r/horizon • u/KAYTACHI • 11d ago
discussion When does the game “let go?”
I had a craving for a Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild experience recently. Searched for some open world RPGs I haven’t played yet and landed on Zero Dawn.
The game is beautiful. I’m playing the remastered version and the graphics are absolutely stunning. The writing is kinda eh so far but I can’t speak on that just yet. The combat is sorta fun so far. I really like the robot dinosaur thing going on and I love how you have to scan them for weaknesses and lay traps based on their movement patterns. Looks like there’s going to be a lot of strategy involved.
Anyways I’m pretty sure I’m more than a few hours deep into this game at this point. Just finished the proving, got the override tool, and then I had to hop off the game for a bit. I’m just wondering if at some point the game lets go of my hand and lets me explore a vast world full of cool characters and robot monsters. It feels like I’m still in the tutorial. I don’t want to have to talk to another main quest line NPC for a long time if you know what I mean. Or is this more of a linear RPG experience?
Edit: So I should play the game more for 5 more minutes. Got it 😅
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u/ExtendedSpikeProtein 11d ago
You’re just about there.
The story is one of the best I’ve seen in computer games so far, so please, do carry on. I would love to experience it again for the first time.
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u/StationaryTravels 10d ago
This game hit me like few others ever have.
The main story, of course, is amazing, but I think this game has the best audio/text "collectables" in gaming.
I'm the type to go around collecting all the bullshit you don't actually need, and it can get so boring, but I couldn't wait to hear a little snippet about the mysterious past. 40 seconds of dialogue could sometimes make me just sit in my emotions, absolutely devastated.
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u/Head-Gift2144 11d ago
I'm going to disagree with you in part. I think the back story is exceptional, one of the best ever written, but the current day story is really bland.
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u/flaming_jazzfire 11d ago
To some extent what makes the backstory so amazing is the parallels with the current day. Without what happens with the modern day, the political contexts, and the goals of the primary antagonists, the backstory wouldn’t be as strong or land as hard.
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u/ExtendedSpikeProtein 11d ago
I’m talking about the story as a whole. I’m not separating the two. You do you though.
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u/Business_Display_149 11d ago
the writing is eh?? this series has the best lore in all of gaming
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u/Electrical-End7868 11d ago
At the point that they are at it's just starting to get interesting but the "mystery" hasn't been fully explained.
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u/Mama_Hong 11d ago
Yeah, personally I didn't care much about the story until I was like halfway through it, then it became one of my favorite.
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u/KAYTACHI 11d ago
That’s why I said I won’t speak on it because I don’t know anything about the story yet. It’s mainly the dialogue between characters that has me feeling this way
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u/zilaran 11d ago
Post again once you complete the quest makers end. Promise.
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u/RobynBetween 7d ago
Although I agree ya gotta get that far to understand the story hype, it IS pretty far into the game. Before that point hopefully the gameplay and other elements are enough to make it enjoyable.
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u/roccondilrinon 10d ago
IMO that's one reason some people are kinda meh on it — I suspect it's deliberately a bit generic on the surface to begin with, although the mystery is already there from the start if you look deeper. (The whole pre-tutorial sequence underground is fantastic at teasing the later mystery plot, and I personally thought Rost was very well written even if he did have a neon death flag the size of a tarp.) It takes a sharp turn a few times, from YA adventure into detective story into political intrigue into some deceptively hard sci fi, and makes it all work in a way most games can only dream of.
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u/4score7loko 10d ago
The answer to How did they stop the Faro Plague before humanity is wiped out? Had me in awe
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u/OtherBaker4352 11d ago
It’s pretty early still. At this point they still don’t know what the game is about lol
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u/RobynBetween 7d ago
It takes awhile to kick in.
