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Is Horizon a VR Game? Unraveling the Virtual Reality Landscape of Aloy’s World

The answer to whether Horizon is a VR game is a bit nuanced. While the core Horizon games featuring Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West) are not natively VR titles, there’s a dedicated VR experience set within the Horizon universe: Horizon Call of the Mountain. Furthermore, dedicated modders have created VR support for Horizon Zero Dawn on PC.

This article dives deep into the VR side of the Horizon franchise, exploring Horizon Call of the Mountain, the potential for future VR integration, and answering frequently asked questions to give you a complete picture of Horizon and virtual reality.

Diving into Horizon Call of the Mountain: The Dedicated VR Experience

Horizon Call of the Mountain stands as the official VR entry in the Horizon saga. Developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it was specifically designed as a launch title for the PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) headset. Released on February 22, 2023, it fully leverages the capabilities of the PSVR2 to deliver an immersive experience.

Key Features of Horizon Call of the Mountain

PSVR2 Exclusive: The game is built from the ground up for PSVR2, meaning it cannot be played without the headset. This allows the developers to optimize the experience for the specific hardware capabilities.
New Protagonist: Unlike Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West, you don’t play as Aloy in this game. You take on the role of Ryas, a disgraced former Carja soldier seeking redemption.
Immersive Climbing and Archery: The game focuses heavily on climbing and archery, both of which are uniquely suited to VR. The PSVR2 Sense controllers allow for intuitive and engaging interactions with the environment and your bow.
Stunning Visuals: The game boasts impressive graphics, showcasing the power of the PSVR2 and immersing players in the beautiful yet dangerous world of Horizon.

What Makes Horizon Call of the Mountain Stand Out?

Horizon Call of the Mountain isn’t just a port of the main Horizon games into VR. It’s a bespoke experience. The game mechanics are designed to be best enjoyed with the PSVR2 and allow players to physically climb cliffs and utilize the bow and arrow. The PSVR2 headset and controllers track your movements and actions, creating a more realistic experience.

Horizon Zero Dawn and VR: The Modding Community’s Contribution

While Horizon Zero Dawn wasn’t officially released with VR support, the dedicated modding community has stepped in to fill the void. Luke Ross, a well-known modder renowned for bringing VR support to games like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2, created a VR mod for the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn.

Key Aspects of the Horizon Zero Dawn VR Mod

PC Exclusive: This mod only works on the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn.
Unofficial Support: It’s important to remember that this is an unofficial mod, so performance and stability may vary.
Motion Control: The mod allows for full 3D motion tracking using the VR headset’s motion capture system and hand-held motion controllers.
Immersion: The mod allows for full VR immersion.

Things to Consider Before Using the Mod

Modding can be risky. Before installing any mods, back up your game files. Additionally, be aware that this may also affect game performance, depending on your computer’s hardware specifications. However, many players have reported positively on the mod and felt that it improves the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horizon and VR

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Horizon franchise and its relationship with VR:

Can I play Horizon on VR?

Yes, you can play a Horizon game in VR. Horizon Call of the Mountain is a VR exclusive for PlayStation VR2. Additionally, a mod exists for the PC version of Horizon Zero Dawn that adds VR support.
Is the New Horizon game VR only?

Referencing Horizon Call of the Mountain, yes, it is a VR only game.
Is Horizon Zero Dawn a VR game?

Officially, no. Horizon Zero Dawn was not originally designed as a VR game. However, a VR mod exists for the PC version.
How good is Horizon VR (Call of the Mountain)?

Generally, reviews are positive. It’s praised for its immersive visuals and the way it utilizes the PSVR2’s features. Many consider it a strong showcase for the potential of VR gaming on the PlayStation platform.
Which Horizon game is VR?

Horizon Call of the Mountain is the main VR entry in the franchise.
Can you play Horizon VR on Oculus (Meta Quest)?

As of now, Horizon Call of the Mountain is exclusive to PlayStation VR2. To play the Horizon Zero Dawn mod on your Oculus or Meta Quest, you need the proper Virtual Reality (VR) equipment.
How many hours is Horizon VR (Call of the Mountain)?

The main campaign of Horizon Call of the Mountain is approximately 8 hours long. Completing all aspects of the game may take around 15 hours.
Is Horizon VR (Call of the Mountain) a sequel?

It’s more of a spin-off. It takes place in the same universe as Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, but it tells a separate story with a different protagonist.
Are they making a 3rd Horizon game (mainline)?

Yes, Guerrilla Games has announced that they are working on Aloy’s next adventure, implying a third mainline Horizon game is in development.
Should I play Forbidden West before Call of the Mountain?

Not necessarily. Horizon Call of the Mountain is designed as a standalone story. While familiarity with the Horizon universe might enhance the experience, it’s not required.
Is Horizon Forbidden West only VR?

No, Horizon Forbidden West is not a VR game. It’s a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 title playable on a standard screen.
Is Horizon Zero Dawn VR in PC?

While there’s no official release, you can use a VR mod to play the game.
Do I need to play Horizon Zero Dawn before Forbidden West?

It’s recommended, as Forbidden West builds upon the story and lore established in Zero Dawn. But it isn’t strictly necessary, and Forbidden West does a good job of catching new players up.
Is Horizon 5 VR?

There’s no game called Horizon 5. There is no VR planned as of this writing.
Can I play VR for 2 hours?

VR should be broken up into smaller sessions of about 15 minutes at a time. Extended VR sessions can lead to eye strain and even disrupt sleeping patterns.

The Future of Horizon and VR

While Horizon Call of the Mountain is currently the only dedicated VR entry in the franchise, the success of the game and the increasing popularity of VR technology suggest that we may see more VR experiences within the Horizon universe in the future. Imagine exploring the vast landscapes and battling machines alongside Aloy.

The world of gaming is always evolving. The GamesLearningSociety.org has resources for understanding how gaming and learning are related. The Games Learning Society is a non-profit organization that supports research and education in the field of games and learning. If you are interested in the potential of gaming, then consider visiting them today.

Conclusion

While the main Horizon games (featuring Aloy) aren’t natively VR, Horizon Call of the Mountain provides a dedicated and immersive VR experience. And don’t forget the Horizon Zero Dawn VR mod, which allows players to explore Aloy’s world in a unique and engaging way. Whether you’re a VR enthusiast or a long-time Horizon fan, there’s a VR experience waiting for you in this exciting franchise. As VR technology continues to advance, the possibilities for future Horizon VR games are limitless.

Is Horizon a VR game?