'Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)' is an open-world adventure game set in the far future after some sort of cataclysmic event has taken humanity back to its tribal roots. The world is populated with animalistic machines that roam as nonchalantly as their biological counterparts. It's an incredibly unique and inventive setting, essentially set both in the future and in the past, and it makes for a distinctly spectacular sci-fi experience. There's nothing quite like it. The story follows a young, ostracised woman whose inquisitive nature leads her on a path of discovery that eventually reveals what happened to the world and the role she must play to save it. It's a fantastic narrative, sprawling but disciplined. It doesn't take long for you to become engaged in its enigmatic milieu and it moves towards a blazing finale backed up by the genuinely intriguing answers you're teased with right from the start. The game's side-content is just as compelling, seeing you travel to various tribes and help out those in need. It meshes with the main narrative in a natural and rewarding way, so it never feels like busywork. The actual gameplay takes the form of a somewhat typical third-person, range-based action title. It isn't a shooter, though; its weapons all serve a specific purpose and act more like hunting tools than blunt instruments. Your opponents range from innocent machines to ill-intentioned men, each as enjoyable to battle as the last. The different machines all offer a different challenge and feel like they serve a real purpose within the world. The map itself is large and varied, beautifully brought to life with top-notch graphics. It's a treat to simply explore, especially if you commandeer a horse-like machine and tear across the landscape. Overall, this is an astounding experience. It's compelling, creative and entertaining. 9/10
Review of Horizon Zero Dawn
