perfect moment to strike with the right arrow equipped, but Forbidden West’s more action-packed gameplay can only be described as a Combat 2.0 upgrade when you start to master it. Layering more options on top of the first game’s competent action, Forbidden West amplifies that experience with new weapons and ammo types that emphasise flexibility in the heat of battle.

When you’re facing massive bionic beasts–giant robot snakes, why did it have to be giant robot snakes–being able to dodge, dive, and turn the tide of battle by using the weapons of your own enemies against them, is an exhilarating power trip. And those machines! The Slitherfang is already one of my favorite designs, but every other design in Forbidden West is a mechanical masterclass of engineering and design. The Thunderjaw is still an apex predator, Wildemaws are comically overpowered with their vacuum-mouth attacks, and the electronic eco-system is full of other creatures that you’ll regularly encounter.

While the freedom to explore hasn’t evolved too much–Aloy still needs to find handholds to climb surfaces instead of being able to clamber over everything–what changes are present do feel meaningful. You’ll usually find a path available for wherever you want to go, the pullcaster makes for some fun grappling, and working your way down a mountain is easier than ever thanks to one handy item you’ll pick up that feels like it was inspired by Aloy’s greatest nemesis, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

There are some lingering gripes–like that water-logged stage that has been a source of platforming frustration–and some archaic restrictions, but these gripes are quickly forgotten about when you soak up the sheer majesty of the Forbidden West.

If there’s one thing that PlayStation-exclusive games are brilliant at, it’s creating a visual world that’s made to be shown off, especially if you have the right hardware to do so. I still can’t get over the breathtaking beauty of Horizon’s lush juggles, the sumptuous small details of old world ruins, or even the artistic touches of creativity in the game’s tribal designs. The distinction of identity between each tribe–where you’ll be handed a ton of great and varied side-quests along the way–the more fascinating sandbox you’re left to explore, and the treasure hunts which feel generally rewarding, all play to Horizon Forbidden West’s greatest strengths.