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Horizon Forbidden West Review Embargo Details

What Will Be The Average Critic Score For Horizon: Forbidden West

  • >95

    Votes: 35 5.2%

  • 93-95

    Votes: 128 19.2%

  • 90-92

    Votes: 261 39.1%

  • 86-89

    Votes: 174 26.0%

  • 80-85

    Votes: 42 6.3%

  • <80

    Votes: 28 4.2%
  • Total voters
    668
Putonahappyface

Putonahappyface

Gold Member
Sosokrates said:
It seems most the geometry and lighting has been retained for the PS4 version.

PS5 enhancements I expect
  • Higher resolution
  • 60fps mode
  • Higher res textures
  • Hero lighting in game
  • Scalable surface detail
  • Scalable foilege
Click to expand...
Do you know what the resolution is for performance mode?
 
THEAP99

THEAP99

Banned
I'm planning on getting this game this week. Been a while since I've played a brand new game at launch and I enjoyed the robots of the first game even though the world and writing lacked.

I'm gonna go with an 88 score ps4 and ps5 combined average.
 
Hobbygaming

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
zuffuel said:
jack-nicholson-yes.gif
Click to expand...

rofif said:
ugly ?! She is cute af


(yes, she is cute in sequel clothed too)
Click to expand...

I'm surprised she isn't nude yet, PC dudes are some freaks when it comes to females in games lol
 
Hobbygaming

Hobbygaming

has been asked to post in 'Grounded' mode.
Danjin44 said:
For me it doesn't matter what reviews it gets, I learned my lesson from the first game, it just not made for me.
Click to expand...
I can understand it. I'm not the biggest fan of the 1st game but I saw the potential for the sequel as it had some good ideas and some good moments

I'm hyped to the max for Forbidden West from what I've seen and read
 
James Sawyer Ford

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
SlimySnake said:
lol i think both DF and NX gamer need to be far more critical of the game’s cross gen roots. I can understand average critics ignoring it since they review the game design and story, but tech reviewers have one job and they need to approach these games two years into the gen with a far more critical eye.

I rolled my eyes when Alex gave Deathloop a pass because it isn’t trying to be a graphics powerhouse. I legit laughed when Richard declared forza horizon 5s next Gen difference when it basically amounted to pc low vs high settings. Last week they were fawning over GT7 for 30 minutes. Like come on, you are the only tech reviewer in town.

When i see the trailers i see fog blocking the draw distance everywhere. Next Gen version shouldn’t have that fog, period. Let’s see if these guys are even remotely critical tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I just want to see you capitulate and admit that a game can both look stunning AND be cross-gen. That's what Horizon is, and that's what GoW:R will be too.

Horizon certainly looks better to me than any next gen exclusive so far.
 
Lupin25

Lupin25

Member
I’m prepared to be BLOWN away.

While most games haven’t really warranted the next-gen premium price hike with their abysmal launches, short-length or lack of innovation,
I’m expecting HFW to be one of the first few games this gen that does
(even though I don’t have to pay for it :messenger_grinning_sweat:).
 
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Isa

Isa

Member
I really liked the first, wish it capitalized on its world more in both story and sidequest design as well as in-game economy and rewards. I got the Plat and had a blast till the end and like many wondered what the sequel would bring. Got it preordered and downloaded, just waiting for Friday. The game is a looker that's for sure, I've been itching for a game to really show off my PS5. Looking forward to just getting lost in the world and seeing all the tiny details. I also love the brighter color palette in this one. Too few games sport them these days, especially more realistic ones.

I really liked the big city and towns in the first game, I really hope we get more world building and quests with the inhabitants. If they nail that then I'll be in heaven. Also cool stuff like the DLC, more tribes and people.
 
C

CityHunter1981

Member
From everything I read and heard, they have listed to the feedback about the first game and improved a lot in these areas. Currently I cannot see any red flag about this game, so a score under 90% would be a real surprise to me.

By the way anyone planning to play on PS4? I have 2 young children, so I have perhaps time to play 1 game every 2 months and didn't see therefore a good reason yet to invest in a PS5. So I will try this on PS4.
 
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SlimySnake

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
James Sawyer Ford said:
I just want to see you capitulate and admit that a game can both look stunning AND be cross-gen. That's what Horizon is, and that's what GoW:R will be too.