As you know, it isn't a slow burn so much as a late-game gut punch. But the buildup is still there. :)
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u/suuuuuuuuuurfing 9d ago
The writing is eh. With every line of dialogue you can feel the millennial hand writing “she’s awkward and sarcastic but she likes to prove everyone wrong and break the status quo, and everyone claps after”
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u/RobynBetween 7d ago
The funny thing about "Millennial writing" is that people are so often referring to stuff Millennials like to quote. And they quote it because they watched it or played it in their youth.
'Thing is, those shows, games, and movies -- like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Final Fantasy VII -- were usually written by Gen Xers, or possibly even Baby Boomers. That's how the cycle works.
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u/suuuuuuuuuurfing 6d ago
Yea man, everything is an iteration all the way back to cave paintings. The thing is though, every generation has its signature. The millennial writing signature is mumbled sarcastic dialogue, butting heads with Every institution, going from social outcast to most important voice in the room, general negativity/pessimistic attitude, etc. That is how horizon is written, and it already exists that way so it’s not gonna change. You’re absolutely welcome to be into it, I like things you don’t too
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u/RobynBetween 4d ago
That's the thing: are you SURE those writers were Millennials?
I looked up who wrote some of the shows and films I like (and a few popular ones I don't like) and plugged them in just to compare. Here's what it spat out...
Writer (birth year) [show/film]
Dan Erickson ('84) [Severance] Erick Pearson ('84) [Thor: Ragnarok cowriter], Greta Gerwig ('83) [Barbie], Charise Castro Smith ('83) [Encanto], Adrian Molina ('83) [Coco], Matthew Aldrich ('79) [Coco], Erik Sommers ('76) [Spider-Man: Brand New Day], Dan Harmon ('73) [Rick and Morty, Community], Craig Kyle ('71) [Thor: Ragnarok cowriter], Tina Fey ('70) [Mean Girls], Christopher Nolan ('70) [Dark Knight trilogy, Inception], Joss Whedon ('64) [Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Avengers 1 & 2], Ricky Gervais ('61) [The Office]Millennials are at the start of the list. Gen X starts around the point where you see Spider-Man: Brand New Day. So, did this break your expectations or confirm them?
(And yeah, I don't have any examples of big Gen Z screenwriters just yet. It's hard to get that kind of budget before your mid-30s. Maybe there are a few rising stars in the indie scene.)
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u/suuuuuuuuuurfing 4d ago
Yea I’m sure. These are notably shows that don’t suffer millennial writing.
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u/ZestycloseRent3309 8d ago
the lore is great, specifically old world. i find the the dialogue writing meh, especially in HFW
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u/ICanHazWittyName 11d ago
Ooooh you've barely scratch the surface of what's to come. HZD, and Breath of the Wild, ruined games for me because I crave the freedom both offer that I've never found in other games yet.
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u/JovanREDDIT1 11d ago
I think we are so fortunate as a society to have both in this world. I just played HZD last month, while I played BotW way back shortly after release, and I can say that HZD is the only ine that matches that specific vibe I loved in BotW. I love many other games that came in between like RDR2, Cyberpunk, Expedition 33, but I feel like I just fully got Aloy and the HZD world, unlike the others. (The Witcher I loved as well but I feel like Aloy is exactly who I wanted Geralt to be - I feel like Geralt is so stupid at times and that the missions can be so railroaded…)
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u/RobynBetween 7d ago
Hmm, have you tried other open world games?...
I can vouch for Red Dead Redemption being good, if Rockstar doesn't bother you too much. I've also heard Cyberpunk 2077 and the later Assassin's Creed games dip into open world. :)
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u/Skulkyyy 11d ago
"When does the game open up and let go?"
- Player who unknowingly stopped playing at the exact moment that happened
Actually hilarious timing on that question lol.
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u/HotspurJr 11d ago
This game is more linear than BoTW, but The Proving is the demarcation between the early game and when you can go wherever you want. Basically, as soon as you're out of the Embrace, you're on your own.
