Do You Need to Play Horizon Forbidden West Before Call of the Mountain?
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The short answer is no, you do not need to play Horizon Forbidden West before diving into Horizon Call of the Mountain. While both games exist within the same universe and share overarching lore, Call of the Mountain is designed as a standalone experience. It tells its own story, introduces its own protagonist, and is specifically tailored for the PlayStation VR2 platform. However, understanding the context and enjoying certain nuances of Call of the Mountain will be significantly enhanced by having played at least Horizon Zero Dawn, and preferably Horizon Forbidden West. Think of it like watching a spin-off TV show – you can enjoy it on its own, but knowing the main series provides a richer, more rewarding experience.
Understanding the Horizon Universe: The Big Picture
To elaborate on the “standalone” nature, let’s break down what that really means. Call of the Mountain features a new protagonist, Ryas, a former Carja soldier seeking redemption. His journey unfolds within the same post-apocalyptic world as Aloy’s adventures, a world teeming with robotic creatures and remnants of a long-lost civilization. You’ll encounter familiar landscapes, machine types, and tribal cultures, all steeped in the established lore.
However, Call of the Mountain focuses on a more localized narrative. It delves deeper into the internal conflicts of the Carja tribe and their complex history, particularly concerning the Red Raids. While Aloy makes a cameo, her presence is more of a nod to fans than a central plot point. The game’s story is self-contained and designed to be accessible to newcomers. You won’t be bombarded with references you can’t understand, or require prior knowledge to grasp the main plot.
The game is designed as a flagship title for the PlayStation VR2. Therefore, the developers prioritized creating an experience that is both visually stunning and mechanically engaging for a VR audience. The core gameplay revolves around climbing, crafting, and ranged combat using the VR controllers, focusing on creating a memorable and immersive VR experience that utilizes the VR hardware features.
Why Playing *Forbidden West* Enhances the Experience
While Call of the Mountain is playable as a standalone experience, playing Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West first provides several advantages:
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Lore Immersion: You’ll have a much deeper understanding of the Horizon universe’s lore, including the history of the Old Ones, the creation of the machines, and the significance of GAIA. This context enhances the emotional impact of Call of the Mountain‘s story and allows you to appreciate the world-building on a deeper level.
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Character Familiarity: Even though you play as Ryas, encountering Aloy and other familiar characters carries more weight when you’re already invested in their journeys. Understanding their personalities, motivations, and relationships adds an extra layer of enjoyment to their appearances.
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Machine Recognition: Knowing the different types of machines, their weaknesses, and their combat behaviors from the previous games will give you a tactical advantage in Call of the Mountain. You’ll instantly recognize threats and know how to approach combat situations more effectively.
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Gameplay Mechanics: While Call of the Mountain introduces VR-specific mechanics, familiarity with the core gameplay loops of the Horizon series (crafting, resource gathering, combat) will make the transition smoother. You’ll spend less time learning the basics and more time enjoying the unique VR experience.
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Appreciating the Narrative Threads: While Call of the Mountain is its own story, it exists within the wider tapestry of the Horizon narrative. Understanding the events of Zero Dawn and Forbidden West will allow you to see how Call of the Mountain contributes to the overall world-building and thematic exploration of the franchise.
The Verdict: Is Prior Play Essential?
No, prior play isn’t essential. But experiencing Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West first will provide a richer, more immersive, and ultimately more rewarding experience with Horizon Call of the Mountain. If you are already a fan of the series, you will benefit the most from understanding the lore and context before jumping in. If you are new to the franchise and want to jump straight to Call of the Mountain due to the VR aspect, it is still a good starting point.
It’s like reading the third book in a trilogy without reading the first two – you can still follow the plot, but you’ll miss out on the character development, the inside jokes, and the overall emotional impact.
Understanding how video games can be used for learning and education can also enhance your appreciation of the Horizon series’ storytelling. Organizations like the Games Learning Society explore the intersection of gaming and learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover how games can be powerful tools for education and skill development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further navigate the relationship between Horizon Forbidden West and Horizon Call of the Mountain:
Is *Call of the Mountain* a direct sequel to *Forbidden West*?
No, Call of the Mountain is not a direct sequel. It runs concurrently with the events of the previous two games, offering a different perspective on the world and its conflicts. Think of it as a side story rather than a continuation of Aloy’s main quest.
Do I play as Aloy in *Call of the Mountain*?
No, you play as Ryas, a former Carja soldier seeking redemption. Aloy makes a cameo appearance, but she is not the player character.
Is *Call of the Mountain* only for VR?
Yes, Horizon Call of the Mountain is a PlayStation VR2 exclusive. You need the VR headset to play the game.
How long is *Horizon Call of the Mountain*?
The main story of Horizon Call of the Mountain is around 8 hours long. Completionists can expect to spend 10-15 hours exploring everything the game has to offer.
Is *Call of the Mountain* worth buying?
Most reviewers and players agree that Call of the Mountain is worth buying, especially for Horizon fans and PSVR2 owners. The stunning visuals, immersive VR gameplay, and engaging story make it a compelling experience.
Does *Call of the Mountain* add to the Horizon lore?
Yes, despite being a shorter game, Call of the Mountain significantly adds to the Horizon lore by exploring the culture and history of the Carja tribe in more detail. It introduces new characters, settlements, and expands upon existing storylines.
Is there a lot of climbing in *Call of the Mountain*?
Yes, climbing is a core gameplay mechanic in Call of the Mountain. However, the controls are intuitive and the climbing is designed to be both challenging and rewarding.
How tall is Aloy in *Call of the Mountain*?
Aloy’s height remains consistent across all Horizon games. She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall.
Can I skip *Zero Dawn* and play *Forbidden West*?
While possible, it is strongly recommended that you play Horizon Zero Dawn before Horizon Forbidden West. Skipping the first game will result in you missing out on critical plot points and crucial context for the world and characters. The story about the “dinobots” and the Old Ones is essential to understanding the narrative of the entire franchise.
Is *Forbidden West* better than *Zero Dawn*?
This is subjective, as Forbidden West improves upon many gameplay elements and features superior graphics. The better is dependent on one’s preference. Some players prefer the narrative focus of Zero Dawn.
Does Aloy have a love interest in *Forbidden West*?
The Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West confirms Aloy’s sexuality with the introduction of a romantic relationship with Seyka.
Can you keep playing *Forbidden West* after finishing the main story?
Yes, Forbidden West offers a significant amount of post-game content, including side quests, errands, salvage contracts, relic ruins, and black boxes to discover. There is a ton of content available, even after the story.
Will there be a third Horizon game?
Yes, Guerrilla Games has confirmed that a third mainline Horizon game is in development.
How long after *Zero Dawn* does *Forbidden West* take place?
Horizon Forbidden West begins approximately six months after the events of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Who is the main villain in *Call of the Mountain*?
The main antagonist is Asera, an Oseram woman seeking revenge against the Carja for the Red Raids.