Horizon certainly looks better to me than any next gen exclusive so far.
Click to expand...
But I already have admitted that Horizon looks better than any next gen exclusive so far. Several times. If anything, horizon FW proves that the next gen only games havent even come close to maxing out the PS5 power. Both Insomniac and Bluepoint inexplicably targeted native 4k 30 fps, and locked themselves out of precious GPU power.
 
A

ANDS

King of Gaslighting
James Sawyer Ford said:
I think it’s massively better than Ass Creed

The combat in AC is abysmal and the mission variety and story is far worse
Click to expand...

Finishing up HZD before FW and hard disagree. The melee combat in ACV is leagues better than spamming light-attack-light-attack-heavy-attack-critical-strike in HFW. However, if you're in melee combat you've already essentially failed in this game. Still it's not great. Contrast with that in ACV.

If we're just talking about, who has better combat encounters period, HZD wins just because it is more than melee combat, but that hardly means ACV (or ACO or AC. . .O v2.O) had terrible or boring combat.

. . .and hands down the acting and overall writing in ACV is better than HFW. As someone mentioned way too many of the NPC's in HFW are stilted and deliver their lines like their lifeless soulbots. Ashley Burch and Lance Reddick are CLEAR standouts in the game and the story is definitely engaging, but no way is it trounced by what is on offer from HFW, particularly the last two AC's (I haven't played Origins).

Like, I get people love to kneejerk shit on UBI-Openworlds but this criticism feels like wild hyperbole.
 
saintjules

saintjules

Member
Really curious for this game. I don't need to see a lot, but feels like we don't know a whole lot about the game.

Definitely want to see the world map.
 
A

ANDS

King of Gaslighting
saintjules said:
Really curious for this game. I don't need to see a lot, but feels like we don't know a whole lot about the game.

Definitely want to see the world map.
Click to expand...

I believe they have said it isn't going to be much bigger than the first, just more dense. Also the verticality seems to be much improved as well so it is likely going to feel bigger even though the overall map size won't be.
 
SlimySnake

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
ANDS said:
Finishing up HZD before FW and hard disagree. The melee combat in ACV is leagues better than spamming light-attack-light-attack-heavy-attack-critical-strike in HFW. However, if you're in melee combat you've already essentially failed in this game. Still it's not great. Contrast with that in ACV.

If we're just talking about, who has better combat encounters period, HZD wins just because it is more than melee combat, but that hardly means ACV (or ACO or AC. . .O v2.O) had terrible or boring combat.

. . .and hands down the acting and overall writing in ACV is better than HFW. As someone mentioned way too many of the NPC's in HFW are stilted and deliver their lines like their lifeless soulbots. Ashley Burch and Lance Reddick are CLEAR standouts in the game and the story is definitely engaging, but no way is it trounced by what is on offer from HFW, particularly the last two AC's (I haven't played Origins).

Like, I get people love to kneejerk shit on UBI-Openworlds but this criticism feels like wild hyperbole.
Click to expand...
I have played every single AC game aside from Odyssey and Horizon is leagues ahead in pretty much every department aside from maybe graphics where they are pretty much on par with each other depending on which AC game we are talking about. Origins and Unity yes, but Valhalla and Odyssey cant compare.

The combat in AC games is an afterthought. We cant compare the melee combat in AC games to a shooter like Horizon, but in terms of depth, Horizon is leagues ahead. Comparing melee in Horizon to melee in AC is like comparing bow and arrow combat in Horizon to bow and arrow combat in AC. It makes no sense.

AC needs to completely revamp their combat. It has gotten comically bad in Valhalla. I thought Origins was a good reset, but they wasted all that potential when they shouldve just focused on what GOW was doing. Right now, In valhalla, it is simply awful. Hits dont have any impact, no feedback, animations are cartoonish which sucks for a series that had industry leading animations in the PS360 era. Horizon's combat feels tight, responsive, and its enemies are aggressive and fun to fight.

I really liked AC2, Brotherhood, Black Flags, Unity and Origins, but the combat has been the one thing thats been a constant disappointment. The fact that it has only gotten worse is a shame too. I almost wish they went back to how OP they made you in Black Flags and Unity because of how terrible their current combat engine is.
 
