IMO HZD was not even a good open world game, it doesn’t reward (and arguably often punishes) player-initiated exploration. Also it’s almost unplayable without the very intrusive HUD, because the stuff you have to find is buried in the very busy background, and they don’t use environmental hints much. Except the infamous yellow paint, which is a rather lazy way to do this.
However. Characters and world building are great, and quite unique. And trapping or pinning down machines and exploiting their weaknesses can be satisfying, when it clicks.
It was kind of a curve ball to me, missing some of the stuff I usually consider good game design but making the journey engaging and unique enough that I didn’t mind too much.
The story and worldbuilding were what made the game great, hands down. Other stuff was servicable but quite generic. Well, combat felt kinda unique to me but I’m sure there are games like that - I just don’t play them.
HFW has a mode where the HUD doesn’t show you any of the things you need to find… like rocks, bushes, parts, etc. it’s more immersive and I beat the game with that mode on without too much trouble. Watching my wife play with the normal HUD showed me I probably missed a few things here and there but nothing crazy. I was always able to find enough healing and rocks and I got all the collectibles (I 100%’d it, I just didn’t go back and NG+ on Ultra Hard like she did)
I dare to say the setting is quite unique
And actually has a really good, thought-out story.
Really hammered home the danger of tech bros.
Fuck Ted Faro!
Dashing and daring, courageous and caring!
Wow. What cynic downvotes that reference? Duke?
Yeah, I’d say so too.
IMO HZD was not even a good open world game, it doesn’t reward (and arguably often punishes) player-initiated exploration. Also it’s almost unplayable without the very intrusive HUD, because the stuff you have to find is buried in the very busy background, and they don’t use environmental hints much. Except the infamous yellow paint, which is a rather lazy way to do this.
However. Characters and world building are great, and quite unique. And trapping or pinning down machines and exploiting their weaknesses can be satisfying, when it clicks.
It was kind of a curve ball to me, missing some of the stuff I usually consider good game design but making the journey engaging and unique enough that I didn’t mind too much.
The story and worldbuilding were what made the game great, hands down. Other stuff was servicable but quite generic. Well, combat felt kinda unique to me but I’m sure there are games like that - I just don’t play them.
HFW has a mode where the HUD doesn’t show you any of the things you need to find… like rocks, bushes, parts, etc. it’s more immersive and I beat the game with that mode on without too much trouble. Watching my wife play with the normal HUD showed me I probably missed a few things here and there but nothing crazy. I was always able to find enough healing and rocks and I got all the collectibles (I 100%’d it, I just didn’t go back and NG+ on Ultra Hard like she did)