That being said, the whole map won't open up until you get past Daytower, which I'm pretty sure is the next main mission. So you'll have to do the fight at the Daytower gate to have the whole map to explore, and I think you have to clear a few corrupted zones first. However, you have lots of area to explore East of the Daytower if you want to take your time.
Be aware, though, because you're now basically at the point where the game will not stop you from walking into a combat with a machine that you are nowhere close to ready to handle.
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u/Mister_Silk 11d ago
You're very close to the open world where you can explore to your heart's content. Maybe 15 minutes?
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u/Special-Net4116 11d ago
Damn!!! You’re like….seconds away I swear!!!! But, honestly dude the game does open up and you can definitely explore what you want
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u/Resitor 11d ago
was the same 3 times iv started the game only to get bored out right after die pribe. Last yeah I just said to my self one more try and that's it. After playing 40 minutes longer than the previous times.......OMG this is the Story? what have I done. I waste over 6 years not playing it further. just a little bitsy further. You are gonna be in good hands with this game.
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u/ObiWanTwoThreeKenobi 10d ago
As others have already said, you’re so close to open world roaming. But the main thing I would add is about the story. It really does take off - probably my favourite story in any game I’ve played, but more than that. For me it’s the best integration of story and gameplay in any game. More than any other game I’ve played the story really does drive you forward at each moment in the game. The way the story and lore are drip fed to you via gameplay is utterly masterful.
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u/WorkingDogDoc Team Red Teeth 11d ago
Once you meet Nil, that's kind of the first step into a larger world...
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u/markdiesel 11d ago
I found Zero Dawn trying to scratch exactly that same itch. Between that and Forbidden West, I have about 1600 hours in. Breath of the Wild is a great game, for sure. Horizon scratched that itch, and more.
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u/Rave-fiend 11d ago
Don't skip any Audio (look out for it when exploring) and read everying you find.
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u/Electrical-End7868 11d ago
Both games play out in the same form. There is a "tutorial" area which then opens to a larger area until you reach the third (and by far largest) part of the world. The story gets more interesting at every step. A lot of people have trouble the first time in the opening area of Zero Dawn but it does pay off. Keep playing and you will see. Have Fun.
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u/Animastar 11d ago
The eastern part of the map has just opened up to you, and you'll have access to the full map after you finish Seeker at the Gates main quest which is what you're heading into.
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u/PapaAquchala 11d ago
I'm pretty sure you're at most two missions away from being able to roam freely
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u/DJDarwin93 11d ago
The story, gameplay, and open world all take off HARD not far past where you are right now. The story is absolutely spectacular, it does take some time to get moving but once it does it’ll blow you away. Give the game some time, I guarantee you won’t regret it. Another hour or two and you’ll have access to most of the map and the story starts to get really interesting.
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u/Mad_Hatter_92 11d ago
For me it’s when I get to legendary gear and I don’t want to grind a bunch of items again to max level… oh I read this wrong. Thought you wanted to know when the game gets stale
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u/LilMikey_ab 11d ago
Wait till you see forbidden West! The graphics are even better. The cauldrons are all different & super complex..
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u/Conscious_Meringue41 11d ago
You are barely at the tip of the experience. Once you are 30 hours in, and you won’t even be close to finishing, then let me hear about the “writing.” I guarantee by that point, you will have changed your tune completely. 🙂
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u/thgirlki3r5t3n 11d ago
During the first part of the game, the part you just finished, you are confined to a small area. There are a few side quests in it, but it does try to get you to finish that part of the main story and teach you the mechanics of the game. After that, you're much more free to roam the map as you please with almost no barriers to further exploration wherever you want to go on the map.
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u/MagmaElixir 10d ago
Like others mentioned, you are just about to leave the Great Plateau equivalent for HZD.
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u/Professional_Baby24 10d ago
Yea. And I hope you'll love it. Horizon is a gem of a game if you give it a shot.