Last edited:
SlimySnake

SlimySnake

Flashless at the Golden Globes
ANDS said:
. .and hands down the acting and overall writing in ACV is better than HFW. As someone mentioned way too many of the NPC's in HFW are stilted and deliver their lines like their lifeless soulbots. Ashley Burch and Lance Reddick are CLEAR standouts in the game and the story is definitely engaging, but no way is it trounced by what is on offer from HFW, particularly the last two AC's (I haven't played Origins).
Click to expand...
Hate to pick on you about this because this has been bugging me for a while, but isnt expecting Naughty Dog quality facial animations and cutscene quality direction in a massive 50-70 hour game like Horizon too much?

This game has dialogue trees. It is like expecting Mass Effect or Skyrim to have mocaped cutscene for their dialogue trees.

What sucks is that it seems they have gone and done exactly that. Every NPC in the game has their own cutscenes. even random dudes in the taverns no longer have those mass effect like dialogue trees. It's all mocapped. So they basically made a 50-60 hour naughty dog game. No wonder it took five years to make. They are basically shooting 3 seasons of tv episodes for one game.

What was there in horizon was good enough. you got cutscenes for the campaign missions and major side quests. the rest didnt have much work put in them because who cares. You are going to be killing machines anyway. why do i need to watch a five minute cutscene before i kill a thunderjaw?
 
Dr Bass

Dr Bass

Member
SlimySnake said:
Hate to pick on you about this because this has been bugging me for a while, but isnt expecting Naughty Dog quality facial animations and cutscene quality direction in a massive 50-70 hour game like Horizon too much?

This game has dialogue trees. It is like expecting Mass Effect or Skyrim to have mocaped cutscene for their dialogue trees.

What sucks is that it seems they have gone and done exactly that. Every NPC in the game has their own cutscenes. even random dudes in the taverns no longer have those mass effect like dialogue trees. It's all mocapped. So they basically made a 50-60 hour naughty dog game. No wonder it took five years to make. They are basically shooting 3 seasons of tv episodes for one game.

What was there in horizon was good enough. you got cutscenes for the campaign missions and major side quests. the rest didnt have much work put in them because who cares. You are going to be killing machines anyway. why do i need to watch a five minute cutscene before i kill a thunderjaw?
Click to expand...
So now it's "too much quality"?

Man you complain about everything.
 
Mikey Jr.

Mikey Jr.

Member
I don't think it will crack 90. I hope it does, 100%.

I'm thinking more like 88 or 89.

Then again, deathloop sits at a 88 and I thought that game was gonna give mid 70's, so what do I know.........
 
Last edited:
James Sawyer Ford

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
ANDS said:
Finishing up HZD before FW and hard disagree. The melee combat in ACV is leagues better than spamming light-attack-light-attack-heavy-attack-critical-strike in HFW. However, if you're in melee combat you've already essentially failed in this game. Still it's not great. Contrast with that in ACV.

If we're just talking about, who has better combat encounters period, HZD wins just because it is more than melee combat, but that hardly means ACV (or ACO or AC. . .O v2.O) had terrible or boring combat.

. . .and hands down the acting and overall writing in ACV is better than HFW. As someone mentioned way too many of the NPC's in HFW are stilted and deliver their lines like their lifeless soulbots. Ashley Burch and Lance Reddick are CLEAR standouts in the game and the story is definitely engaging, but no way is it trounced by what is on offer from HFW, particularly the last two AC's (I haven't played Origins).

Like, I get people love to kneejerk shit on UBI-Openworlds but this criticism feels like wild hyperbole.
Click to expand...

All I can really reply is :LOL:

JFC Ass Creed Valhalla combat was atrocious...I never used melee combat much at all in HZ but it's not like it was much better if at all in AC.
 
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kingfey

kingfey

Banned
Mikey Jr. said:
I don't think it will crack 90. I hope it does, 100%.

I'm thinking more like 88 or 89.

Then again, deathloop sits at a 88 and I thought that game was gonna give mid 70's, so what do I know.........
Click to expand...
Gameplay is what matters the most. If your Gameplay is fun, you will get more scores. Infinite got more scores that way.

If HFw gets good gameplay, it would have no problem with 90 metacritic.
 