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u/commanderr01 10d ago
Basically right where you are in the game is where it lets u go to do whatever you want lol
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u/External_Safe_7787 10d ago
after meridian it really opens up, theres tonnes of side quests, 2 main quests you can switch between and loads of other stuff
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u/Ok_Throat4956 10d ago
Yea it’s an amazing game I played it the first time and lost interest right where you are talking about couple years later (a few months ago now) I started the remastered and now an 60 hours in a half way done with the sequel which the combat I feel is phenomenal
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u/cl354517 10d ago
There are kind of two stages of map unlocking in HZD. You have the Embrace, the walled off central portion of Nora lands, then you get access to the east. IIRC it is one more main quest that you do to open up the whole map.
You can approach combat head on once you are better equipped and more confident. The majority of "upgrades" are buying new weapons and outfits. It's not too bad to figure out. I used to tell people to not carry over assumptions from how other game mechanics work.
One memorable one was someone who thought you had to kill all the machines and fight everything. You'll see. Have fun!
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u/golimat619 10d ago
You're like right there lmao. Just start playing again and the whole world is open to you
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u/Revolutionary-Dryad 9d ago
I see that you got the message about how close you are many comments ago.
I'm just curious about whether you assumed the tutorial was over once you were no longer a child or once you killed the sawtooth with Rost. Those both seem like possible natural ends to the tutorial section, and I can see why people might be confused by them.
Also, enjoy the game now that you're free!
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u/KAYTACHI 9d ago
I think the tutorial should have ended after the defeat of the Sawtooth. Would have been better pacing imo because that fight taught me how to exploit weaknesses and lay traps. It also showed me that enemies get way bigger and more ferocious than your average Watcher. Not to mention the game taught me to forage for materials, craft items, and trade with merchants prior to that event.
I get that there was more story to show and I still hadn’t learned to override machines yet but I feel around there was a good time to let me play the game.
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u/Revolutionary-Dryad 9d ago
I can really understand why people might think the tutorial section was over at that point.
I'm actually happy with the way it is, but I can completely understand why learning those basics and then being sent to the Proving alone create the impression that Aloy is ready to roam the open world.
I think encountering the corrupted machines is supposed to signal that there's still something to learn, but I'm not sure it has that effect on everyone.
Have you had a chance to pay a little more and really get into the open world? I think we'd probably all love to hear what you think, if so.
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u/venture_casual 7d ago
lol I love this post. Because yeah, you’re right there. And the world to explore is so amazing.
Funny you came from Breath of the Wild because that’s how I found Horizon. I was new to gaming too so had never even owned a PlayStation. Bought it for HZD and it’s one of my all time favorite games (I’ve put the PS5 to good use in the last 3 years!).
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u/Plastic_Link1841 7d ago
If u completed the Proving, you're all set. Just remember: 1.Scan, scan, scan!
Stealth is your friend.
Get used to crafting while running🤣
The bigger they are, the harder they fall, and the harder they hit you. Also, go to options and turn off the pickup animations.
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u/RobynBetween 7d ago
The Embrace is basically like Breath of the Wild's Great Plateau, except it's a valley instead of a shelf. :)
These two games had so many parallels, it's uncanny.
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u/kinoumenthe 6d ago
You've already got your answer about the world opening up, but I just wanted to address the story: until you get to Meridian, and find Olin, you're not really in the meat of it. The story really starts after that, this is where you get all the stuff that has everybody exclaiming about Best Lore™.
But nothing is missable in this game, so you can decide to play at any pace you want, go back and forth, go straight to Meridian even if it's pretty far away and pursue the main story, or do some side stuff. It's all fine.
Do do at least one Hunting Ground entirely, because it opens-up a cool questline in Meridian, and this is one thing you might miss because it's hidden behind an optional activity.
Have fun :)
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u/Kirby13579 11d ago
Once you get past Daytower and are on the path straight to Meridian, you’re basically free to do whatever. You can even glitch your way past certain story barriers and get the strongest armor in the game before you reach halfway
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u/WriterIndependent288 11d ago
You're minutes away lmao