Mikey Jr.

Mikey Jr.

Member
kingfey said:
Gameplay is what matters the most. If your Gameplay is fun, you will get more scores. Infinite got more scores that way.

If HFw gets good gameplay, it would have no problem with 90 metacritic.
Click to expand...

I haven't played fw, so I don't know yet, but my main worry is "combat is great, graphics are great, but its the same old ubisoft style open world game" type of review that will knock it down.
 
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A

ANDS

King of Gaslighting
SlimySnake said:
Hate to pick on you about this because this has been bugging me for a while, but isnt expecting Naughty Dog quality facial animations and cutscene quality direction in a massive 50-70 hour game like Horizon too much?
Click to expand...

Motion capped for all NPC's? Of course not. However too many of the NPC's are animated as if they drank way too much Red Bull and don't know what to do with their head. They just don't look good at all. And then combine it was sketchy delivery, and the dialogue cutscenes come off bad.

The combat in AC games is an afterthought. We cant compare the melee combat in AC games to a shooter like Horizon, but in terms of depth, Horizon is leagues ahead. Comparing melee in Horizon to melee in AC is like comparing bow and arrow combat in Horizon to bow and arrow combat in AC. It makes no sense.
Click to expand...

Different strokes honestly. I didn't get tired of the combat in ACV or ACO. Other than adding in a more complex "weapon-clashing system" (e.g. Bannerlord or SEKIRO perhaps) I'm not sure how much more oomph they can add in. And, as I said, overall combat in HZD is better simply because, by design, it can be more engaging. That doesn't mean (in my view) AC has terrible combat (for me it is no worse than Dark Souls) particularly with the varied enemies.
 
Fredrik

Fredrik

Member
Sosokrates said:
I dont know AsscreedVal got an 80mc.

I think when games are approaching the 90 mark no one area should be weak.

Not that im trying convince you, but at the end of the day, zero dwans mission are repetitive not very creative and the dialogue and story is really lifeless and dull at times. Some chacaters speak dialogue like mindless atomotons, the story is pretty confusing at times and boring.

People have opinions, but I could show some footage of missions that are just not good aside from the combat.
Click to expand...
Your comment that a 90+ game shouldn’t have weak areas is completely unrealistic. Would you slam the best RPG of all time because the real-time combat is bad? Good luck finding a 90+ RPG then.

It’s an action adventure, the focus should be on the action, and it’s the combat, traps, presentation and incredibly well-crafted and diverse machines and their behaviours that makes HZD shine. Would’ve been my GOTY another year if BOTW wasn’t there in 2017.
 
Sosokrates

Sosokrates

Report me if I continue to console war
Fredrik said:
Your comment that a 90+ game shouldn’t have weak areas is completely unrealistic. Would you slam the best RPG of all time because the real-time combat is bad? Good luck finding a 90+ RPG then.

It’s an action adventure, the focus should be on the action, and it’s the combat, traps, presentation and incredibly well-crafted and diverse machines and their behaviours that makes HZD shine. Would’ve been my GOTY another year if BOTW wasn’t there in 2017.
Click to expand...
If combat was a big part of the game and it was broken then I dont thinknit should score a 90 meta.

This aint the late 90s where ganes were far more genre specific.

Zero dawn is a narritive heavy RPG also, its story director was a story director from fallout new vegas.
Most AAA Games these days are not just one genre, especially open world games.
 
Mibu no ookami

Mibu no ookami

Member
Fredrik said:
Bugs, that’s unfortunate, reviews are rarely updated so now we’ll probably see pre-release bugs lower the score forever even though the bugs has probably been fixed before the rest of us even gets to touch the game. Media needs to adapt to modern times, games aren’t ready to be scored on day 0.
Click to expand...
Or they could just give reviewers finished games since the review score plays a large part in how a game performs…

The excuses for this are absurd.
 
Inviusx

Inviusx

Member
Fredrik said:
Bugs, that’s unfortunate, reviews are rarely updated so now we’ll probably see pre-release bugs lower the score forever even though the bugs has probably been fixed before the rest of us even gets to touch the game. Media needs to adapt to modern times, games aren’t ready to be scored on day 0.
Click to expand...

They shouldn't send the game out for review with bugs then.
 
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